United States, North America
San Francisco in November
A quiet, crisp month before winter storms. Thanksgiving week is calm and good value.
The straight answer
November is a good month to visit San Francisco. A quiet, crisp month before winter storms. Thanksgiving week is calm and good value.
- Weather
- Cooling, highs near 63F (17C), first rains
- Crowds
- 2 of 5
- Prices
- 3 of 5
What November is like in San Francisco
November is a quiet, crisp month. Highs are near 63F (17C), the first rains of the season arrive, and there are still plenty of clear, bright days. Crowds drop after October, and hotel prices ease. Thanksgiving week, around the fourth Thursday of November, is calm and good value.
It suits couples, food lovers and families who want an easy city trip at lower prices. Pack for a rainy day or two. If you want the warmest and clearest weather, September and October are better, but November is kinder on the budget.
Make the most of November
What is especially good about San Francisco this month.
Thanksgiving week value
The city is calm over Thanksgiving, and hotel rates are often lower than in the months around it.
Crisp, clear views
Between the first storms, the air is clean and the views from Twin Peaks and Coit Tower are sharp.
Food trip weather
Cool days suit long meals, from dim sum in Chinatown and the Richmond to the Ferry Building.
What to pack for November
- A rain jacket
- A warm sweater or fleece
- Water-resistant walking shoes
- A compact umbrella
Our timing tip
Book Muir Woods parking or the shuttle ahead and go on a dry weekday morning, when the forest is quietest.
Book San Francisco for November.
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- Hotels for November
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in San FranciscoOpens a hotel search for San Francisco in November, 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 November. 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 November, quick answers
Is November a good time to visit San Francisco?
November is a good month to visit San Francisco. A quiet, crisp month before winter storms. Thanksgiving week is calm and good value.
What is the weather like in San Francisco in November?
Cooling, highs near 63F (17C), first rains.
Is San Francisco crowded in November?
November is one of the quieter months in San Francisco; most sights can be done without long waits.
Keep planning San Francisco.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in November
Before you book.
Sort these two things first.
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