First week in November is the soonest we can get in a quick California coast long weekend. Options are Big Sur [southern option] or Bodega Bay and on to Healdsburg. We have been to Big Sur and Healdsburg but not Bodega Bay. Been a busy year and we want to kick back and look at water, or best ocean. I am afraid northern will be too cool to enjoy but from Big Sur to Healdsburg is a long drive and we do want to see friends there. Can u help me decide with a weather overview. We are from PA but one of us works in CA and will be there on business anyway.
Thanks in advance

This is the Europe travel talk forum, you might try asking on the U.S. travel talk board. However, I live in southern California near the coast and can assist you. If you want warmer weather, I would head south from Big Sur. Why not consider Santa Barbara or possibly even San Diego? You could always hop on a flight to head south (perhaps see your friends first in the north, then fly down south).

Oops - my error, I am the one on the wrong travel board by accident!

realtrav, I don't think there will be much predictable difference in the weather on the coast from Big Sur all the way to Bodega Bay. If we get a winter storm in, which is a definite possibility in November, the gray skies and rain will haunt you in either location. If it's nice, you'll be lucky.

It's possible the weather will be better in one location or the other, but it would simply be chance.

The first week in November can often be beautiful on the NoCal coast. However, it can also be foggy or rainy. You take your chances at any time of the year.

There are many beautiful beaches just north of Bodega Bay. Also, consider Pt. Reyes. The beaches on Drakes Bay are often warmer then than the ones directly on the ocean.

thanks all....I was hoping that there was some magic weather line that made one area nicer than the other....
will check on the areas mentioned and do the weather dance i guess.....might be too much to ask for my candidiate to win AND sun......

The weather in Bodega Bay can be sunny and pleasant one day (or part of the day), and foggy and chilly/windy the next. It just has to be appreciated for what it is--a "colder beach" with beautiful views, some good tide pools, good restaurants around, and some nice inns with fireplaces. It is not a tropical, warm-weather beach. But you can certainly find relaxation and nice views! Just bring a sweater and a hat..in case it is cool.

We like Lucca's Wharf or Inn at the Tides for dinner. Duck Club is also a favorite of many return tourists.

Have a great trip!

The Bodega Bay Lodge & Spa is very nice. www.bodegabaylodge.com We stumbled onto this place when leaving another property that we didn't like.

We loved our meals at the Duck Club. ***kim***

realtrav: There is a magic weather line south of which you have a much better chance of good weather. Unfortunately, it is considerably south of the area you are talking about.

If you watch the TV weather updates, you will notice maps showing the current jet stream curves. They move back and forth on a daily basis but typically, they start swinging north somewhere above Santa Barbara. If there is a Pacific storm coming in, the area above that jet stream line will usually be stormy and the area below it will not.

If there is an extreme low pressure area hovering over an area you are interested in, you are likely to get overcast skies and possible storms regardless of the jet stream lines, especially in the winter.