June in San Francisco: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

By
Betsy Malloy
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Betsy Malloy
Betsy has been writing about California for nearly more than two decades as TripSavvy's expert on the state.
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Updated on 05/20/19
Golden Gate bridge under the june fog

Daniel Parks/Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0

June can be a good time to visit San Francisco if you're flexible and understand the secrets of the city's weather patterns.

In June, it's unlikely to rain. You'll have lots of daylight hours for seeing all the sights, but it's also the beginning of tourist season, and you'll find crowds everywhere,

If you want to visit the City by the Bay under clear skies, you may be better off to go in the spring or fall, but if you're planning a June visit, read on for what to expect for the weather and what to do during the month.

San Francisco Weather in June

In the summer, San Francisco weather departs from the sunny California stereotype you may have in mind. As temperatures climb inland, heat and geography conspire to pull moisture into the city from the ocean, sometimes resulting in fog so dense that the sun never breaks through it.

San Franciscans get so used to cool weather that a forecast of moderate highs once posted Twitter @KarltheFog to quip: "San Francisco is currently experiencing a heat wave in the mid-70s. Residents are advised to stay hydrated & wear their only pair of shorts."

  • Average High Temperature: 68 F (20 C)
  • Average Low Temperature: 53 F (12 C)
  • Water Temperature: 55 F (14 C)
  • Rain: 0.15 in (0.4 cm)
  • Rainfall: 1.5 days
  • Daylight: 15 hours
  • Sunshine: 10 hours
  • Humidity: 65 percent
  • UV Index: 9

Not only is San Francisco Bay known for morning and evening fog from June to August, but you also need to know about June Gloom, a weather condition that can block sunshine for much of the month.

If you want to compare June weather to other months, check the guide to San Francisco weather and climate. Before you make your final plans and pack that suitcase, check the San Francisco weather forecast a few days in advance of your trip.

What to Pack

Check the forecast for predicted highs and lows, but expect to be packing warmer things than you might have anticipated. Fog is cold stuff, and it's not unusual to see San Franciscans wearing hats, light gloves, and scarves on a foggy evening. It's not very likely to rain, but since you're bringing a jacket anyway, it won't hurt if it's a waterproof one.

With an average high for the month of 68 F, you might be comfortable in shorts on a sunny, windless day, but you might be a bit cold if you're going on a bay cruise or out to Alcatraz. By the time the day's low in the mid-50s is reached, you'll feel better if your legs are covered.

Pack sunscreen and sunglasses. When the UV Index (amount of skin-damaging radiation) exceeds 6 to 7, you need both skin and eye protection.

No matter what, microclimates are real, and layers are essential to staying comfortable as you travel around the city. In California, the style is casual almost everywhere, even in some of the top restaurants but that doesn't mean you should try to go to Gary Danko restaurant wearing a tank top and flip-flops.

June Events in San Francisco

In the United States, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June. To find some fun ideas for good ol' Dad that are a lot more fun than buying him a tie, check our California Father's Day Guide. There's plenty more to do in San Francisco in June, too:

  • North Beach Festival: An Italian-themed street fair, with good food and music. Fun extras include Assisi Animal Blessings and Arte di Gesso (Italian street chalk art).
  • Haight Ashbury Street Fair: Celebrates the neighborhood with arts and crafts, food booths, musical stages, and family activities.
  • San Francisco Pride: A celebration of the heritage and culture of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, with a big parade that's one of the year's best.
  • Union Street Festival: One of the city's oldest street fairs, featuring arts and crafts, food and music — and with a large area reserved for eco-friendly vendors.
  • Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon: No prisoner ever escaped from Alcatraz, but these athletes do, starting with a 1.5-mile swim in frigid waters.

Things to Do in June

  • Summer is the time for outdoor concerts and June through August is the season for the Stern Grove Festival. You can't beat the performers, the price (free) or the laid-back San Francisco ambiance at this outdoor summer concert series.
  • Attend a Baseball Game: San Francisco has one of the prettiest stadiums around. If the San Francisco Giants are playing at home, watching a game is a fun way to spend a few hours. We like to go to afternoon games because it's warmer than night games. Get the Giants schedule here. The Oakland A's play baseball across the Bay. See the A's current schedule here.
  • Go Whale Watching: June is humpback whale season around San Francisco. Find out how, when and where in the San Francisco whale watching guide.
  • When the summer sun goes down, you'll find some fun things that you can't do any other time of year. Check them out in the guide to San Francisco summer nights.
  • If you get caught feeling half-frozen on a foggy day, it's a good time to try one of the real San Francisco treats. Irish coffee first landed on US shores in San Francisco and the bar that introduced it is still going strong. Find out where to get one.

The things listed above happen every year, but they're not all that's going on in San Francisco in June. If you're looking for a fun concert, sporting event or theatrical performance try Goldstar for discounted tickets or check the San Francisco Chronicle's entertainment section.

June Travel Tips