San Francisco in August: what to wear?
 

Hi,
Any tips from those who've been to San Fran in Aug.?

I've read from some places that shorts and sandals are a no-go wearher-wise. This true?

Any advice appreciated.

A wind breaker, a sweatshirt and long pants are highly recommended for August in San Francisco.

Of course if you are venturing into the central valley then shorts and very light weight tops would be appreciated.

It could be over 100F in the Valley and only in the 60's in San Francisco on the same day.

So the advice is to pack layers.

First, check the weather forecast before you go. I've been to SF at all different times including August. Most of the time, I have found it cool in the morning and evenings with it warmer mid-day. It could be cool all day. I've never worn shorts and always pack clothes that can be worn in layers. Many evenings, I've worn a top, a light cardigan and sometimes a light jacket over that. If it's windy, it feels colder. Having said that, I always see people wearing shorts and flip-flops when I consider it cool.

I'm sure a lot of locals will check in on your question.

If you are there for more than 2 days, I would seriously suggest warmer clothing, as SF doesn't warm up until late September into most of October.

The weather pattern is called the summer weather pattern, a day or two of warm weather followed by cool weather for 3-5 days.

All the heat gets sucked into the Central Valley and is replaced by the cool air from the Pacific. Get used to the sound of foghorns at night.

Somebody once said: "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco."

However, if you leave the city and go to Sonoma or Napa, you'll find the weather to be warm and more traditionally summerlike.

It's 11:45 am, overcast and somewhat breezy. I just went out, wearing jeans, a 3/4-sleeve t-shirt and a light track jacket (my usual weekend wear) and I was comfortable.

My husband and I are flying up to the City this Friday and are planning to dress like we always do in August in the City:

Layers, layers, layers.

Windbreaker. Long pants and jeans. Walking shoes. Long- and short-sleeve shirts. Everything cotton, comfortable, relaxed.

This trip, we won't be heading to Wine Country (we went in April, when it was gorgeous and hot). We will appreciate the cool, being that it's been so GODDAMN HOT for long stretches this summer here in southern CA.

My number 1 suggestion: Just enjoy yourself, don't sweat the small stuff, don't schedule yourself into a frenzy. Our ONLY firm, scheduled plans are a trip to Alcatraz and arranging Super Shuttle back to SFO on Wednesday. The rest, we leave in the laps of the gods.

And be warned: Every time you go to San Francisco, you fall in love with the City anew. I myself know that every time we go there, my husband and I start plotting on how to move there with our neurotic cat...!

Flowers in your hair. Sorry, couldn't resist.

Also dark/black clothes are a lot more common in SF. I go there for work sometimes and am always surprised how much less color there is in the clothes than where I live an hour to the South.

Thank you so much for the replies. Planning on venturing out to Sonoma for a day. Will plan on layers.

Do we need a raincoat or umbrella ? Heard August is relatively dry.

Thanks!

A fraction of your taxes go to the National Weather Service, which provides forecasts to various weather outlets, like Accuweather. Here's what they say about about Sonoma in August.

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/son...monyr=8/1/2013

You will not need a raincoat. An umbrella is handy as a sunshade.

Centralparkgirl, I hesitate to give anyone advice to leave their umbrella home. Remember when I told you you didn't need an umbrella in September?