What to pack for SF?
 

I hate when people ask what to wear but I am staring at an empty suitcase and am stuck. I will be in SF for a week, leaving tomorrow. The weather looks like 50's and 60's, brrrr. Since we are all wearing shorts and t-shirts right now and it is close to 90, I am not sure what to take. Do I get out my turtlenecks and long pants? Are any women wearing capris right now? Sandals? Or will I freeze. What do I pack and still look fashionable? We are also going to Carmel for an overnight. Thanks!!!!!

The weather in San Francisco can vary in one day. It can start out very cold (ocean breezes) in the morning and get to be shirsleeves weather by noon.

"Layering" is the way to go. Bring your capris and sandals, but also bring one turtleneck and one pair of long pants. Bring a light jacket like a windbreaker.

If you are coming for work, then bring your more formal wear, but if on vacation, then bring your casual wear and just layer on.

By the ocean it's usually very cool and breezy. Carmel will be cool.

Right now we're into 50's to 80's weather, very pleasant.

Hope this helps.

San Francisco is the one city where the weather can change when you turn a corner!

No need for long pants and turtlenecks though!

Think classic "layers"... I'd wear my summer capris or gaucho pants, nice walking sandals, t-shirt or blouse, and carry a cardigan sweater by day. Similar but slightly nicer pieces for evening, maybe with closed flats and a little dressy jacket.

I live in Seattle and get down to San Fran now and then for weekends. Yes it can be cool, but it can also get plenty warm when walking around during the day, so I'd definitely not want to be stuck wearing a turtleneck is my point!

In a word: layers.

The weather could be pleasant, but a couple years ago it was so cold in early September that we cut our visit short. It was 20 degrees warmer 20 miles away.

Our recent weather has been cooler than normal this past month and August is starting off the same way...TOO COLD! It might be 70 here on the mid-peninsula today. Brrr is right! Saturday was nice and warm, but there has been another one of those darn cooling trends that started yesterday.

I've been visiting SF every July for years. I have never found a need or desire to wear shorts or sandals - what I normally wear during the summer at home. There are some days when they are ok but I've never felt hot or uncomfortable in long pants. I have always found a need to have a jacket, especially in the evening or if you go near the waterfront. I also find that I do a lot of walking in SF, on hard city sidewalks, up and down numerous hills. It's not a city for simple, level strolling.

As for a jacket, you have 2 choices. Bring a jacket with you or buy a fleece jacket with SF logo on it like nearly every other tourist ends up doing. It's amazing to see the number out out of towners in flipflops, shorts, and tank tops flocking into gift shops to get warm clothes.

When it's 50's and 60's it often means it's cloudy/foggy/breezy, so it's a chilly 60. 10miles outside the city/inland you'll be back in shorts/T's as the temperature difference is that great away from the ocean.

SF is a great city - just pack properly.

I am in my car on the Embarcadero as I write this. It is 57 degrees, most people are wearing long pants and a jacket. We went out to dinner in the Mission last night and I wore a leather jacket. I'll try to remember to post back mid-day.

A San Francisco resident could live without any summer clothes, if that gives you an idea of what to wear. You won't see female residents in shorts, although capris are popular, as they are in style everywhere.

T-shirts and Khakis .... that type of thing - men and women. Although you will see younger men in cargo shorts alot.

And unless you are hitting the very upscale restaurants you can pretty much wear the same thing day and night - using some obvious common sense and jewelry ;)

I would say layers and a couple hoodies or light jackets. It is a little chilly but not turtleneck or long sleeve weather. I would say capri's and pants and some nice tops but layer and I think you will be alright!

Stacy
www.edufire.com

We live in San Jose, where summer is warm, but we go to the coast and SF reasonable often - and we take a couple layers. Usually I wear capris or jeans, a short sleeve top, and take a hoodie and/or windbreaker. Some times I wear sandals and sometimes closed shoes. If you are someone whose feet get cold easily, forget the sandals.

Thanks for the advice! I'll get packing!

This morning I have a windbreaker over a light sweater. No need to bring gloves or hats.

Must get warmer during the day, the sun is out, so the key word is: layers. It will be hot one day, cold the other.

If going out of the city like wine country, summer clothes like capris and tanks.

It's 12;15, the fog is mostly burned off, the sun is out, I'm going to lunch and will let you know how warm it is and how people are dressed.

Aug. 4, 12:50. Grey and windy in Noe Valley.

August 4th, downtown (specifically Four Embarcadero). When I was outside around 12:15-12:30, it was sunny and beautiful, but cool. Now I'm back upstairs, look outside, and the fog is rolling in again!

Wow, I love San Francisco. I can't wait to visit. I'm still not packed but getting there. Thanks for all your help. Now just hold off on the earthquakes for the next week and I'll be all set!

I just returned from a week and a half in San Francisco. I wore long pants or jeans almost every day. I only wore sandals one day. Layering is highly recommended. I had a lightweight jacket that I wore everyday. I layered it with 3/4 length sleeve cotton tops and cotton lightweight sweaters. I live in the mid-Atlantic states where it was in the mid to upper eighties during the time that i was in SF.

I did see many people wearing shorts, capris, and sandals. They also appeared to be cold. Many, many people were also wearing fleece jackets with a SF logo (sold for less than $20 in the Fisherman's Wharf area) that they purchased after they found out how cold it really is.

Even my husband, who rarely gets cold, was wearing a light fleece-lined top and a golf jacket.

"I did see many people wearing shorts, capris, and sandals. They also appeared to be cold." - I didn't know Kal was in San Francisco!

San Francisco is one city where you can wear a leather jacket 12 months out of the year and be comfortable, depending on what you have on underneath it.

I'm in the Financial District right now. I commuted downtown from the western area of the City, close to Ocean Beach. There's a fog so thick out in my 'hood right now that it's rolling along the ground and my gutters were dripping a bit this morning. Here, it's not quite that misty, but it's very grey. It may burn off a bit before noon, maybe not.

I'd bring some chinos (long), some other slacks, short sleeve AND long sleeve tees, and a lightweight cardigan. Plus a jacket that can accomodate light layers underneath. Don't bother with a sundress or tank tops. It's just not like that in the summer here.

As I type, I am wearing a gabardine knee length skirt, a long-sleeve shirt, and opaque tights. Lightweight all-weather coat on top and a chiffon scarf for my neck. I could throw a dart at the calendar and bet that I'd be wearing the same any day of the year except for the colder months around the New Year.

By the way, I love the summers here in the City - the fog has drama and movement, is restful to the eyes and is GREAT for your skin!

Definitely bring something long sleeves, and a light weight and heavier weight jacket. We just visited there end of June and one day it was a heat wave almost 90's, next day it dropped to 60's, brrrr...