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San Francisco forcast RAIN RAIN RAIN
Hello, we are heading to San Francisco, CA this coming weekend for a week, and just heard that the forcast is nothing but RAIN.
I am wondering if this means steady rain, or showers or what. Isn't it unsual for CA to get this much rain? This being the case (you can't change the weather!), can you suggest things for us to do next week when we're there? Is it true for SF that you don't have to drive to far to get out of the rain? Maybe going to wine country (but we'd of course have to return to our Airbnb every evening, I guess) or somewhere else, Mirin County? We are going there, along with other family members, for one last "hurrah" with my son who is living there now, but is moving back east later this month. A sort of family reunion. Thank you very much |
It won't be steady rain, although I'm sure that the Californians would LOVE that. You probably don't even have to leave the city to get out of the rain- the west has a lot of microclimates in general. Walk 10 minutes in one direction, and who knows, it might be sunny. You could check the weather report for the areas you might like to check out...on the other hand, I don't even know if I'd trust the weather report. This time of year, rain seems to be just a safe prediction- but they're almost never right about when or how long it'll last.
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Winter in Northern CA is historically rainy. The last several years we've been in a drought but we seem to be on track now to get the rain we need. So, while no one who lives here will be terribly sorry under the circumstances, it may be a reminder to check weather patterns when you plan a trip.
This coming weekend the forecast for rain, as you know, is almost 100% both days. Also in Sonoma (Wine Country). Also in Marin County. That doesn't mean it will be raining all the time, just much of the time. Leaving town for day trips won't help weather-wise. I suggest you find indoor activities like museums to keep you busy. Book a big table for your family for a nice long dim sum brunch in Chinatown. Bring umbrellas and do whatever you were going to do, but in the rain. Have fun. |
I watched the weather report last night and it does look like we're expecting a lot of rain (two big storms) starting tonight --- everywhere in the Bay Area will be wet (and that includes the wine country, Marin and Monterey). Microclimates apply more to sun, fog and temperatures than to rainfall, although the AMOUNT of rain will differ from place to place. They said we can expect 3.5 inches of rain from now to Sunday. Sorry.
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By the way, teadrinker, I recommend a visit to the Ferry Building at the foot of Market Street (the end at the bay) and make a point to have tea & snacks at Roy Fong's Chinese tea room, Imperial Tea Court.
http://www.imperialtea.com/category-s/1905.htm |
ugh, well, thank you.... I appreciate your tips and advice and the Ferry Building, yes, we've been there for tea, and should go again. Good thing to do on a rainy day.
Rain in Sonoma too.... too bad! Thank you |
"Is it true for SF that you don't have to drive to far to get out of the rain?"
That's true for fog, not rain. As mentioned, northern CA is rainy in the winter. Storms come in off the ocean and sweep across the state, and up into the mountains where they drop snow. We are all pretty happy about all this rain and snow. We need it. |
Here are some popular "inside" things to do when it rains - other than shopping in stores, Theater, BBB, Ferry Bldg:
- Academy of Science - DeYoung Museum - Cable Car Museum - Fire Department museum http://guardiansofthecity.org/sffd/ - MOMA - Jeremiah O'brien liberty ship http://www.ssjeremiahobrien.org/ - Disney Museum - Fort Point - Sunday brunch at the Palace Hotel - Dim Sum at Yank Sing - Lunch at Tadich Grill Stu Dudley |
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Oops - lots of Rodins there.
Stu Dudley |
>>isn't it unsual for CA to get this much rain?<<
Not all all -- this Northern CA isn't San Diego. We typically get a LOT of rain from Dec through about March. If we didn't this would be a true desert. >>Is it true for SF that you don't have to drive to far to get out of the rain<< Absolutely not -- it will be rainy in the Central Valley and heavy snow in the Sierra (chains are currently required on all the trans Sierra highways. >>or somewhere else, Mirin County?<< Marin County is likely to be much wetter than SF |
Odd, I don't have any travel plans to San Francisco next week....
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>>>Odd, I don't have any travel plans to San Francisco next week<<<
Ha!!! Stu Dudley |
WOW, okay, well, now I know more about rain (and things to do in the rain) for San Francisco than I ever thought possible!
I didn't know nuffin' bout those City Tours! Awesome links, thank you Stu and everyone else! Just gotta pack them rainboots I guess (oooh, do I even HAVE rain boots?) What does one wear for rain boots these days? |
Here you go: http://tinyurl.com/zpxqwgz
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HA!
