United States, North America
San Francisco in August
Outside Lands festival in Golden Gate Park. Still foggy and crowded; inland heat can drive the fog harder.
The straight answer
August is a month of real tradeoffs in San Francisco. Outside Lands festival in Golden Gate Park. Still foggy and crowded; inland heat can drive the fog harder.
- Weather
- Fog and wind, highs near 67F (19C)
- Crowds
- 5 of 5
- Prices
- 4 of 5
What August is like in San Francisco
August is still foggy and crowded. Highs are near 67F (19C), and inland heat can pull the fog in even harder, so gray, windy days are common near the ocean and the bridge. Hotel prices stay high. Outside Lands takes over part of Golden Gate Park for a weekend of music and food.
It suits festival fans and families on summer break who dress for cool weather. Late-summer wildfire smoke from inland California can sometimes affect air quality, so check forecasts. For warmer, clearer days, wait just a few weeks for September, the city's best month.
Make the most of August
What is especially good about San Francisco this month.
Outside Lands
A music and food festival in Golden Gate Park on a weekend in August. Parts of the park close around it.
Muir Woods in the cool
The redwood forest is cool and shady year-round, and summer fog adds to the mood. Reserve parking or the shuttle first.
Sausalito by ferry
The ferry ride across the bay is a hit with kids. Sausalito is often sunnier than the city.
What to pack for August
- A warm jacket and a windproof layer
- Comfortable shoes for a long festival day on grass
- Long pants
- Sunscreen for sunny spots inland
Our timing tip
Book any Golden Gate Park plans around Outside Lands weekend, since parts of the park close around the festival.
Book San Francisco for August.
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- Hotels for August
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in San FranciscoOpens a hotel search for San Francisco in August, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in San FranciscoWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in San FranciscoTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in San Francisco for August. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
What's on in August
Outside Lands
A weekend in August
Music and food festival in Golden Gate Park. Parts of the park close around it.
Things to do in San Francisco
Golden Gate Bridge
Walk or bike across from the south end. The best photo spots are Battery Spencer on the Marin side and Baker Beach. Fog often clears midday.
Alcatraz Island
Tickets sell out weeks ahead in summer and on weekends. The first morning ferry and the night tour are the least crowded.
Golden Gate Park and the California Academy of Sciences
The Academy has an aquarium, planetarium, and rainforest dome under one living roof. A great rainy or foggy day plan.
Exploratorium
Hands-on science museum on Pier 15. Thursday evenings are adults-only After Dark nights.
Ferry Building Marketplace
Go Saturday morning for the farmers market, the best in the city. Weekdays are calmer.
Cable cars
The Powell lines have long waits at the turnarounds. Board a few stops up, or ride the California Street line with shorter lines.
Beat the crowds
- Book Alcatraz as soon as your dates are set. In summer, same-week tickets are rare.
- Visit Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, and Lombard Street before 9am. By noon they are packed.
- Stay outside Union Square: Hayes Valley, the Mission, or near the Presidio give you calmer mornings and better food.
- For sunshine in summer, go east or north. The Mission and the East Bay are often sunny when the western neighborhoods are socked in.
Know before you go
- Nearly everything runs year-round. Winter storms can close coastal trails and delay ferries for a day or two.
- Muir Woods requires advance parking or shuttle reservations. Arriving without one means turning around.
- Wildfire smoke from inland California can reduce air quality in late summer and fall. It varies year to year, so check air-quality forecasts before outdoor plans.
- Large conventions (Moscone Center) can push hotel prices sharply higher for a week at a time. Check the convention calendar when comparing dates.
San Francisco in August, quick answers
Is August a good time to visit San Francisco?
August is a month of real tradeoffs in San Francisco. Outside Lands festival in Golden Gate Park. Still foggy and crowded; inland heat can drive the fog harder.
What is the weather like in San Francisco in August?
Fog and wind, highs near 67F (19C).
Is San Francisco crowded in August?
August is peak crowd season in San Francisco; expect lines at the headline sights.
What is happening in San Francisco in August?
Outside Lands (a weekend in august).
Keep planning San Francisco.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
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