San Francisco in November

With the final curtain call of fall lying just around the corner, San Francisco in November remains ever popular, owing to its still rather pleasant climate and the wealth of exciting cultural events taking place throughout the month. If you’re looking for a great time to explore the Bay Area ahead of the coming holiday season, November is tough to beat.

Visiting San Francisco in November

Average Temperature: 50 - 63°F • Average Rainfall: 7 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 8 hours/day

Though still maintaining its fall popularity, November marks a moment of respite for San Francisco. Between the summertime and holiday season peaks, many consider this to be one of the best periods to experience everything the Bay Area has to offer. Just be sure to book your preferred hotels, activities and venues in advance to avoid any potential disappointment.

With winter on the horizon, San Francisco weather begins to taper off throughout November to a cooler climate, with average temperatures landing somewhere between cool and pleasantly mild. Though you can expect at least one day of rainfall per week, some fairly regular sunshine added to those warmer days makes for some fantastic city exploration conditions.

Things to do in November

Any visit to San Francisco would be incomplete without the obligatory tour of some of its most popular sights. Take a walk beneath the crimson beams of the Golden Gate Bridge – considered the most recognizable bridge in the world – and snap some creative photos of the classic Painted Ladies lining the eastern side of Alamo Square Park, a perfect spot to rest your feet after the challenging hill climb to get there.

One of the most popular areas of San Francisco is Fisherman’s Wharf, a delightful waterfront complex housing a wide range of pleasant activities and venues. Explore the various independent retailers within the Pier 39 shopping center and stop by the classic Musée Mécanique penny arcade. Keep an eye out for the local colony of playful, barking sea lions, too!

While much of the city is fairly easily accessible on foot, a Hop-On, Hop Off Bus Tour offers a much more comfortable and convenient way to get around. Passing by many of the Bay Area’s top attractions and landmarks, the tour allows passholders to hop on and off at their leisure, offering optional audio commentary in a handful of major languages to boot.

Those with any interest in East Asian cultures should explore the likes of Chinatown and Japantown where, among a great deal of fascinating traditional architecture, you can find a variety of charming stores and restaurants serving all manner of cultural cuisine. Stop by the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory to see one of the nation’s favorite after-dinner treats in the making!

History buffs visiting San Francisco in November will be no stranger to Alcatraz Island, home to the nation’s most infamous former high-security prison. Those with the stomach for it can take a boat tour out into the Bay to explore the hostile grounds and chilling cells that once held some of the most notorious criminals in history.

To make the most of the final few pleasant days of the season, take a stroll through the likes of the Golden Gate Park and its stunning Botanical Garden and Japanese Tea Garden, or the somewhat quieter Mission Dolores Park and its remarkable Conservatory of Flowers. If you find yourself with a warmer evening to spare, you can’t beat a romantic sunset atop the Twin Peaks summit, with its stellar views over the iconic San Francisco skyline.

If you’re keen to explore San Francisco’s renowned theater culture, grab yourself a ticket to one of the city’s top Broadway shows. Particularly popular in November is the classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, which typically begins performing just after Thanksgiving. Be sure to book in early, as this one sells out mighty fast!

What’s On in November

Día de los Muertos

Just across the Bay, as many as 100,000 visitors flock to the city of Oakland each November for a major festival held in honor of the Día de los Muertos. Hosted on either November 1 or 2, visitors can expect to enjoy a day of live music, games, fairground rides, great food and cultural activities alongside a variety of creative exhibitions in celebration of the traditional Mexican holiday.

SF Coffee Festival

The Bay Area’s love affair with a good cup of joe is abundantly evident from the many specialty coffee shops spread throughout San Francisco, and never more so than during the SF Coffee Festival. Over several days in November specially curated exhibitors alongside some of the Bay Area’s top coffee roasters come together to share in their craft of the nation’s favorite caffeinated beverage.

Throughout the festival, visitors can sample a virtually endless selection of specialty coffees from around the country, accompanied by a live soundtrack provided by some of the best local bands and entertainment. And if you’re keen to learn more about the process that goes into your morning brew, chat to the many master roasters at their booths and join some of the expert-led panels exploring various aspects of the industry as a whole.

Renegade Craft Fair

Gathering each November in the airy Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion, the Renegade Craft Fair is a veritable paradise for artists and design aficionados alike. Upwards of 300 artists and retailers set up shop each year to exhibit their creations and handmade goods, while a hearty selection of food and drink stands offer a great opportunity to socialize with your fellow creatives.

November Film Festivals

Continuing San Francisco’s cinema-centric trend, November is host to a plethora of cultural film festivals, including the Arab Film Festival, South Asian Film Festival and American Indian Film Festival. Those with an interest in social and environmental issues may also be keen to catch the Transgender Film Festival and the Save the Waves Film Festival.

San Francisco International Auto Show

Auto enthusiasts visiting San Francisco in November as in for a real treat in the shape of the San Francisco International Auto Show. For over half a century now, the Bay Area has been host each year to an incredible display of some of the world’s most impressive vehicles, from classic favorites to exotic sports cars and some of the newest tech in the game.