September (San Francisco: hotels, restaurants, air quality)

[tmtex]

Is it cold in September ? Also is that a slower time as far as tourist ?

[Ruth4Truth]

No. September is the hottest month, typically. That's when the annual heat wave hits. It used to last just 2 weeks, but that's not as predictable anymore. It can last longer. And remember; generally, restaurants, attractions, and hotels don't have A/C, though I've noticed lately, that some hotels/motels do have it now.

October's a nice time to visit, too. Far less tourist activity then, and the weather's usually cooler, though again, with climate change, there can be short heat waves in October, too.

You know what I'd recommend, if you have the flexibility in your schedule; plan on a spring visit. You're more likely to avoid any wildfire issues sending smoke into the Bay Area, in the spring. The fall is peak fire season.

[tmtex]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

No. September is the hottest month, typically. That's when the annual heat wave hits. It used to last just 2 weeks, but that's not as predictable anymore. It can last longer. And remember; generally, restaurants, attractions, and hotels don't have A/C, though I've noticed lately, that some hotels/motels do have it now.

October's a nice time to visit, too. Far less tourist activity then, and the weather's usually cooler, though again, with climate change, there can be short heat waves in October, too.

You know what I'd recommend, if you have the flexibility in your schedule; plan on a spring visit. You're more likely to avoid any wildfire issues sending smoke into the Bay Area, in the spring. The fall is peak fire season.

Thanks for the info, basically Sept is about the only open time we can go, plus we have a free AA ticket that has to be used by Dec31.

[davdaven]

September is typically the warmest month of the year in San Francisco. However, wildfires have the possibility of affecting air quality. Be mindful of the convention schedule, which historically drove up hotel rates that month.

[BRinSM]

Keep in mind that warm is a relative word when used in the same sentence as San Francisco. Typically SF is too chilly to my liking, so I'll gladly take a warm day in the city. Having said that, the wildfire smoke is no joke. If you are in town when a fire is happening in points north of SF, it can be unsuitable to be outside. Obviously it's difficult to plan around this, but the fires over the past years have been brutal to Bay Area air quality for weeks at a time.