Simple Tides / Guides / San Francisco Tides

San Francisco Tide Chart

San Francisco Bay runs on a mixed semidiurnal tide — two unequal highs and two unequal lows each day — and in a city defined by its water, the tide table is essential reading for sailors, anglers, and beachgoers alike.

The pattern

The range runs roughly 5 to 7 feet at the Golden Gate and a bit less deep inside the Bay. The mixed pattern means the day’s two high tides are visibly different heights — worth a glance before you assume the afternoon high will match the morning’s. The biggest exchanges of the month come with the spring tides around full and new moons.

Sailing and currents

The Bay’s legendary sailing hinges on tide-driven current: an ebb pouring out under the Golden Gate against the afternoon sea breeze builds the famous steep chop, while a flood tide smooths the ride home. Racers and cruisers alike plan around slack water. Kayakers and paddleboarders should treat the Gate and the Bay’s narrow passes with the same respect.

Crabbing and fishing

Recreational Dungeness crab season (typically November through June) sends pots off the piers and party boats through the Gate, and tide stage matters — strong ebb currents can drag gear. Surfperch and striped bass anglers work the ocean beaches on the moving tides. For tides further down the coast, see our Southern California tide guide.