As I mentioned in last month’s post of things to do in Northern California in December, winter is a great time to visit Northern California. The weather is generally mild, especially on the coast where there can be more sun now than during the foggy summer. Prices are often lower and crowds thinner during this time of year, and despite the bare trees and occasional rainy days, the nature is still beautiful in winter. Here are my ideas for what to do in Northern California in January 2024.
Questions? Let me know in the comments, check out all my California travel tips, or visit me on Instagram for more!
What is the weather like in Northern California in January?
The rainy season is in winter, so it is possible to have cold, rainy days in any part of California in January. But when it’s not raining, you can expect temperatures in the upper 50s or even high 60s in most places. The coast, which is usually socked in fog in the summer, is often clear and beautiful in winter. In the Sierra Nevada (think Lake Tahoe and Yosemite), it can be quite cold and snowy in winter, which is great for snowshoeing and skiing if it’s a good snow year.
Is Northern California crowded in January?
In most places, no. One of my favorite areas to visit in the winter is the wine country, even Napa Valley — you can expect fewer people, lower prices, and more attention from winery staff at that time of year. Toward the end of the month, the yellow mustard flowers bloom, blanketing the vineyards and fields in yellow.
San Francisco is busy during Winter Break (the weeks between Christmas and when school starts again in early January), but otherwise, January is low season in San Francisco.
Be careful with the mountains in January — this is high season for skiing and other winter sports. At this time of year, you can expect traffic, high prices, and crowded restaurants and ski resorts.
What to do in Northern California in January:
See elephant seals:
Through March 31, you can watch elephant seals in their natural habitat at Año Nuevo State Park on the coast between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz. Visitors must take a guided tour. Find out more about the experience here.
Where: Año Nuevo State Park
When: Daily
Cost: $10 for the park day use fee, $7.00 for the tour + $3.99 reservation fee. Kids 3 and under are free.
Flower Market Fair, Chinatown, San Francisco
Every year before Chinese New Year begins, the Flower Market Fair is held in San Francisco. The date changes every year depending on the start of the Lunar New Year; this year, it will be held at the beginning of February. Residents come to purchase fresh flowers, fruit, treats and household supplies to prepare for the new lunar year. Besides seeing the displays of flowers and fruit at the 120+ booths and concessions., you can watch performances of traditional Chinese dancers and magicians.
Where: Grant Ave. from Clay to Broadway and Pacific, Jackson and Washington between Stockton and Kearny in San Francisco
When: Feb. 3 & 4, 2024
Cost: Free
Go where the snow is:
Northern Californians love to spend time in the snow in the winter, and as of now, there’s snow at one of the state’s most popular snow destinations, Lake Tahoe. Yosemite is also blanketed in snow at this time of year and is rarely crowded in winter. Find out how you can go snowshoeing near Tahoe and what to pack for Lake Tahoe in the winter.
Where: Snowshoeing around Lake Tahoe: Camp Richardson, Donner Lake State Memorial Park, Ed Z’berg State Park
When: Anytime there’s snow on the ground, but it’s best when the snow is fresh
Cost: Free + state park entrance fees + cost to rent snowshoes
Besides Tahoe and Yosemite, Lassen National Park offers wonderful opportunities for fun in the snow with its ranger-led snowshoe walks on Saturdays and Sunday afternoons. The cost of the walks is covered by your park entrance ticket, and snowshoes are available free of charge to participants. Children must be at least 8 years of age. More information here.
Where: Lassen National Park
When: Saturdays and Sundays 1:30-3:30 beginning January 6-March 31
Cost: Free with park entrance
Whale watching:
Winter is the time to witness migrating whales in the water just off the coast of Northern California. Every year approximately 20,000 gray whales make the long journey between Alaska and Mexico and back. Try walking at Bodega Head (the cliffs at Bodega Bay) or the lighthouse at Point Reyes National Seashore for the best chances to see whales. At both locations, docents keep track of whale sightings and are available to answer questions.
You can also try a boat tour to see whales in the Mendocino, San Francisco and Monterey areas. Try Fast Raft in Monterey for a small group experience.
Where: anywhere along the coast, but get high up on cliffs for the best views (Fort Ross, Bodega Head). Point Reyes is especially known for whale watching because the peninsula sticks so far out in the sea.
When: now through early March
Cost: free, unless you book a whale watching boat tour
Winter in the Wineries Passport in Calistoga:
The Winter in the Wineries Passport is an unusually affordable way to experience Napa Valley wine country. The passport allows you tastings at 16 wineries in the northernmost part of Napa Valley and discounts at participating restaurants, lodging, and more. Plus it’s smart to visit Napa Valley in the winter — low season means lower prices, fewer crowds and bright yellow mustard in the vineyards.
Where: Calistoga, the northernmost town in Napa Valley
When: Through February 4, 2024
Cost: $75 for the passport (an amazing value!)
Dine Downtown Sacramento:
Sacramento has a serious food scene that is becoming increasingly noticed. In fact, Southwest: The Magazine named Sacramento the “Next Great American Food City” (although we locals already knew that!). If you’d like to try some of the best restaurants, the annual Dine Downtown Restaurant Week is the time to do it.
30 participating restaurants are offering a special 3-course menu, and some of the proceeds go to local social services and food literacy programs. Many of Sacramento’s best restaurants are participating. Find out more here.
Where: Downtown and Midtown Sacramento
When: January 12-21, 2024
Cost: $45 for a 3-course, prix fixe menu
Nightlife Events at the CA Academy of Sciences, San Francisco
Nightlife events at the California Academy of Sciences allow visitors 21+ to visit the museum for a special evening every Thursday, each with a different theme. Learn more here.
Where: California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
When: Now through Feb. 2024
Cost: Admission starts at $21
Botticelli Drawings Exhibition
The Legion of Honor’s show of drawings from Italian Renaissance master Sandro Botticelli runs through February 11, 2022. This first exhibition ever dedicated to his drawings allows viewers to see the span of his magnificent career, beginning when he studied under Fra Filippo Lippi and ending with the work of his large workshop in Florence.
Plus, visiting the Legion of Honor is a joy! The grand architecture and collection of fine art including Rodin sculptures make this museum one of the finest to visit in the state. More info here.
Where: Legion of Honor, San Francisco
When: through Feb. 11, 2024
Cost: $32 for adults (this covers admission to the rest of the museum) + parking. Ticket discounts are offered for seniors, students, and children.
For many more ideas of what to do in California in January, check out all my California Travel Tips.
So many great things to do! I recognize the photo of Grange – had many great meals there!
Yes! It’s a beautiful restaurant with delicious food!
Great post! Thanks, Jenna.
Thanks for sharing this post, this is really very nice and amazing. I also want to explore this part of the World.
Very great post about the many things to do in Northern California in January! These looks very nice pictures. Thank you so much for sharing a beautiful post.
I’m so excited about the Thiebaud exhibit! We missed the opening last week, but I plan to make it out as soon as possible!
Me too! Hoping to get there over the next week or two.