San Francisco at Christmas time
Sep 19th, 2011, 10:17 AM
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San Francisco at Christmas time
We are considering traveling to San Francisco at Christmas time with our two almost adult children (21 & 17). We have read some not such great things about the weather at that time. We live in a suburb of NY, so are used to bad weather in the winter and public transportation. Just curious if this would be an ok time to come or would the weather make it not worth it. Thanks in advance for your views.
Sep 19th, 2011, 12:07 PM
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We are not worried about a little rain, but heard it could be torrential. I guess it could be torrential anyplace! We will not have a car except for maybe one day, so we will be relying mostly on public transportation. Just worried that trying to navigate that in torrential rain would not be fun.
Sep 19th, 2011, 12:41 PM
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We have done 3 winter trips to San Francisco. First one was in March, second in Feb and third was January. The weather was better in March, but January was great in spite of it raining a lot, heavy at times, most of the time. Public transit is easy and the way to go.
We are heading out there soon and it will be the first visit in "nice weather" and while that will be great, the best part of going to San Francisco, is being IN San Francisco!!
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-francisco.cfm
We are heading out there soon and it will be the first visit in "nice weather" and while that will be great, the best part of going to San Francisco, is being IN San Francisco!!
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-francisco.cfm
Sep 19th, 2011, 01:35 PM
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Couple of years ago we had a family Christmas celebration that was great. Drove to Muir Woods, also Monterey (Sea Aquarium), enjoyed a beach fire, "Nutcracker" at SF Ballet, dining Fisher Man's Wharf, toured the Sonoma Valley wineries, Chanticleer concert, Christmas Eve dining at Empress of China. Missed a big snowstorm back home in Missouri!
Bill in Boston
Bill in Boston
Sep 19th, 2011, 02:12 PM
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We do get some pretty big storms in the winter time, and sometimes that makes for a pretty wet Christmas. Other years we are having Christmas dessert on the patio.
And "Torential" rain is really a relative term. I have rarely seen rain in California anywhere, even in the height of the winter season, like a regular old southern rain storm.
And "Torential" rain is really a relative term. I have rarely seen rain in California anywhere, even in the height of the winter season, like a regular old southern rain storm.
Sep 19th, 2011, 02:24 PM
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It's fair to say that we have had downpours at times in winter, but the heaviest rain in the Bay Area typically falls in the Santa Cruz mountains, parts of Marin and places north of SF. Most of the big storms are typically in mid to late-January--not to say they can't occur in December. Anyway most of us manage to get to work and to holiday events whatever the level of rain and as november-moon has posted sometimes it rains, sometimes the sun is shining. Just think how lucky you will feel if NY is you know what deep in snow and all you have to deal with is an umbrella.
Sep 19th, 2011, 02:57 PM
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When I lived in the Bay Area, I loved San Francisco at Christmas. Instead of snow, you might see fog and drizzle - to me, a little chill (not freezing) and fog are Christmas. Nothing to mess up public transportation. If you are used to NY weather, I don't think you have anything to worry about. Enjoy!
Sep 20th, 2011, 10:57 AM
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Yes, definitely go!!! And depending on how much time you have, a side trip down to the Monterey area would be a great addition. If it is stormy, you'll get some great waves on the rocky coastline. If it is sunny, you'll get some magnificant crystal-clear views. I love winter on the coast.
Sep 24th, 2011, 09:16 PM
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Rain is not that bad, and often not at all in December. Check out Union Square, all dressed up for the holidays. Macy's usually has Humane Society kittens and puppies availablefor adoption in their windows, with fun displays. Very cute.
Sep 29th, 2011, 06:26 AM
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We never snow in San Francisco, and last year it did not rain much in December. There are a lot of fun stuff going on here during Christmas (like Great Dickens Christmas Fair at Cow Palace, ice skating, tree lighting), so I think you will have fun ^_^
