What April feels like in San Francisco
Mid-spring arrives in San Francisco with April. Expect cool, jacket-on afternoons — comfortable for a long walk. Little changes after sunset — nights are cool, only slightly below the daytime level. Damp air makes the cold feel rawer than the numbers alone suggest.
Rain in San Francisco in April
Rain turns up now and then — about one day in 8. Each rainy day adds about 8.6 mm (0.3 in), a proper wetting rather than a sprinkle. The yearly figure is similar, around 9.6 mm per wet day.
Daylight and sunshine in April
In mid-April, sunrise is at about 6:36 am and sunset at about 7:44 pm (local time) — 13 h 8 min of daylight. The days are stretching out — 1 h 15 min more daylight than mid-March. The sun is out for roughly 88% of those daylight hours, so skies are mostly clear.
How April compares to the rest of the year
In San Francisco's temperature order, April sits as the 5th coolest month. Against March, the average high is 1.2°C (2.2°F) higher, with 48 mm less rain. Temperatures keep climbing into May. By May, typical highs are 18°C (64.4°F).
Who April suits
- Sightseeing: a good fit — the weather rarely gets in the way of a city walk.
- Parks & outdoor: a good fit — comfortable for long walks and picnics.
- Beach: less ideal — the sea air is too cool.
Tips for visiting San Francisco in April
Light Jacket
A light jacket or knit layer is enough for most of the day.
Sunglasses
Plenty of sun, so bring sunglasses and a cap.
Quick questions
How warm is San Francisco in April?
Expect around 16.4°C (61.5°F) in the afternoon and 9.4°C (48.9°F) at night, which most visitors would call cool.
Does it rain a lot in San Francisco in April?
Only moderately: roughly 4 wet days and 34 mm, usually moderate rain.
What should I wear in San Francisco in April?
The numbers point to a light jacket and sunglasses. Evenings feel similar to the day, so the same clothes work from morning to night.
Is April or May better for visiting San Francisco?
On our 12-month climate ranking, May comes out ahead (#5 of 12 vs #7). May is warmer and has fewer rainy days.