What to Wear in San Francisco in Spring: Month-by-Month Outfit Guide
San Francisco in spring sits in the 55 to 65°F range. This is the layer-by-layer outfit guide for San Francisco's spring weather — what to wear, what to pack for a visit, and the local context that shapes the recommendations.
WHAT TO EXPECT
San Francisco in spring — March, April, May. March through May. Similar to winter but drier. 55-65°F. Layered tops, jacket. The fog that defines SF summer starts arriving in May. The temperature range is the headline; what you actually feel depends on humidity, wind, and what indoor spaces you'll cycle through.
THE FOUNDATION LAYER
A standard cotton or synthetic shirt is fine. The base layer is conversation-piece territory — not survival.
THE MID LAYER
Optional. A light cardigan or unstructured blazer handles cool mornings and air-conditioned interiors.
THE OUTERWEAR
Optional. A linen blazer or light overshirt handles cool evenings and indoor air conditioning.
ACCESSORIES
A scarf for cool mornings, a packable umbrella, and shoes you can walk in for an hour.
WHAT TO PACK FOR A TRIP TO SAN FRANCISCO IN SPRING
Three layer permutations covering the 55 to 65°F range, plus accessories. If your trip spans the season's edge (late February or early June), pack toward the cooler end of the range — overestimating warmth is easier to recover from than underestimating.
LOCAL CONTEXT
Layer aggressively. Always pack a sweater and a windbreaker, even in July. Microclimates are extreme — Mission can be 15°F warmer than Outer Sunset on the same day.