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San Francisco in April: Tips to Plan Your Vacation to the City by the Bay
by Jill Loeffler •
Are you planning a trip to San Francisco in April? It's a great time to visit!
In this guide, you will find everything you need for your trip including details on what to expect from the weather and tips on what to wear while you are here.
This month, you will find several fun annual events including the Cherry Blossom Festival, the SF Independent Film Festival, and the Opening Day on the Bay too.
It's also the start of the SF Giants Baseball season, a great time to visit the blossoming Botanical Gardens, and the perfect weather for a cruise around the SF Bay.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
April Weather & What to Wear
The weather in April is mild and cool. You will find temperatures during the day in the mid-60s. At night, it dips down into the upper 50s.
I often wear layers in April. You will find that the temperature can vary by about 10 degrees during the day depending on which part of SF you are visiting.
If you plan on taking a bay cruise, you will find that it's cooler on the water and you will need your jacket. Don't be fooled by the warm temps on land as the wind will cool you down quite a bit as you cruise around the SF Bay.
I typically wear a light shirt or T-shirt and carry a light jacket or sweater (one I can wrap around my waist). I typically put on and take off my jacket several times throughout the day.
>> Find additional details on the weather in April
April Events Calendar
My April events calendar will give you the dates and exact details for all events this month. You can find out more about the Cherry Blossom Festival, what's playing during this month's film festivals, and discover information for the free Bay Area Dance Week performances.
>> Click here to check out the April events calendar
April Concerts Calendar
In San Francisco in April, you will find dozens of concerts. SF is home to several medium to small venues that bring in world class performers from around the world. You will also find many up and coming acts, as well as popular local bands.
>> SF's April Concert Calendar
Top Hotels in Fisherman's Wharf
One of the top places to stay in San Francisco is in Fisherman's Wharf. This district is near the waterfront and perfect for those that want to spend some time on the water. Here are some of the top recommendations.
>> Additional Fisherman's Wharf hotel recommendations
April Tour Recommendations
April is a great month to head out on an SF Bay cruise. You will also find several other fun tours this month too including guided walking tours, food tours, and whale watching cruises. In addition, you can head north to wine country or head south to Monterey and Carmel.
>> Find a full list of SF tours here
April Broadway Shows & Theater
You will find several Broadway shows in San Francisco in April. SF has several theaters. You will find large productions such as Wicked, the Book of Mormon, and the Lion King. You will also find small, local productions at several intimate venues.
>> Find the April Broadway Show & Theater calendar
Alcatraz Tickets & Visiting Tips
If you are visiting SF for the first time, then you must visit Alcatraz. This former federal prison was home to many famous criminals including Al Capone, Robert "The Birdman" Stroud, and the Anglin Brothers.
In April, you will need to book your tickets early as they often sell out. You are able to book them 90 days in advance.
>> Find additional tips for booking your tickets to Alcatraz
Other Top Attractions
In addition to Alcatraz, there are several other top attractions to visit. They include the California Academy of Sciences, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Aquarium of the Bay. Many people also enjoy the Exploratorium, the Palace of Fine Arts, and Lombard Street.
The great part is that some of these are free. For others, you can buy your tickets in advance, so you don't have to wait in line when you arrive.
>> Find an entire list of attractions in SF
SF Giants Baseball
The SF Giants baseball team opens their regular season play at Oracle Park in April. They typically play around 10 home games in April against teams such as the Colorado Rockies, the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Chicago Cubs.
>> Full SF Giants schedule in April
Free Museum Days
In April, you will find several opportunities to visit SF's museums for free. Many offer free days toward the beginning of the month. It's a great way to save on your visits to the Asian Art Museum, the de Young, and the Conservatory of Flowers.
>> See April's schedule of free museum days in San Francisco
Museum Exhibit Schedule
In San Francisco in April, you will also find some great traveling exhibits at SF's top museums. My schedule includes details for top museums such as the Legion of Honor, the Contemporary Jewish Museum, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
>> See April's museum exhibit schedule
Free Things to Do
One of the things I love about SF is that we have many free attractions, museums, and events. The SF Public Library and SF City Guides also offer free walking tours every day of the week! Click the link below for an entire list of free activities in SF.
Restaurant Recommendations
SF is also a food lovers paradise. The city has more than 3,500 restaurants! That's right, you will never run out of places to eat. To help you get started with planning, I've pulled together lists of some of the best places to dine. You will find popular places to grab a fancy dinner as well as the best places to cheap eats.
There are also top options by cuisine, so you know where to go to find the best bowl of pasta, stop in for a quick slice of pizza, and where to find a great Margarita!
>> Find my recommendations on where to eat during your stay
Self-Guided Itineraries
I've also pulled together many itineraries to make your planning easier. I've created one, two, three, and other multiple day itineraries so you can see how easy it is to squeeze quite a bit in one day. You will also find tips for fully covering each district in just one day.
>> See my self-guided itineraries
More Pages You Might Enjoy
Beer Festivals: Every year, you will find several fun beer festivals in San Francisco. They include the annual Oktoberfest celebration, Brews on the Bay, and the Craft Beer Festival. Click here for a calendar of all beer festivals in SF each year.
Food Festivals: We also love our food! This is why our food festivals are so popular. Each year, you can sample food at Eat Drink SF, the Street Food Festival, or Oysterfest at Golden Gate Park. Click here for a full list of food festivals in SF.
Festival Calendar: Find a full calendar of SF's festivals and street fairs. It's listed by month, so you can easily find those in San Francisco in April. Click here to check out this year's calendar.
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
I would love for you to join me in my private Facebook group!
It's a great place to interact with me and others who know the area well.
You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. It's a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit!