• Typical temperatures: Highs in the mid 60s °F, lows around 50°F (approximate)
• Rain: Increasing; the wet season begins, with storms and clear days between them
• Daylight: Clocks fell back Sunday, November 1; sunset is about 4:50 p.m.
• Crowd level: Medium; high around Thanksgiving weekend
• Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 26, 2026

Layers: a light sweater or fleece plus a windproof jacket.

A waterproof jacket or compact umbrella.

Comfortable walking shoes with grip for hills.

A scarf for the wind at the Golden Gate Bridge and the waterfront.

A small bag that closes securely.

Recurring seasonal events and holidays. Dates move year to year, confirm with the organizer.

• Union Square Christmas tree. A live tree is returning to Union Square for the first time in many years with lights typically beginning in mid November and running through the holidays. Check the Union Square Alliance for the date.
• Lightscape at the San Francisco Botanical Garden typically opening in late November; confirm dates and ticket availability.
• Thanksgiving Thursday, November 26. A popular Thanksgiving-morning Turkey Trot is held in Golden Gate Park; many restaurants run special menus.
• Nob Hill tree lighting at Huntington Park Monday, November 30, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with music and snacks.
• Holiday windows and the Union Square ice rink typically open in the second half of November; confirm dates. Holiday windows and the Union Square ice rink typically open in the second half of November; confirm dates.
• Golden Gate Park holiday tree lighting at McLaren Lodge Thursday, December 3. Just outside November, but worth planning around.
• Dungeness crab season. The commercial season has been delayed until at least January 1 because of whale migration so local Dungeness crab may not be on menus for Thanksgiving. Recreational crabbing opened in early November.

Calmest: early to mid November, midweek. Busiest: Thanksgiving weekend and the Union Square holiday kickoff. Book ahead: Alcatraz tickets, Muir Woods reservations, Thanksgiving dinner and popular restaurants. Getting around: Muni and BART run reduced schedules on Thanksgiving; check ahead.

First storms bring rain and green hills; clear days afterward have great visibility.

Earlier sunset brings the city lights on sooner.

Wildfire smoke is less common than in September and October.

Fewer fog days than summer, though morning fog still happens.

Walk or bike the Golden Gate Bridge on a clear day.

Take the ferry to Alcatraz (book ahead).

Visit Golden Gate Park's museums and gardens.

Eat at the Ferry Building and in the Mission.

See the Union Square tree and holiday windows once they open.

Full San Francisco visitor guide

Day 1: Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf, the Ferry Building and a cable-car ride to North Beach for dinner.

Day 2: The Golden Gate Bridge and Presidio, Golden Gate Park, and an evening in Hayes Valley or at Union Square for the lights.