bibsie

We are planning a driving trip up the coast from San Francisco next summer. Is June, July, or August better than the other? We will have a week. We are concerned about the fog. Also, what can we expect for temperatures?

fehgeddaboudit

They're all the same. Is there a city sponsored event that would draw you during one of those months? Google it and find out. Don't be concerned about the fog. It's weather. Expect 50-80 degrees. Fahrenheit. Bring layers.

Case closed.

J_Correa

Generally, the hotter it is inland, the more fog you will encounter on the coast (inversion layer) - unless things shift around a bit and the coast gets a heatwave. Then you wont have much (or any fog). Most of the time the fog burns off midday and comes back in the evening.

I wouldn't worry about the fog at all. It is rarely the type that comes down to ground level, so visibility isn't generally affected. Besides, fog looks interesting when it burns off and rolls back in. And sometimes a big fog bank will sit just off the coast all day long while the coast is sunny. Fog is just part of the California coast experience.

Definitely bring layers, nothing heavy, just some long pants, a sweater, and light jacket so you can put them on if you get chilly. You will generally need them most in the mornings and evenings.

xxxx

Last August we experienced thick fog by 3 pm when we were right on the coast. I don't know if that was unusual or not, but it made the expensive room with a view at the Timber Cover Inn, (not recommended BTW) a waste of time and money.

ebgibbs

Just got back from San Francisco. Did not encounter fog. Temps were lovely, in the low 70s (compared to 108 in Sacramento).

Gekko

I was in San Francisco about 2 weeks ago for 5 nights, staying in the Marina. Fog every day. Usually the Golden Gate was not visible due to fog. It was also chilly in the city, 50's & low 60's after dark.

cwojo99

It's always foggy! Be flexible for best views of the golden gate. The other side of the bay is warmer and also holds great views of the bridge.

sequoia370

Yep, gecko and ebgibbs are both posting truthfully, 2 weeks ago it was and had been very foggy in San Francisco for some time. This past week, it's been sunny and warm. In another week, the fog could return. There is always chilly fog along the central and northern California coast in summer, but when it will be there and when it will not is unpredictable.

Sometimes the fog burns off by midmorning and returns just before sunset, sometimes it's around all day, and other times it doesn't happen at all.

It's a coastal thing, inland areas don't get fog in the summer at least. three to six weeks ago, Highway 35 down the Peninsula from SF was fogged in heavily every day, while Interstate 280 was sunny and hot at the same time. Look on a map and see how close the two highways are. That's how abruptly the fog starts and stops. 35 runs along the ridgetops, 280 is about 1500 feet lower, the fog is stopped by the coastal mountains, but often hangs over the tops of them.