The 2 Best Allergists in San Francisco, CA
Board-certified allergy & asthma specialists practicing in San Francisco.
If over-the-counter antihistamines stopped working, or your symptoms run for months instead of weeks, a board-certified allergist-immunologist can test what you actually react to and treat the cause. That includes immunotherapy, which lowers your sensitivity over three to five years. Our editors picked the 2 specialists below from the wider California list based on board certification, hospital and academic affiliations, and peer recognition.
Allergists in San Francisco at a Glance
- Specialists listed:
- 2, all board-certified in Allergy & Immunology
- Areas covered:
- San Francisco
- Practices:
- UCSF Health – Allergy & Immunology Clinic
- Local pollen season:
- Cool marine air keeps San Francisco counts below inland California, but acacia and alder start in January and grass pollen runs March through June. Damp winters make mold a bigger factor here than in drier metros.
Compare San Francisco Allergists
| Allergist | Practice | Location | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iris M. Otani, MD | UCSF Health – Allergy & Immunology Clinic | San Francisco, CA | Drug allergy, Antibiotic allergy evaluation, Chemotherapy hypersensitivity |
| Michele N. Pham, MD | UCSF Health – Allergy & Immunology Clinic | San Francisco, CA | Primary immunodeficiency, Food allergy, Skin allergy |
- 1
Iris M. Otani, MD
UCSF Health – Allergy & Immunology Clinic
San Francisco, CA
Board-certified in Allergy & ImmunologyMD, UC San Diego School of MedicineResidency in Internal Medicine, Santa Clara Valley Medical CenterFellowship in Allergy & Immunology, Massachusetts General HospitalMedical Director and Fellowship Program Director, UCSF Allergy & ImmunologyVice-Chair, ACAAI Accreditation and Certification CommitteeEditorial Board, Annals of Allergy Asthma and ImmunologyDr. Otani serves as Medical Director and Fellowship Program Director for the UCSF Allergy & Immunology Clinic, with specialized expertise in drug allergy testing for hospitalized and immunocompromised patients. Her research has transformed the evaluation of antibiotic allergies and chemotherapy reactions, and she sits on the ACAAI Accreditation and Certification Committee.
Areas of focus: Drug allergy · Antibiotic allergy evaluation · Chemotherapy hypersensitivity · Immunodeficiency
Visit practice website → - 2
Michele N. Pham, MD
UCSF Health – Allergy & Immunology Clinic
San Francisco, CA
Board-certified in Allergy & ImmunologyBoard-certified in Internal MedicineMD, UC San Diego School of MedicineResidency in Internal Medicine, UC San DiegoFellowship in Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiDirector of Adult Clinical Immunology, UCSFDr. Pham is the Director of Adult Clinical Immunology at UCSF and leads the Complex Clinical Immunology and Primary Immunodeficiency Transition of Care Clinic. She also heads UCSF's Adult Food Allergy Program and is active in multiple AAAAI and Clinical Immunology Society committees.
Areas of focus: Primary immunodeficiency · Food allergy · Skin allergy · Vaccine immunogenicity · Clinical immunology
Visit practice website →
Allergy Season in San Francisco
Cool marine air keeps San Francisco counts below inland California, but acacia and alder start in January and grass pollen runs March through June. Damp winters make mold a bigger factor here than in drier metros.
Bring dates to your appointment. An allergist can narrow the list of suspects much faster when you can say “this started the second week of April” and match it against what was actually in the air.
- Today's pollen count in San Francisco for tree, grass, and weed levels plus a 5-day forecast
- San Francisco air quality for ozone and particle pollution, which make pollen symptoms worse
How We Picked These San Francisco Allergists
Our editorial team reviewed allergy and immunology specialists practicing across San Francisco and selected these 2 on:
- Board certification in Allergy & Immunology (ABAI)
- Hospital and academic affiliations with respected medical centers
- Peer recognition, including Top Doctor awards and professional society roles
- Practice reputation and years treating allergy and asthma patients
- Coverage across the metro, so the list is not all one hospital system
These listings are editorial picks, not paid placements or medical endorsements, and we have no financial relationship with any provider listed. Availability, insurance participation, and credentials change. Verify directly with the practice before booking. This page is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the best allergists in San Francisco?
Our editors picked 2 board-certified allergist-immunologists practicing in San Francisco: Iris M. Otani, MD at UCSF Health – Allergy & Immunology Clinic in San Francisco; Michele N. Pham, MD at UCSF Health – Allergy & Immunology Clinic in San Francisco. All are board-certified in Allergy & Immunology.
When is allergy season in San Francisco?
Cool marine air keeps San Francisco counts below inland California, but acacia and alder start in January and grass pollen runs March through June. Damp winters make mold a bigger factor here than in drier metros.
See today's pollen count in San Francisco →Do I need a referral to see an allergist in San Francisco?
That depends on your insurance plan, not your city. Most PPO plans let you book straight with an allergist. HMO plans usually want a referral from your primary care doctor first. Call the practice or your insurer before you book.
How much does an allergist visit cost in San Francisco?
A first visit with a specialist typically runs $150 to $300 without insurance, and skin testing for a panel of environmental allergens usually adds $200 to $1,000 depending on how many allergens are tested. With insurance you pay your specialist copay, though testing is often billed separately. Ask the office for a cost estimate and their billing codes when you book.
What should I bring to my first allergist appointment?
Bring a list of your symptoms and the dates they flared, every medication you take including over-the-counter ones, your insurance card, and any past test results. Stop antihistamines 5 to 7 days before skin testing, since they can blunt the results. Confirm the exact timing with the office.
Check San Francisco pollen levels to match your flare dates →Are these San Francisco allergists accepting new patients?
That changes month to month, so call the practice to check. These are editorial picks, not paid placements, and we have no financial relationship with any provider listed. Verify current credentials, availability, and insurance participation directly with the office before you book.
Allergists in Nearby Cities
Before You Call
Start a symptom log this week. Note the day, what you felt, and what the pollen count was. Two or three weeks of that turns a vague “my allergies are bad” into something an allergist can work from.
- Check San Francisco pollen levels today
- See all California allergists
- Read our allergy guides on symptoms, seasons, and relief