April in San Francisco is mild and mostly dry: the downtown station averages a high of 63.0°F (17.2°C), a low of 49.7°F (9.8°C) and 1.60 inches of rain on about 7 days. Afternoons turn breezy, foggy mornings start returning to the west side, and about 5 days reach 70°F.
April gets barely a third of January's rain, but it is when San Francisco's afternoons get windy. In NOAA's model analysis, the average 2 PM wind downtown was about 9.6 mph in April, compared with 5.8 mph in January.
What Is April Weather Like in San Francisco?
April weather in San Francisco is spring with an edge: mild, mostly dry days, long evenings and a cool wind most afternoons. April is the hinge month, when the rainy season goes out and the city's two summer signatures, wind and fog, come in.
| Average high / low | 63.0°F (17.2°C) / 49.7°F (9.8°C) |
|---|---|
| Average rain | 1.60 in (41 mm) on about 7 days |
| Days at 70°F or warmer | About 5 |
| Afternoon wind | Breezy; about 10 mph at 2 PM downtown, stronger at the coast |
| Foggy mornings | Returning, mostly on the west side |
| Ocean temperature | About 53°F offshore, near the year's coldest |
| Sunset | About 7:32 PM on Apr 1, 7:58 PM on Apr 30 |
San Francisco Downtown station (USW00023272), NOAA 1991-2020 normals via RCC-ACIS. Wind and fog from NOAA High-Resolution Rapid Refresh model analysis, April 2025 and April 2026. Ocean temperature from NOAA buoy 46026.
Is the Rainy Season Over by April?
The rainy season is mostly over by April. April averages 1.60 inches on about 7 days, and recent Aprils have run dry: 0.17 inch in 2021, 0.24 inch in 2023 and 0.28 inch in 2025. From 1991 to 2020, a third of Aprils brought less than an inch.
Late storms still happen. April 2018 brought 3.91 inches, and the last rain of 0.10 inch or more usually comes around May 24, so a shower or two is still possible. See when the rainy season ends and the wetter month before in San Francisco weather in March.
As the storms fade, the wind takes over.
Why Do April Afternoons Get So Windy?
April afternoons get windy because inland valleys warm while the ocean stays cold, which strengthens the sea breeze. The North Pacific High building offshore adds to the push. In NOAA's HRRR model analysis, the average 2 PM wind downtown was about 9.6 mph in April 2025 and April 2026, compared with 5.8 mph in January 2025, and Ocean Beach ran 11 to 12 mph.
April wind means kites and whitecaps at Crissy Field, chilly shade and wind-blown sand at the beach. Read why in the North Pacific High and spring winds and why the Bay Area has so much wind.
When Does the Fog Come Back in April?
Fog comes back to the west side first in April. In NOAA's HRRR model analysis, the Outer Sunset had fog on 73% of April mornings in 2025 and 40% in 2026, compared with 23% in January 2025, while downtown saw 43% and 30%.
Summer-style fog that sits all day is still weeks away; July 2025 brought fog to the Outer Sunset on 97% of mornings. In April, the gray usually burns off by midday. See San Francisco weather by neighborhood for where it lingers.
Why Is the Ocean So Cold in April?
The ocean is cold in April because the same spring winds push surface water offshore and pull cold water up from below, a process called upwelling. The ocean off San Francisco averages 52.6°F in April and 52.4°F in May, the coldest months of the year, while the shallow bay at Alameda warms past 60°F.
Cold water is what keeps the coast cool and feeds the summer fog. For swimming and surfing temperatures, see Bay Area water temperatures.
What Is the Weather Like for April Events, From Giants Games to Cherry Blossoms?
April events in San Francisco come with mild days and cool, breezy evenings. The Giants' tentative 2027 schedule opens at home on March 25, so April brings early-season games at Oracle Park, where the evening wind off the bay makes it feel colder than the forecast high. See Oracle Park weather for what to bring.
The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival in Japantown runs over two April weekends; in 2026 it was April 11-12 and 18-19. Out on the water, gray whales head north past the Golden Gate, with the northbound migration peaking in March and April; see whale-watching weather.
Is April a Good Time to Visit San Francisco?
April is a good time to visit San Francisco. Days are mostly dry, sunset moves from about 7:32 PM to 7:58 PM, the hills are still green, and crowds are smaller than in summer. Plan for wind: pack a windproof jacket and a warm layer for evenings.
For April plans, check the San Francisco forecast for afternoon wind and the fog forecast before heading to Ocean Beach or the Golden Gate Bridge. To compare April with other months, see the best month to visit.