What August feels like in San Francisco
In San Francisco, August brings late summer. Afternoons are mild and comfortable for most people in light layers. There is little difference between day and night: nights stay mild, and evenings feel much like the afternoon. Humidity is on the high side, but mild temperatures keep it comfortable.
Rain in San Francisco in August
Dry weather dominates, and an umbrella can mostly stay packed. August is San Francisco's driest month of the year.
Daylight and sunshine in August
Mid-month, San Francisco gets 13 h 40 min of daylight, from sunrise near 6:25 am to sunset near 8:05 pm. Evenings are drawing in — 53 min less daylight than mid-July. The sun is out for roughly 91% of those daylight hours, so skies are mostly clear.
How August compares to the rest of the year
Ranked by average high, August comes out as the 2nd warmest month in San Francisco. Compared with July, afternoons are 0.7°C (1.3°F) warmer, with about the same rain. Temperatures keep climbing into September. The next month's average high: 21.8°C (71.2°F).
Who August suits
- Sightseeing: a good fit — the weather rarely gets in the way of a city walk.
- Parks & outdoor: a good fit — good conditions for sitting outside.
- Beach: a good fit — warm and mostly dry on the coast.
Tips for visiting San Francisco in August
Sunglasses
Bright days make sunglasses worth packing.
Quick questions
How warm is San Francisco in August?
Afternoons average 20.8°C (69.4°F) and nights about 13.7°C (56.7°F) — mild by most people's standards. It is the 2nd warmest month of the year.
Does it rain a lot in San Francisco in August?
Almost never — August is essentially rainless, with no rainy days in a typical year.
What should I wear in San Francisco in August?
The numbers point to sunglasses. Evenings feel similar to the day, so the same clothes work from morning to night.
Is August or September better for visiting San Francisco?
On our 12-month climate ranking, August comes out ahead (#3 of 12 vs #4). September is warmer and has more rainy days.