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Packing advice for San Francisco next week (weather question, really)

Tammyb

We are taking a family vacay to San Francisco next week. My boys (9 yo) are shorts and tshirts kids, my daughter (14 yo) will want to plan her outfits carefully. I am planning to dress my usual casual which is a combination of casual dresses and shorts and t shirts. Hubby will wear shorts and polos every day. (His uniform). Everyone will pack a sweatshirt or light jacket.

My question: should we pack anything for cooler weather? Suitcase space is at a premium. Should we have everyone throw in a pair long pants/jeans too?

We are all so excited about this trip. Our first time in CA as a family and my and hubbys first time in SF on vacation. Meaning we get to see more than hotel rooms and inference rooms! Any other advice for us from locals or others?

Thanks!

Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from Sheila

Mackenzie Anderson

Omg yes, weather out there is so up and down! Pack for a cool evening/cool Night always!

Pree

Yes- pack pants because you will probably run into a cool day and evening.

Grey Rainbow

Yes, absolutely! Bring jeans / long pants for everyone. Fleece to wear over tee shirts, and something windproof. Sneakers in addition to walking sandals -- or skip sandals and just go with sneakers / trainers. Parts of the city can be fogged in all day and chilly, and late afternoon wind brings the marine layer back in. We can tell tourists from locals by who's wearing shorts, tees, sandals, and goosebumps.

JAileen

Veteran

What Grey Rainbow said. Also it depends where you plan to go. A boat ride on the bay? Prepare for fog, wind, very chilly temps. A visit to Marin or the East Bay? It could be very warm. Check the weather forecasts. If you see the tv weather, pay attention to coastal and inland forecasts as they can vary dramatically.

Staysfit

Veteran

I froze when I was there even with my fleece. It's windy, so bring jeans and long sleeves for the evening as well as warm jackets.

Joyce B

Veteran

The last time I went it rained all the time and was chilly.
Enjoy the yummy SF sourdough, it is the best by far!

Greyscale

Veteran

It will not rain at all (no rain April - September) so you don't have to worry about that.

If you will be mostly in SF proper, leave the shorts at home. There's maybe one week a year you'd need them, and oddly, it's usually September or October. But like people said, outside of SF (East Bay, Palo Alto, etc) shorts might be great.

The good thing is that our weather is very predictable and pleasant - basically the same narrow range every day. The bad thing is that it's hard to wrap your head around as a visitor. Part of that is the "microclimates" in the city. My neighborhood (the Mission) is warm and sunny until late afternoon, when the fog rolls over the hill. If you have an iPhone, there's a cute little weather app called Mr Chilly that shows you how different the temp and forecast are across the city. There is often a 20-degree range from Ocean Beach (cold and foggy many days) to the Mission.

It looks like today it'll be 65 everywhere in the city (clear and very bright as usual, so it can feel warmer) down to 58 in the evening (foggy, so it feels colder). So I'll be wearing jeans and a t shirt with a light cardigan during the day, and carrying my leather jacket to a party tonight. Yesterday was warmer, 70s in SF 80s in Oakland, and I didn't use my cardigan or jacket at all. It was really beautiful.

But overall, it is so so pleasant this time of year. Anything goes as long as you have a warm layer or two. And sunscreen!

rachylou

Veteran

It is now 9:30 am, sunny, and I'm freezing. I put on some new fuzzy on the inside loungewear that I got at Target yesterday on the sofa run. Later, I will wear sleeveless and capris to go to work... carrying my ankle-length puffy, for break time taken outside this evening. Lol.

I second the sunscreen rec.

DonnaF

Veteran

How cold/warm your family gets depends in part on your accustomed climate. SF temps are likely to be in the high 60s to mid-70s during the day and feel warmer in the sun and cooler in the shade, especially if there's a brisk wind like out by the Presidio and the Golden Gate Bridge. I've also noticed that the same temperature range *feels* different (warmer) in other places like San Diego where it is more humid during the day. No air conditioning is needed in SF; the cool breezes/fog in the evening bring the temps down into the 50s at night. Thus, if you want to see the light show at the Hall of Flowers in Golden Gate Park you will really want to bundle up.

I run cold and need to keep my toes warm. I can't wear sandals unless it is in the 70s. If it were me, I would leave sandals at home unless my feet ran hot and they were super supportive and comfy -- like Keens. I would also leave anything sleeveless at home. For me, SF in summer is a perfect cropped pants and 3/4 sleeve place. If I were really worried about overheating, I would wear my linen shirt for sun protection and scrunch my sleeves if needed.

If you will be renting a car, DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES LEAVE ANYTHING IN YOUR CAR FOR A MINUTE, especially in touristy places. Car break-ins are rampant, including trunks. Any time you park, assume you are being watched.

Laura G

Veteran

I'll be in SF next week too--wave when you see me!

No shorts. Long pants. You could wear tees but since you need long sleeves at some point every day, I'm just starting with long sleeves. Something windbreaker-ish.

Living in SoCal, I don't exactly have a wardrobe of coats. For the natives, can I wear my wool winter coat or is that too much?

rachylou

Veteran

I will attest to the car break-ins. Me and my coworker's cars are right now sporting matching clear shower curtains taped over broken car windows.

They stole my TRASH. Literally, my car trash bag.

ETA: Summer is when I actually wear my winter wool coats...

Greyscale

Veteran

Today is very normal:
65 SF
75 Berkeley
85 Palo Alto
85 just over the East Bay hills
90 San Jose
100 Sacramento

If you want sunny beaches, head down to Santa Cruz - it's beautiful.

DonnaF

Veteran

I don't think I would take a wool winter coat unless I would be spending SIGNIFICANT time outside at night in the Avenues (Sunset or Richmond Districts) and my under layer was a lightweight summery dress. If I thought I would be spending significant time outdoors at night I would opt for long pants or jeans and a medium weight topper like a leather jacket or my Eddie Bauer wind cutting jacket.

Cee

Veteran

Sigourney Weaver said in an interview earlier this year/late last year she never travels anywhere anytime without a turtleneck.

Elle

Veteran

If you are going to be in SF proper, skip the shorts. It's lovely weather during the day but not summery. You will need layers, a light jacket, and good walking shoes. It can be windy and/or foggy but isn't likely the rain. If you are going anywhere out of the city, then you should have summer clothes. There can be a 30-40 degree difference between SF and the farther suburbs.

I second all the advice about not leaving anything valuable in your car. They smash the windows and steal stuff from the back seat and trunk in a very short amount of time.

If you want to go to Alcatraz (and I still love it), buy your tickets online before you come. The tours sell out and kids will enjoy it. Some of my other favorite places - Baker Beach, the Lands End trail (go early before the tour buses), Muir Woods (again early), walking up the Filbert or Greenwich steps to Coit Tower. Enjoy your visit.

MsMaven

Veteran

I can't quite remember how many times I headed to SF on a warm sunny summer day near San Jose, and then once in the city had to buy a sweatshirt or a jacket. It took me a few years to learn that lesson. And the tales of my sons at Candlestick Park! Now I never go there without a jacket. The fog and wind go right through summer sweaters.

I think October is the warmest month. Magically, everyone goes out in a sundress they must keep in the closet all year just waiting for October.

Have a a great trip!

Tammyb

Thanks everyone for your GREAT advice! We had a wonderful trip and were appropriately dressed for the weather. Here is a pic of the best dressed...

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Sheila

Veteran

Just reading this post and your photo is priceless, Tammyb! Look at all those grey clouds in the background. Hope you were dressed just right for the weather...