USDA hardiness zone lookup
San Francisco (94102) — USDA Zone 10a
San Francisco, California · 365-day growing season
Frost dates and growing season for 94102
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 10a |
|---|---|
| Average last spring frost | frost rare |
| Average first fall frost | frost rare |
| Growing season length | ~365 days |
| Temperature range (F) | 30 to 40°F |
| Temperature range (C) | -1 to 4°C |
These are 50%-probability averages modeled from this ZIP's USDA hardiness zone and regional climate normals — not a single-station reading. In a typical year the last spring frost will have passed by frost rare, but in a colder-than-average year it can run 1-2 weeks later. Plant tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) once both soil and night temperatures are consistently warm — a thermometer beats the calendar.
Growing season in San Francisco
San Francisco, California sits in USDA Zone 10a, with roughly 365 frost-free days between an average last spring frost around frost rare and a first fall frost around frost rare. That is a near year-round season — the limiting factor is summer heat, not frost, so schedule cool-season crops for winter and protect tender ones from extreme highs. San Francisco lies near 37.8°N; higher-latitude gardens get longer midsummer days but a tighter shoulder season at this zone. As a large metro, the built-up core here typically runs up to half a zone warmer than outlying suburbs through the urban heat-island effect — sheltered city gardens often push tender crops a little earlier than the ZIP average suggests.
What grows in San Francisco
San Francisco falls in USDA Zone 10a, which means the same hardiness constraints apply as the full Zone 10 guide. Vegetables, herbs, and fruit trees rated to Zone 10a (or hardier) will overwinter here in a typical year.
- Tomatoes (winter crop, summer break)
- Citrus (full range)
- Avocado
- Mango, papaya, passion fruit
- Banana
- Pineapple
- Tropical herbs (lemongrass, Thai basil)
- Sweet potatoes
- Eggplant (year-round)
- Hot peppers
What to plant in San Francisco this week
Warm-season tropicals do well in San Francisco right now. Watch for midsummer heat stress on tomatoes — short-day varieties or shade cloth help.
- When to plant tomatoes in zone 10
- When to plant peppers in zone 10
- When to plant basil in zone 10
- When to plant cucumbers in zone 10
- When to plant summer squash in zone 10
Full planting calendar for San Francisco
Crop-by-crop sowing, transplant, and harvest dates calibrated to zone 10 averages:
- When to plant tomatoes in zone 10
- When to plant peppers in zone 10
- When to plant basil in zone 10
- When to plant garlic in zone 10
- When to plant lettuce in zone 10
- When to plant bush beans in zone 10
- When to plant cucumbers in zone 10
- When to plant summer squash in zone 10
- When to plant peas in zone 10
- When to plant carrots in zone 10
Local microclimate notes
Zone tables give you the average — but San Franciscogardens vary. South-facing walls and paved areas can run a full half-zone warmer than the published rating. Low-lying spots, frost pockets, and shaded north sides can run colder. If you've gardened here a few seasons, your own frost record (the last time you actually got frost damage) is more accurate than any national average.
Source and methodology
Hardiness zone from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023 revision). Frost-date and growing-season figures are modeled from this ZIP's USDA hardiness zone and regional NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals — they are zone-level estimates, not a per-station record, so treat them as planning guidance and confirm against your own local frost history. Crop recommendations are drawn from US Cooperative Extension references and curated by the Growli editorial team. Last reviewed May 2026.
Nearby ZIP codes in California
- 90001 — Los Angeles (Zone 10a)
- 90014 — Los Angeles (Downtown) (Zone 10b)
- 90210 — Beverly Hills (Zone 10b)
- 90291 — Venice (Zone 10b)
- 91101 — Pasadena (Zone 10a)
- 92101 — San Diego (Zone 10b)
- 92008 — Carlsbad (Zone 10b)
- 92602 — Irvine (Zone 10b)
- 92626 — Costa Mesa (Zone 10b)
- 94110 — San Francisco (Mission) (Zone 10a)
- 94705 — Berkeley (Zone 10a)
- 94611 — Oakland (Zone 10a)
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