Average Monthly Sunshine in San Francisco (CA)

The graphs on this page shows the average number of hours per month and per day that San Francisco receives direct sunlight. The numbers are calculated over a 30-year period to provide a reliable average.

Monthly hours of sunshine

If you're visiting San Francisco, timing is key. In May, you can enjoy up to 324 hours of sunshine, while the shorter days of December provide just 160 hours. The total annual amount of sun is 3058 hours.

Daily hours of sunshine

Seasonal changes in sunshine hours are quite obvious in San Francisco. While May receives considerable daily sunshine with up to 10.8 hours, December marks the darkest time of the year, where sunshine is scarce with only 5.3 hours of sunlight per day.

San Francisco’s total hours of sunshine compared to other major cities

San Francisco enjoys an average of 3058 hours of sunshine annually. Let’s compare this with some popular tourist destinations:

In Lisbon, Portugal, there are approximately 2801 hours of sunshine annually, highlighting its warm and sunny Mediterranean climate.

In contrast, London, UK, receives only about 1659 hours of sunshine per year, known for its frequently overcast and rainy skies.

In Chicago, USA, the annual sunshine averages 2520 hours, contributing to its humid continental climate.

In Tokyo, Japan, the average annual sunshine is 1930 hours, with sunny periods between rainy seasons.

Other climate information

December, San Francisco’s wettest month, receives 3.4 mm of rainfall and has a maximum daytime temperature of 14°C. During the driest month July you can expect a temperature of 22°C.

For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, check out our Temperature page. To explore more about precipitation patterns, visit our San Francisco Precipitation page.