We are planning a trip to San Francisco. Then rent a car and drive around the area. What would be the best time of the year (weatherwise)to visit? Thanks for the info.

The very best weather in the SF Bay area and along the California coast is in the Fall - Sept and Oct are glorious. Late Spring (late Apr - early June) is also usually very good.

The middle of summer can be the worst weather - really HOT and dry inland and really COLD and foggy in SF and along the coast.

Winters are generally mild but often rainy.

Hi Jennifer

Janis is right. If I was picking a time of year to visit northern coastal California, early October would be my #1 choice.

Have fun

GP

I agree with the others, and remember what Mark Twain said-- I never spent a winter as cold as the summer I spent in San Francisco.

Can't beat the fall for great weather in CA. Late Sept early Oct is really good. The coast is less foggy and the rain has not yet arrived.

FYI: Mark Twain never said that about San Francisco. http://www.snopes.com/quotes/twain.htm

Another pick for Sept/Oct.
But, is there really a bad time to visit SF? :-?

I visted last May and it was heaven (Mid-May)60's to low 70's and sunny every day for a week. Fall is lovely also, but Spring is truly heaven!