Packing List
March Packing List for San Francisco — What to Wear & Bring
March in San Francisco brings slightly warmer temperatures — highs reach 63°F, lows are 49°F — but 10 rainy days keep the waterproofing requirement firmly in place. Warming afternoons start to appear in the Mission and the Castro while the Sunset District and the waterfront remain cool and foggy. A waterproof jacket, flat-soled footwear, and layering for the 14°F daily swing cover the full range.
Averages 49–63°F, ~10 days of rain
Clothing
March in San Francisco averages 10 rainy days — tied with February as the second-rainiest month — and a waterproof outer layer remains essential for outdoor time in the Mission, the Castro, and the Embarcadero.
SF's March temperatures warm slightly to 63°F but the 14°F daily swing from 49°F to 63°F still requires layering — a lighter-weight sweater works for the warming afternoons in Dolores Park and the Mission District.
March's 63°F highs and the increasing afternoon sun in SF's warmer neighborhoods — the Mission, Noe Valley, and the Castro — make spring-weight long-sleeve tops the right layer for the afternoon hours on dry days.
SF's March rain and the hill climbing throughout the city — from the steps at Dolores Park to the slopes of Twin Peaks — make mid-weight, slightly water-resistant jeans a more practical choice than lightweight summer denim.
March's 63°F highs in San Francisco's sheltered Mission and Castro neighborhoods start to make light spring dresses viable on the warmest days — Dolores Park's sun-trap setting makes it 10–15°F warmer than the Outer Sunset on the same afternoon.
Footwear
March's 10 rainy days and San Francisco's steep terrain — the Haight-Ashbury grades, the steps of Vallejo Street, and the Castro's hills — demand waterproof, flat-soled ankle boots for safe, dry navigation throughout the month.
On dry March days, waterproof sneakers provide the grip and comfort needed for SF's hilly walking itinerary — the climb to Coit Tower in North Beach and the path through Golden Gate Park are both comfortable in waterproof sneakers.
March's warmer, drier afternoons in the Mission and Hayes Valley are increasingly pleasant — flat leather loafers or lightweight flats work for the boutique shopping and outdoor café culture that picks up in these neighborhoods mid-month.
March's 63°F days in San Francisco's sheltered neighborhoods occasionally feel warm enough for sandals — the Mission's street food scene and the Dolores Park lawns are popular sandal-appropriate destinations on the sunniest March days.
Accessories
San Francisco's March rain arrives in both short showers and multi-day atmospheric river events — a quality compact umbrella is the daily essential for navigating the BART stations, the Embarcadero, and Union Square's outdoor shopping blocks.
49°F March mornings in San Francisco — particularly on the Embarcadero, at the Ferry Building, and along the North Beach waterfront — carry Bay wind chill that a lightweight scarf addresses without the bulk of heavier winter accessories.
March in SF brings increasing clear-day sunshine as the rainy season eases — the low spring sun angle creates glare on the city's many reflective glass buildings in the Financial District and on the Bay water at the Embarcadero.
While not as UV-intense as inland California cities, San Francisco's March sunshine on clear days delivers meaningful UV exposure — the low latitude and increasing sun angle from March onward make daily SPF worthwhile for outdoor activities.
Gear
March's 10 rainy days in San Francisco require full waterproofing for outdoor activities — the Golden Gate Park paths, the Presidio trails, and the hill stairs throughout the city are navigated far more comfortably in a waterproof shell than under an umbrella alone.
SF's hilly terrain and March's variable weather — shifting between rain and sun multiple times a day — make a day backpack the most practical carry for managing layers, the umbrella, and a waterproof jacket throughout the day.
San Francisco's hill-intensive exploration requires more hydration than flat-city walking — the climbs to Coit Tower, Twin Peaks, and the Alamo Square viewpoint involve genuine cardiovascular effort that makes carrying a water bottle important.
California's plastic bag ban applies at all San Francisco grocery stores and the Ferry Building Farmers Market — a reusable tote is a practical daily carry for the March Saturday market visits and the city's abundant neighborhood grocery shopping.
Local tips for San Francisco in March
- 1.St. Patrick's Day on March 17th is one of San Francisco's biggest street events — the parade runs down Market Street from Beale to 8th Street, followed by celebrations concentrated in the SoMa district and the Irish bars of the Financial District. 49–63°F March temperatures require layering for an outdoor parade; the evening celebrations go indoors.
- 2.March is one of the best months to visit the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park — the cherry blossoms in the park's Japanese section typically peak in mid-to-late March, and the tea garden's pruned gardens and koi ponds are at their most scenic in spring. Rain in the morning often clears to afternoon sun.
- 3.The San Francisco Flower Mart in SoMa (near 6th and Brannan) is one of the largest wholesale flower markets in the US and is open to the public on weekday mornings — March is peak spring flower season and the market is spectacular with Northern California ranunculus, tulips, and early-season blooms at a fraction of retail prices.