November San Francisco Weather: What Most People Get Wrong

You’ve probably heard the Mark Twain quote about the coldest winter being a summer in San Francisco. It’s a classic. It’s also kinda misleading if you’re planning a trip for later in the year. While the rest of the country is bracing for first snows or raking piles of crunchy leaves, November san francisco weather is doing its own weird, beautiful, and occasionally soggy thing.

Honestly, November is a bit of a transition month. It's the moment the city shakes off its "Secret Summer"—those gorgeous, clear October days—and starts flirting with the rainy season.

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The Temperature Reality Check

Don’t expect a tropical getaway. But don't pack for the Arctic, either.

On a typical day, you’re looking at highs around 63°F and lows that dip to about 49°F. It sounds mild on paper. In reality, the humidity and the breeze coming off the Pacific can make 55 degrees feel like 40 if you aren’t prepared. The sun sets early—we're talking roughly 5:00 PM—and once it drops behind the horizon, the temperature falls fast.

One minute you’re enjoying a lukewarm coffee in the Mission district feeling totally fine in a t-shirt, and the next, a wall of damp air hits you and you’re suddenly shivering. That's just the city's personality.

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Rain: The Wild Card

November is when the "Wet Season" technically kicks off. Historically, the city sees about 2.1 inches of rain throughout the month.

Is it a monsoon? No.

But you’ll likely see about seven days of measurable precipitation. The beginning of the month is usually drier, while the end of November—right around Thanksgiving—tends to get much cloudier. We’ve had years where it's nothing but crisp blue skies, and others where atmospheric rivers decide to park themselves over the Golden Gate Bridge for three days straight.

Basically, you have to gamble a little.

Neighborhood Microclimates

San Francisco is essentially 46 square miles of topographical chaos. The weather in one neighborhood rarely matches the weather in another.

• The Sunset and Richmond: These are on the ocean side. Expect more wind, more mist, and cooler temps.
• The Mission and Castro: These areas are "sun-sheltered" by the hills. They are often 5 to 10 degrees warmer than the coast.
• The Financial District: Tall buildings create wind tunnels. Even on a sunny day, the shadows between skyscrapers stay chilly.

What to Actually Pack

If you bring a heavy parka, you’ll look like a tourist and you’ll be sweating by noon. If you only bring hoodies, you’ll be miserable by 6:00 PM.

1. Layers are everything. Wear a base layer, a light sweater, and a windproof/waterproof shell.
2. Shoes with grip. San Francisco hills are legendary, and when those sidewalks get wet, they become incredibly slick. Leave the flip-flops at home.
3. A packable umbrella. Don’t bother with the giant golf umbrellas; the wind will just turn them inside out.

Is it Worth Visiting?

Despite the risk of a drizzle, November is actually one of the best times to see the city without the summer crush. The "Karl the Fog" (the thick, summer marine layer) is mostly gone. This means when it is clear, the visibility is insane. You can see all the way across the Bay to Mount Diablo.

Plus, the light in November has this golden, low-angle quality that makes the Victorian houses in Alamo Square look like a painting. It’s quieter. It’s moodier. It’s arguably more authentic.

Just keep an eye on the local forecast from resources like the National Weather Service's Bay Area office or local meteorologists who understand the nuances of the hills.

Next Steps for Your Trip:
Check the local event calendar for the Ghirardelli Square Tree Lighting or the Illuminate SF Festival of Light, which both take advantage of the darker November evenings. If the forecast looks rainy, book tickets for the California Academy of Sciences or the SFMOMA early, as indoor spots fill up fast when the clouds roll in.