I'm leaving for a seven-day trip to San Diego & surrounding area in a few days... what should I pack for clothing? Are shorts appropriate, or pants? Does anyone know if the weather fluctuates like San Fran, or if it's more consistent? HELP!

I just got back from San Diego on Monday. Plan for shorts and a t-shirt, but also bring long pants and a jacket or sweater. Mornings were cool because of overcast weather (it cleared out by noon when I was there), and the evenings were somewhat cool. By afternoon, the temps were around 72-75 degrees. Also the closer to the ocean, the cooler it tends to be! Have fun! San Diego is a great city!

Emily:

As you mentioned "surrounding area," I want to expand on Betsy's response. Every mile you move inland is a mile closer to the desert. It might be seventy at the beach and ninety-five in Escondido. If, by your Frisco reference, you mean heavy fog or precipitation, then, no. Near the coast, it may be overcast in the morning (that tends to be the case during most of June), but the haze will burn off during the day. The weather in San Diego is consistent--it will either be beautiful or more beautiful.

By the way, very casual is the way of life--except at nicer restatuants.

San Diego is a very laid back city. Even when you live there it can seem like a vacation. During the day it will be in the 70's maybe low 80's and shorts are accepted pretty much everywhere. The evenings can get cool, so pants and/or light sweater would probably be good. If you are going out on the ocean at night it will get cold. Have a great time.

I live in San Diego. At this time of the year, I wear shorts almost all of the time. The only time I would wear pants is if shorts were not suitable attire which is pretty rare in these parts.

John

Emily: This may sound weird to you but I think a lot of the choices in San Diego are relative to where you are "from" as far as dressing goes. My mate and I were there last October and watching the World Series in a lively and enjoyable outdoor cantina in Old Town. They sat us under outdoor overhead heaters (we had on shorts and "almost" tank-like tops.) We laughed so hard we could hardly get our drinks down as we had to move because we were so hot and all others around us were wearing leather "vests" and sweats with hoods up and even in one case, fingertipless but definitely woolen gloves. All had on long heavy pants and long sleeves. It was about 64 degrees out. We are from Chicago. The gloved person and his entire table realized it was pretty funny too and laughed along with us. They even struck up a conversation. Great evening!

well i finished packing and i have a little bit of everything.. thank you to everyone who made a suggestion regarding my packing dilemma!!!