On 17 June, "San Francisco" refueled and took up station between the approaching enemy force and the amphibious force at Saipan. On the morning of 19 June, the Battle of the Philippine Sea opened for "San Francisco". At about 1046, she was straddled fore and aft by bombs. "... a mass of enemy planes on the screen at ." At 1126, the cruiser opened fire. A 40 mm shell from "Indianapolis" set off "San Francisco"s smoke screen generators. By noon, quiet had returned. At 1424, dive bombers made the last Japanese attack. By 20 June, "San Francisco" steamed westward in pursuit of the Japanese force. The next day, she returned to the Saipan area and resumed operations with the covering force for the transports. On 8 July, "San Francisco" again steamed to Guam to bombard enemy positions. During the next four days, she shelled targets in the Agat and Agana areas. On 12 July, she returned to Saipan to replenish and refuel, and on 18 July, again took station off Guam.