San Francisco Weather in March

March weather in San Francisco can be a little bit unpredictable. It is still winter, and that means that it is the rainy season in the San Francisco Bay Area. However, it’s not the rainiest month of the year so there’s a good chance that you may not deal with rain while you’re there in March. Be on the safe side and pack an umbrella as well as clothing that layers well so that you can easily adapt to the variety in temperatures that you may feel walking around the city in this month.

San Francisco in March sees an average of three inches of rainfall. This isn’t much, although it’s more than the city will see again until November. Since March marks the end of the rainy season, it is a terrific time of year to go hiking in the water-rich areas of the Bay Area. One top choice is to cross the Golden Gate Bridge and head north to Alamere Falls, one of only two waterfalls on the Pacific Ocean coast that fall directly into the ocean. Doing this moderately-difficult hike in March gives you ample opportunity to see it when it is at its widest because of the recent rains. Other great trails that stand out after the rainy season include the Matt Davis - Steep Ravine Trail in Marin and the Waterfall Loop at Big Basin Redwoods State Park south of the city.

The temperatures in San Francisco in March are starting to warm up slightly as winter comes to and end but can still be chilly for some visitors. The average low March temperature is 49 degrees and the average high is just 61. Remember, however, that San Francisco is filled with microclimates and you can feel warm in those temperatures in one neighborhood but chilly in the next. Wear several layers of clothing and bring accessories like scarves and hats to help you navigate the changing temperatures as you enjoy San Francisco in March.

Every single month in San Francisco offers some type of unique event for visitors and locals alike. Music lovers may want to check out Other Minds in March. If independent literature is more your style then don’t miss the annual Anarchist Book Fair. Or travel around the world without leaving the city by doing a tasting at the annual International Chocolate Salon. If being more active is in your wheelhouse then sign up to participate in one of the many walks and runs that happen in the area in March. And don’t forget that March is the month for Saint Patrick’s Day; there are plenty of Irish pubs in San Francisco (especially in the Richmond neighborhood) to celebrate that!

In some years, Easter also falls in March. Easter is a flamboyantly fun time in San Francisco. You can embrace your inner child and ride a Big Wheel down one of the steepest streets in the city. You can embrace the hedonist in you and attend the free costumed Easter event in Dolores Park. Or you can do more family-friendly events like the Union Street Easter Parade.

If you just want to do a more traditional tourist exploration of San Francisco, March is also a good month for that. The busy season in the city doesn’t happen until closer to the summer, which means that there are few crowds at main attractions like Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. Additionally, many of the tour operators offer discounts to entice people to check out what they have to offer at this time of year since their traffic is slow. Take advantage of this fact by looking for great deals on San Francisco attractions during a March visit.

March is considered a great time to visit San Francisco. The weather is moderate. Any rain will be light. And it is an off-peak season for tourists so you’ll be able to get some great San Francisco hotel deals.

Do you want to know what the temperature is like in San Francisco in other months of the year? Check out our handy guide.

By Kathryn Vercillo, Copyright SFTravel LLC