PACKING-SAN FRANCISCO
 

My husband, his sister, her husband and their two children and I are visiting San Francisco. We are from the Southern East coast, so we are used to tank tops and shorts year round. What should we pack??? What kind of weather should we expect? Is it capri pant weather? Can I wear a denim tube dress? Is it jeans, leggings, sweaters, khakis?? HELP US!

You might want to save the tanks and shorts for other weather. It's pretty much khaki and sweater weather right now. Although, I don't really know about capris. Just save swimsuits and anything short, or tight.

Its warm lately. When I go to the City I always pack with a sweater as after dark I get cool. We dress casual on the West Coast so jeans by sall means. I always wear a long skirt or dress to dinner if I want to go somewhere chic. With my kids, I wear casual dresses or skirts and jeans in the daytime. I skip the shorts unless its hot. Check CNN for the latest weather. SF can be 60 to 80 and changes with the bay "fronts" that come in along the coast. A good idea is to just throw a light windbreaker in your suitcase and wear warm-weather clothes. It's a town full of hills, though. Shoes are the most important thing to consider!

Let's see. One day out of 5 has been nice for the last few weeks. By nice I mean clear skies, light breeze, low 70's in San Francisco. <BR>Today we are completely fogged in, if it's warmer than 60 degrees I'd be surprised. Surrounding areas are are often as much as 10 degrees warmer, but SF is coldest. <BR>My suggestion is pack like you thought you were going to London. Long pants shirts you can layer with a sweater, and the windbreaker is a must. The only thing you won't have to bring is the umbrella.

A couple long skirts, dark colors, long linen slacks (not capri pants), a cotton sweater and a dark linen blazer should do it. Agree with comfy shoes. You will certainly see people in shorts and tank tops, but they'll be the tourists and most likely covered in goose bumps! As I write that today is warmer, just to make me a liar! San Francisco is a pretty dressed up city. If you leave the city, it becomes more casual, but not too much so--khakis and t-shirts or blue jeans. <BR> <BR>

One of the things I like best about San Francisco is that it's a fairly dressy city; everyone looks great. Kam's advice is the best. <BR>

Everyone always says how cold it's going to be in San Francisco, and I think that is USUALLY true. However, I still remember with horror being there three years ago in late October when it was 100 degrees in the city of San Francisco for three days running! All of us with our woolens and trench coats really had NOTHING light enough to wear that was suitable business dress!

Best tip is to bring clothes you can layer on (or off!) We had a week of exceptionally sunny and clear weather over Spring break, but at night I was glad to wear a long sleeved shirt over my long dark knit dress, and a long trenchcoat. (And I even regretted not packing the trenchcoat's lining). Cardigan sweaters are great,too. You can always take them off and knot them around your shoulders or waist if you get hot. And definately comfortable shoes. You will walk your fannies off.

I live in the Bay Area. They say here that you can always tell the SF tourists in the summer time. They are the ones in shorts and purple knees. Prepare to be cool when the sun goes down. You will note a lot of sweatshirt shops. They are there for a reason.

I was in SF last July 4. Coming from the South, I had shorts on-but not for long! As we watched the fireworks that night, everyone was bundled in blankets and coats. The fog was heavy that week and that made it pretty cool during the day. I agree with the layered clothes advice. I was constantly pulling clothes on and off, depending on how far inland we were. I was definetely surprised by the cool temps. I've been in the city during the spring and also in the late summer when it was much warmer. It's a great place to visit no matter the weather!

Anita is certainly correct when she says it's warmer in the early fall than in summer in SF. Don't look at the temperatures in the newspapers--you have to factor in the fog humidity and the wind coming in off the old Golden Gate. Summer can really be Mark Twain time in SF! Then, of course, you can always buy a sweatshirt at Fisherman's Wharf! Right about 5 pm we head for the cotton sweaters, and would you believe I don't know anyone with central air???

WEATHER UPDATE: <BR>I went to the Gay Pride Parade today and I am burnt to a crisp. Who would have guessed? So definitely, layer!