The best time to visit San Francisco

San Francisco is a beautiful city any time of year, so no matter when your cruise is, you have a lot to look forward to. Here are some of the weather patterns to expect throughout the different seasons, along with exciting events that may align with your visit.

Rolling hills of wildflowers and bright pink blossoms bring the city to life in the spring. The plants in the city and the nearby hills begin to get green again, and it’s the best time to see all the stunning wildflowers like poppies and yellow mariposa lilies in the area. The weather in the spring is usually in the 60s during the day, with fog, overcast skies and occasional rain. The fog lessens the closer you get to summer, and you’ll get fewer rainy days.

With smaller crowds and pleasant weather, you can enjoy these spring-time events to their fullest: 

• Golden Gate Park Band’s Free Symphony in the Park. Picture full-string orchestras or local big band jazz on an ornately carved stage where you can lounge in the grass. That’s what you get at the Golden Gate State Park from April through October. Plus it’s free!
• Cherry Blossom Festival and Parade. In mid-April, you can enjoy the cherry blossoms in Japantown. There’s even a parade full of taiko drummers, dancers and hundreds of anime cosplayers the whole family will love. 
• St. Patrick’s Day Parade. In March, celebrate your good luck by watching the parade. Mark this Irish holiday by watching the free performances from Irish dancers, a Celtic band straight from Sligo and a full pipe ensemble marching through the streets.

A summertime California vacation probably evokes images of sunshine and balmy beaches, but summer in San Francisco actually looks more like chilly sea breezes and warm outerwear.

Temperatures range from the 50s to the 70s and sometimes into the 80s from June to August. There’s usually still some fog and chances of rain, but these aren't common in July, which is the sunniest month. 

In fact, San Francisco's summer weather is so unusual that Mark Twain once quipped: “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” (So don't forget that jacket!)

A few can't-miss summer events that may coincide with your cruise include:

• Pride Festival. In June, there’s almost always something happening for Pride. Enjoy the parade or even compete in the annual golf tournament. 
• Fourth of July at the pier. Experience this holiday like never before with an all-day celebration on the iconic Pier 39 and fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
• Downtown First Thursdays. Every first Thursday of the month, there’s a free outdoor party downtown featuring martial arts, fashion, street performances and live music.

Break out the T-shirts because San Francisco in the fall is a time to bask in the sunlight. The temperatures typically fall in the 70s or 80s, which means it’s often a warmer time to visit than the summer! There’s a low chance of rain and fog, which means you’ll have clear skies to take in the kaleidoscope of colored leaves as the seasons change. It’s no surprise that fall is often considered the best time to visit San Francisco.

Should you be lucky enough to be in town in the fall, try these events:

• Candlelight concert. This concert series called “Candlelight” includes live music surrounded by hundreds of candles in an intimate church setting. The orchestra will play everything from Mozart to Taylor Swift and Beyonce. During the fall, you can enjoy some Halloween-themed music. 
• Haunted walking tour. See some of the best sites in San Francisco and the city’s remarkable Victorian homes on this walking tour. It’s available most of October and helps you learn some of the spookier history of some of the oldest buildings in the city. Do a ghost tour with a twist and try the haunted pub crawl or the North Beach Italian food experience.
• Christmas tree lighting in Union Square. November is a great time to enjoy the famous Christmas lights and giant tree in Union Square. If you’re there at the right time, you can even watch them light the tree for the first time that season. 

Enjoy twinkling Christmas lights without the snow or cold! The daily temperatures in San Francisco during the winter are usually in the 50s, and the city hasn’t seen snow in nearly half a century. While there’s a good chance of rain and fog (don’t forget your rain jacket!), if your cruise lines up with the winter season, you can take advantage of the smallest crowds and escape the chillier climes of cities like New York or Boston.

If you’re exploring San Francisco before or after your winter cruise, check out some of these experiences:

• Chinese New Year parade. Considered one of the top ten parades by the International Festivals & Events Association, the new year festival is a highlight of February. Watch hundreds of paper lanterns, rows of dancers or even a giant Chinese dragon weave through the streets of Chinatown.  
• Christmas lights at Pier 39. From the end of November to the beginning of January, enjoy spectacular Christmas lights every night.
• The Nutcracker with the San Francisco Ballet. Celebrate the Christmas season by watching dancing rats, twirling sugar plum fairies and pirouetting nutcrackers. Catch one of the performances of the Nutcracker put on by the world-renowned San Francisco ballet company.