United States, North America
San Francisco in July
Peak tourist crowds meet peak fog. Book Alcatraz weeks ahead, pack a jacket, and head inland to Napa or the East Bay for sun.
The straight answer
July is a month of real tradeoffs in San Francisco. Peak tourist crowds meet peak fog. Book Alcatraz weeks ahead, pack a jacket, and head inland to Napa or the East Bay for sun.
- Weather
- Fog, wind, highs near 66F (19C)
- Crowds
- 5 of 5
- Prices
- 4 of 5
What July is like in San Francisco
July brings peak tourist crowds and peak fog at the same time. Highs sit near 66F (19C), mornings and evenings are gray and windy, and the western neighborhoods can stay fogged in all day. Hotels are pricey, and Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 are packed by noon.
It works for families whose only window is summer break, as long as everyone packs real jackets. Plan sunny day trips inland to Napa or the East Bay. If you have a choice, September or October gives you warmer, clearer days and smaller crowds.
Make the most of July
What is especially good about San Francisco this month.
Fog over the Golden Gate
July fog pouring through the Golden Gate is a sight in itself. Battery Spencer on the Marin side is the classic viewpoint.
Sunny day trips inland
Napa and Sonoma are warm and sunny when the city is gray, and make a good break from the chill.
Cable cars with fewer waits
Board the Powell lines a few stops up, or ride the California Street line, to skip the long turnaround queues.
What to pack for July
- A warm jacket, even though it is July
- Layers you can add as the fog rolls in
- Long pants and closed shoes
- A warm hat for kids on the ferry or bridge
Our timing tip
Do Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39 and Lombard Street before 9am, and book Alcatraz as soon as your dates are set.
Book San Francisco for July.
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- Hotels for July
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in San FranciscoOpens a hotel search for San Francisco in July, 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 July. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
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 July, quick answers
Is July a good time to visit San Francisco?
July is a month of real tradeoffs in San Francisco. Peak tourist crowds meet peak fog. Book Alcatraz weeks ahead, pack a jacket, and head inland to Napa or the East Bay for sun.
What is the weather like in San Francisco in July?
Fog, wind, highs near 66F (19C).
Is San Francisco crowded in July?
July is peak crowd season in San Francisco; expect lines at the headline sights.
Keep planning San Francisco.
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