What to Wear in San Francisco in Summer: Month-by-Month Outfit Guide
San Francisco in summer sits in the 70 to 90°F range. This is the layer-by-layer outfit guide for San Francisco's summer weather — what to wear, what to pack for a visit, and the local context that shapes the recommendations.
WHAT TO EXPECT
70 to 90°F is the typical range for San Francisco in summer (June, July, August). June through August. The famous SF summer. 60-70°F days, often foggy mornings and evenings. Sweaters, jackets, often pants instead of shorts. Tourists in shorts and t-shirts are easy to spot. 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
Lightweight, breathable single layer. Linen, cotton voile, or technical synthetic.
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
Sun hat, UV-rated sunglasses, sandals or breathable sneakers, and a light scarf for over-AC interiors.
WHAT TO PACK FOR A TRIP TO SAN FRANCISCO IN SUMMER
Three layer permutations covering the 70 to 90°F range, plus accessories. If your trip spans the season's edge (early March or late November), 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.