During the yard period to repair battle damage, San Francisco received a general modernization similar to other US cruisers.
 Her forward superstructure was remodeled, with the bridge wings cut back, and most of the bridge windows either plated over or replaced by portholes.
 A large open bridge was built out at the 02 level, and modern SG surface search radar and air search radars added.
 In addition many 20mm and 40mm anti-aircraft cannons were installed.
 On 26 February 1943, she got underway to return to the South Pacific.
After escorting convoy PW 2211 en route, San Francisco arrived at Nouméa on 20 March.
Five days later, she continued on to Efate.
She arrived back in the Hawaiian Islands in mid-April.
She then headed north to the Aleutian Islands to join the North Pacific Force, TF 16, and reached Alaska toward the end of the month.
Based at Kuluk Bay, Adak Island, she operated in the Aleutians for the next ​4 ¹⁄₂ months.
She patrolled the western approaches to the area; participated in the assault and occupation of Attu in May and of Kiska in July; and performed escort duties.

In mid-September, she was ordered back to Pearl Harbor for repairs and reassignment to TF 14.
On 29 September, San Francisco departed Pearl Harbor in Task Unit 14.2.1 (TU 14.2.1) for a raid against Wake Island.
On 5 October, the group arrived off the target area and conducted two runs by the enemy positions.
On 11 October, her task unit returned to Pearl Harbor.

On 20 November, the force arrived off Makin.
San Francisco participated in the pre-invasion bombardment of Betio, then patrolled outside the transport area to the west of Makin.
On the 26th, she was detached and assigned to TG 50.1, joining Yorktown, Lexington, Cowpens, five cruisers, and six destroyers.
With that force, she steamed toward the Marshall Islands to strike Japanese shipping and installations in the Kwajalein area.
On 4 December, the carriers launched their planes against the targets.
Shortly after noon, enemy aerial activity increased, and at 1250, San Francisco came under attack.
Three torpedo bombers closed her on the port bow.
Her guns "splashed" two.
The third was shot down by Yorktown.
But during the attack, the cruiser had been strafed several times.
One man had been killed, and 22 were wounded.
After dark, the Japanese returned, and on that night, Lexington was torpedoed.
The force moved north and west.
Shortly after 0130 on 5 December, enemy planes faded from the radar screens.
The next day, the ships headed back to Pearl Harbor.

On 22 January 1944, San Francisco sortied with TF 52 and again headed for the Marshalls.
On 29 January, the division, screened by destroyers, left the formation and moved against Japanese installations on Maloelap to neutralize them during the conquest of Kwajalein.
Following the bombardment, the ships proceeded on to Kwajalein.
San Francisco arrived off the atoll at about 0630 on 31 January.
At 0730, she opened fire on targets of opportunity, initially a small ship inside Kwajalein lagoon.
At 0849, she ceased firing.
At 0900, she resumed firing at targets on Berlin and Beverly islands.
Through the day, she continued to shell those islands, and, in late afternoon, added Bennett Island to her targets.
During the next week, she provided pre-landing barrages and support fire for operations against Burton, Berlin, and Beverly islands.
On 8 February, the cruiser sailed for Majuro, whence she would operate as a unit of TF 58, the fast carrier task force.

On 12 February, San Francisco, in TG 58.2, cleared Majuro lagoon.
Four days later, the carriers launched their planes as part of Operation Hailstone.
On the night of 16–17 February, Intrepid was torpedoed.
San Francisco, with others, was assigned to escort her eastward.
On 19 February, the group split; Intrepid, with two destroyers, continued toward Pearl Harbor, while San Francisco and the remaining ships headed for Majuro.
On 25 February, San Francisco sailed for Hawaii with TG 58.2.
On 20 March, the group returned to Majuro, refueled, and departed again on 22 March to move against the Wes
During the yard period to repair battle damage, San Francisco received a general modernization similar to other US cruisers.  Her forward superstructure was remodeled, with the bridge wings cut back, and most of the bridge windows either plated over or replaced by portholes.  A large open bridge was built out at the 02 level, and modern SG surface search radar and air search radars added.  In addition many 20mm and 40mm anti-aircraft cannons were installed.  On 26 February 1943, she got underway to return to the South Pacific. After escorting convoy PW 2211 en route, San Francisco arrived at Nouméa on 20 March. Five days later, she continued on to Efate. She arrived back in the Hawaiian Islands in mid-April. She then headed north to the Aleutian Islands to join the North Pacific Force, TF 16, and reached Alaska toward the end of the month. Based at Kuluk Bay, Adak Island, she operated in the Aleutians for the next ​4 ¹⁄₂ months. She patrolled the western approaches to the area; participated in the assault and occupation of Attu in May and of Kiska in July; and performed escort duties.
In mid-September, she was ordered back to Pearl Harbor for repairs and reassignment to TF 14. On 29 September, San Francisco departed Pearl Harbor in Task Unit 14.2.1 (TU 14.2.1) for a raid against Wake Island. On 5 October, the group arrived off the target area and conducted two runs by the enemy positions. On 11 October, her task unit returned to Pearl Harbor.
On 20 November, the force arrived off Makin. San Francisco participated in the pre-invasion bombardment of Betio, then patrolled outside the transport area to the west of Makin. On the 26th, she was detached and assigned to TG 50.1, joining Yorktown, Lexington, Cowpens, five cruisers, and six destroyers. With that force, she steamed toward the Marshall Islands to strike Japanese shipping and installations in the Kwajalein area. On 4 December, the carriers launched their planes against the targets. Shortly after noon, enemy aerial activity increased, and at 1250, San Francisco came under attack. Three torpedo bombers closed her on the port bow. Her guns "splashed" two. The third was shot down by Yorktown. But during the attack, the cruiser had been strafed several times. One man had been killed, and 22 were wounded. After dark, the Japanese returned, and on that night, Lexington was torpedoed. The force moved north and west. Shortly after 0130 on 5 December, enemy planes faded from the radar screens. The next day, the ships headed back to Pearl Harbor.
On 22 January 1944, San Francisco sortied with TF 52 and again headed for the Marshalls. On 29 January, the division, screened by destroyers, left the formation and moved against Japanese installations on Maloelap to neutralize them during the conquest of Kwajalein. Following the bombardment, the ships proceeded on to Kwajalein. San Francisco arrived off the atoll at about 0630 on 31 January. At 0730, she opened fire on targets of opportunity, initially a small ship inside Kwajalein lagoon. At 0849, she ceased firing. At 0900, she resumed firing at targets on Berlin and Beverly islands. Through the day, she continued to shell those islands, and, in late afternoon, added Bennett Island to her targets. During the next week, she provided pre-landing barrages and support fire for operations against Burton, Berlin, and Beverly islands. On 8 February, the cruiser sailed for Majuro, whence she would operate as a unit of TF 58, the fast carrier task force.
On 12 February, San Francisco, in TG 58.2, cleared Majuro lagoon. Four days later, the carriers launched their planes as part of Operation Hailstone. On the night of 16–17 February, Intrepid was torpedoed. San Francisco, with others, was assigned to escort her eastward. On 19 February, the group split; Intrepid, with two destroyers, continued toward Pearl Harbor, while San Francisco and the remaining ships headed for Majuro. On 25 February, San Francisco sailed for Hawaii with TG 58.2. On 20 March, the group returned to Majuro, refueled, and departed again on 22 March to move against the Wes
USS San Francisco (CA-38)