San Francisco weather in October
“Mild and bright — an underrated time to visit.”
Roughly 3 rainy days across the month, on average.
In october, San Francisco settles into its kind, mild rhythm. The city keeps a different pulse than in summer or midwinter, and travellers who arrive with the right expectations are rewarded.
Days average around 21°C (70°F), cooling to 13°C after sunset. Rain is rare enough that you can plan without a contingency. Long days of sunshine reward early starts.
These figures are climatological averages, drawn from a decade of daily records via the Open-Meteo Archive — not a forecast. But they are honest, and they are the sort of thing a good travel guide ought to tell you before you book the flight.
What to pack for San Francisco in October
- •A light layer for cool mornings and evenings
- •Reef-safe sunscreen and polarised sunglasses
- •Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes
- •A small daypack that won't look like a tourist beacon
What to pack for San Francisco in October
- →Breathable travel pantsAmazon · shop this
- →Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50Amazon · shop this
- →Polarized sunglassesAmazon · shop this
- →Universal travel adapterAmazon · shop this
- →Compression packing cubesAmazon · shop this
- →Anti-theft crossbody bagAmazon · shop this
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Where to stay in San Francisco
We don't review individual hotels — plenty of people do that well. What we do is send you to compare rooms in San Francisco across trusted platforms.
Compare hotels on Booking.com→October vs. the rest of the year
How this month compares in San Francisco. Tap any month to read more.
highlighted months are among the best time to visit.
Best time to visit San Francisco
While October has its own character in San Francisco, the data-backed best months to visit San Francisco are May, June, July, August. These months combine the most favourable temperatures, rainfall, and sunshine across a ten-year climate record.
See the full best-time-to-visit guide for San FranciscoOther places with a similar climate right now
San Francisco in October — FAQ
Q01Is October a good time to visit San Francisco?
Is October a good time to visit San Francisco?
Yes — this is one of the best months of the year to visit. In October, San Francisco averages a high of 21°C (70°F) and a low of 13°C (55°F), with 30mm of rainfall across roughly 3 rainy days.
Q02What is the average temperature in San Francisco in October?
What is the average temperature in San Francisco in October?
The average high temperature in San Francisco during October is 21°C (70°F), with an average low of 13°C (55°F). These figures are averaged from ten years of daily records (2015–2024, Open-Meteo Archive).
Q03How many rainy days does San Francisco have in October?
How many rainy days does San Francisco have in October?
San Francisco averages approximately 3 rainy days in October, with a total monthly rainfall of about 30mm. This is based on daily precipitation records where days with 1mm or more of rain are counted as rainy days.
Q04What should I pack for San Francisco in October?
What should I pack for San Francisco in October?
For San Francisco in October, pack layered clothing for changing temperatures, sunscreen and sunglasses, comfortable walking shoes. These recommendations are based on the ten-year weather averages for this specific month.
Q05How crowded is San Francisco in October?
How crowded is San Francisco in October?
Tourist crowds in San Francisco during October are typically moderate — shoulder season, a sweet spot between crowds and weather. Consider this when planning accommodation — prices track crowd levels closely.