San Francisco Travel Forum

Just wondering what clothes to pack for this time of year in SF? I'm in Michigan now and it is raining and very much on the cool side. I have been wearing long sleeves for the past 10 days. What about SF? Will I need to bring a warm coat or will a light weight jacket be enough?

Janet, I think you can get by with a light weight jacket. There is usually a cool breeze coming off the Pacific Ocean and into the bay, but as long as you are not outside sitting for a long time the light jacket should suffice. And if it gets a little cool you can always pop into one of my favorite SF spots, The Buena Vista for a nice warm Irish Coffee.

To quote Mark Twain, "the coldest winter I ever spent was summer in San Francisco."

Don't bring shorts! You will freeze in shorts. I think a light weight jacket should be okay if you're wearing it over pants. A sweatshirt or sweater would be okay too.

Of course, all this goes out the window if you're planning on taking a harbor cruise. If you don't want to stay huddled inside during the ride, you might want to wear that light weight jacket over the sweatshirt.

It depends a lot on where and what time of day you plan to travel. San Francisco has micro-climates beyond belief. If you are out on the bay, or along the waterfront at night, it can be a bit cool. If you travel to the east bay, the southern areas of the city, or into Marin County, it can be a bit warm. Gary

Thanks everyone...your comments are very helpful. It sounds like the weather is a lot like it has been here in Northern Michigan.

All good advice - the coldest I've even been on a summer trip (August) was in San Francisco! Actually, it was usually reasonably warm during the day but the minute the sun started going down and the fog rolled in... brrrrrr. Mornings were chilly too. Bring a sweatshirt or a fleece - we ended up buying ours there to wear under our jackets.

Janet, When you get to San Francisco, put a flower in your hair. NO, that was the 60's. Put a sweater on instead. Daytime temps in July average 71F and the night cools down to 54F. The big difference is that the humidity is low which makes the real feel even cooler. As mentioned, the fog rolls in at night and not only cool but damp and sometimes windy. If it does get warm, look out, because A/C is unheard of in San Francisco and it will be hot inside as well. Drive over to the wine country in Napa and the daytime temps wil be around 82F, big difference. Have fun and enjoy some of the best food in the USA.

Thanks for the info. I will most certainly have a day in Napa. That will be great. I've just recently visited some of the wineries in Northern Michigan, but I can't wait to see the famous Napa Valley wineries.

San Francisco can throw anything at you so my advice is to layer. Once when I flew in from London in June the pilot announced that is was 104 degrees - everyone on the plane was laughing because we thought the pilot had made a mistake converting from C to F. The joke was on us - it was 104 degrees! but that is VERY rare. Other times I have been freezing in August. I would recommend a fleece plus some type of rain/wind jacket for layering and a pair of gloves and a hat just for safety.

Gloves and a Hat!??? Oh my goodness! I surely hope not.

Nope - she's not pulling your leg. If the fog rolls in and it's windy, the damp goes right to your bones. Pockets in your jacket might be enough to tuck your hands into if needed but your might want something on your head. Depends on how much walking about you plan to do in the evenings.

LOL - this is not the gloves and hat of my youth when you do not dare go into downtown SF without those fancy accessories. I am talking about the type of gloves and hat that keep you from freezing.

If you don't wish to drive to the wineries: (http://winetrain.com). Gary

Thanks Gary...that wine train sound lovely; but, at $145.00 per person, and we will be three, that would cost more than my round trip air ticket from Michigan to San Francisco. A bit more than my pocket contains! Of course, that does include a gourmet meal, but still, maybe if I win a lotto or come into a mysterious inheritance windfall! Cheers.

You need to bring a windbreaker especially if you want to go to Fisherman's Wharf.

I was there last year in July and a light weight jacket was enough.

For more information, you can read my article about Sausalito, across the bay from San Francisco. It's romantic to see all those yachts

http://www.ehow.com/how_5066581_use-san-franciscos-alcatraz-sausalito.html

Yes, pack long sleeves and possibly a jacket! San Fransico is pictured to be a warm place, but it isnt always like that. Because of the fog that is usually there everyday, it brings cool air plus having the ocean doesnt help. You can have warm days, but many days are cool.
I hope I helped..
Been to San Fransico many times and is my all time favourite place.
Have a good trip!