Why not wait and go to Nordstrom (they are having a boot sale as we speak) or Macy's at Union Square (they are ALWAYS having a sale) and get some boots if you need them. Just good sturdy shoes would probably be enough. |
Rain needn't be an impediment. If nothing else, there are myriad shops at Fishermans Wharf that sell inexpensive rain coats. Pick one up, it's also a souvenir. Now you can just go on about your vacation. This is pretty much normal for the region and season.
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"...inexpensive rain coats. Pick one up..."
Why would anyone who knows in advance that they'll need rain gear, wait and buy some plastic thing at Fisherman's Wharf? I think not. |
I wear knee-high rain boots (slick grey color) every day during rainy season. And a raincoat, and I carry an umbrella too. Got to my office and home today completely dry.
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You know when you wear a rain coat and all the rain slides off it soaking your pants?
Does anyone wear rain pants? I always think I'd love a pair for those rainy rainy rainy days when everything gets all wet! (as far as I know, they don't make raincoats with a "catch tray" like they do with some of those rubber baby bibs - and that's a joke, ha ha Let me know if there's a particularly nice source/brand around! All good suggestions here - thank you very much! |
sf7307 would you please tell me the name of your rain boots, the slick gray colored ones? I need a pair!
MmePerdu - those are for scallopers, you're funny! |
Aquatalia makes great, comfortable, waterproof leather boots that look good enough that I wear them even when it's not raining. Nordstrom usually has them -- I find they run small so trying them on is a good idea.
I wouldn't worry at all about waterproof pants in SF although they work well for hiking in Alaska, etc. I got mine at REI. |
Sorry teadrinker, mine are Cougar brand - I got them in NY several years ago at a small store on Columbus Avenue. I like them because they zip all the way down. (They're nice like Aquitalia - mine look like rain boots, not like regular boots. I take them off when I get to the office).
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I meant to say they're NOT "nice like Aquitalia".
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I think you are overestimating the severity of the rain we get here. It's not torrential. Sheets of rain will not be running off your rain coat. You don't need rain pants. You probably don't even need actual rain boots. A coat that can keep the rain out, an umbrella, and some type of sturdy shoes is all you really need.
These are my go-to shoes in the rain: http://www.zappos.com/p/sperry-top-s...720627/color/3 I walked around in those shoes in the rain last night - probably walked close to 4 miles. My feet were totally dry. I didn't splash through any puddles or anything, just walked normally. |
Thank you everyone!
I think we will be just fine! What's a little rain anyway - makes things more interesting. I have rain boots (nice black ones to match my all black outfits - I know, boring, but whatever) and a good raincoat with a hood. No problem-o And with this list of things to do in or out of the rain, we are GOLDEN, we'll be walkin' on sunshine thanks to you! Love, Teadrinker |
>>Teadrinker<<
How about tea at Lovejoys on a rainy day???? http://www.lovejoystearoom.com/ Four blocks from where we lived in the Noe Valley. Take the J-Church Muni-Metro to get there. If you get on the J-Church at a Market Street stop - sit in the seats on the entrance-door side to get fabulous views of downtown as you pass Dolores Park. The views will be a little bit behind you. Sit in the right side of the car on the return trip to get the same views. I took the J-Church to work every day for several years. Stu Dudley |
Buying designer clothes for use in the rain seems like the height of folly to a curmudgeon like me, and rain pants have never been necessary or seen in SF. The changing weather is part of the adventure of being here, like hanging off the side of the cable car and getting a little splash. Wear what is comfortable and efficient, and I second those lightweight cheap plastic ones that you can pack in your pocket or throw away.
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< I second those lightweight cheap plastic ones that you can pack in your pocket or throw away.>
Adding cheap crap to landfills seems like the height of folly to me. I'd rather buy one good thing that will last the rest of my life. Are you really a curmudgeon, or just a cheapskate? OP already has good rain gear, in any case. |
Plastic rain gear makes for alternating sensations of sweating, then freezing. It really adds to an experience, don't you think?
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Rain pants can be useful, they are sold in outdoor stores like REI, etc. They are good for hiking and other outdoor activities. Some are called rain pants and others just travel/hiking pants. I have a pair of Marmot Goretex shell pants, actually (but Goretex is expensive, although I got them on sale pretty cheap).
I wouldn't wear rain pants to walk around a big city, though, but they really aren't very different from lots of sports pants you see (like gym wear). |
Here's a semi panicky article about the Pineapple Expreess that is due to hit.
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/l...105-story.html |
I wish I hadn't seen that, mlgb. I live under that biggest number on the "projected rainfall in inches" map. But they were wrong early in the week so I live in hope.
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They are often wrong on the timing of when and where things start and stop...even more so for down here..Storms often seem to get hung up around Santa Barbara.
Good luck to all under the Express! |
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