Hi, in the middle of June, what kind of jacket will I need to wear in San Fran? just a thin windbreaker or will i need a thicker more insulated jacket ? i know this seems like an unimportant question but i really dont want to end up being too cold or too hot all the time.

When the fog rolls in you will need more than a windbreaker in SF, I usually tell first time visitors to bring a leather jacket for nighttime --it takes some convincing but they are always glad they did. It cannot be emphasized enough that you have to be prepared to dress in layers in SF--it is an often repeated joke that Macy's does great business selling jackets in the summer to those who can't imagine they will need one in "sunny" California.

karebear,

I wish I could tell you. We've just had the latest, coldest spring in 40 years.

You should be fine with Long sleeves & long pants & a windbreaker.

I'd plan to be able to dress for slightly colder weather than warmer, but also, keep checking the forecast right up until the day before.

The bay often has a wind, so bring the windbreaker regardless.

This begs for the Mark Twain quote:

"The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco."

The "dress in layers" mantra has to be chanted throughout our lovely state, alternating with another: "microclimate". Even down here in the southern part. The temperature differential in summer between relatively close points like Santa Monica and Valencia can be upwards of 30 degrees. What's the rule of thumb...? Two miles inland in LA, one degree hotter. Even on the coast, it can be striking how it stays socked-in and cool in tony, ritzy Santa Monica but gets sunny and toasty in dumpy ol' Long Beach.

OK, those days I gloat. But seriously, up in SF, I would plan on long-sleeve T-shirts (the sleeves roll up nicely), cargo pants (pack a pair of shorts if the weather gods slip up and you get a hot day) and a light jacket. The leather jacket idea is good as well-- warm and fashionable!

Sister lives in east bay and another in rainy Oregon. Neither were prepared for the cold last early July but they and their kids all have new SF sweatshirts! : )

BTW: Though Mark Twain was clever enough to have said that particular quote about SF he never really said it. Some legends die hard!! http://www.snopes.com/quotes/twain.htm

Definitely bring layers. A windbreaker will be fine as long as you wear a sweater under it.

Just as an aside, yesterday, I wore shorts & a t-shirt all day, and then ran home, changed into long pants & shirtsleeves & grabbed a down vest to wear to the Giant's Baseball game.

By 10:00 I was quite chilled & wishing I had a hat, so yea, a good jacket for night is not such a bad idea.

In leather, you'll look like a local.

Hubby and I attended a baseball game at Candlestick several years ago on July 5. We FROZE, and all the concession stands ran out of hot chocolate and coffee. A cute little fogbank hovered at midfield just about 20 feet above the ground through most of the game!This is to say that the sunniest day can be followed by a night of bone-chillingly damp, cool breezes--temps may be around 50, but it will feel colder, especially if you're on the water. I'd bring layers, and a jacket that blocks wind (hence all the suggestions of leather). Polarfleece is also a popular, if more casual, option out there. Enjoy!

Happily Candlestick is now the home of Football games, and not baseball.

Pacbell Park is not just easier to get to, but also considerably warmer. So if you ever come back to see baseball again, you won't freeze quite so much.

suuuuz, Wadda killjoy! ;-)

Didn't Twain say he stays in shape by attending the funerals of all of his friends that exercise?

At the old 'Stick, the rule of thumb was sunburn in the early innings-freeze in the last 2.

BTW, isn't June a "clothing optional" month in SF?
I thought I heard something like that?
Kal

Karebear

I'm REALLY glad you posted this. We are spending Memorial Day weekend in SF (first time) and I'd been planning to bring shorts, t shirts and sun dresses!!

My daughter will be spending a month touring SF and the wine country (part of her Culinary Institute curriculum) and I'm sure she was going to pack the same way.

Guess I'll dig out my leather jacket and long pants and tell her to do the same...

If she's going to be in wine country, make sure she packs some of those sundresses.

Wine country is ridiculously warmer than SF at times, 20- 30 degrees at times! But around Mem day weekend I bet it will be in the breezy 60s in SF and at least low to mid seventies in Wineland.

Kal,

your memo must have had a misprint. It's wool-clothing optional.

I just want to be clear, I posted about clothing for weather in SF not the entire Bay Area-- that is an entirely different matter. As previous poster noted, we deal with "microclimates" and at times the difference in climate can be from one side of SF to the other, particularly in the summer months--sunny and warm in the Mission during the day; cold and foggy in the Avenues and at the Coast all day. There can be and often is an extreme difference in temperature between SF and Napa for example, so if you are visiting places in the Bay Area outside of SF and the coast as well as SF in the summer months you still need to bring shorts, etc. Just be prepared for the difference in the city itself. You only have to experience summer in SF once to get the hang of it.

OK, I'll leave my sundress at home.

Can I wear shorts, polo shirt, and sandals when I go wine tasting in Sonoma on a Sunday over Memorial Day weekend?

thanks for your help! i was not planning on bringing my leather jacket before but i definitely will now.

Hey Budman - just make sure you wear black dress socks with your sandals - LOL.

If I showed my wife this thread, I would be toting two 26" suitcases for her because she would want to bring the kitchen sink just to make sure, for a 4-day weekend.

B'man...like you're NOT anyway? ;-)

Nothing worse than a "short stay"!

Kal