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San Francisco Packing Lists

Tips on what to pack for a trip to San Francisco, posted by real travelers and San Francisco locals.
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San Francisco Packing ListsTips 1 - 10 of 172  
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Fog / Weather Conditions: "The coldest winter I ever spent........
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  • By Callavetta on June 8, 2004
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    by Callavetta
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    ... was a summer in San Francisco". OK, so this quote is incorrectly attributed to Mark Twain, and who knows really said it. But the message is clear. San Francisco has its own special air conditioner. When the fog comes in, or the winds blow, it can be COLD. You can buy the really cheap fleece sweatshirts the countless Fisherman's Wharf vendors sell, or you can come prepared. The key is LAYERS.

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    Sweater / Jacket: Bring a sweater and/or windbreaker
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  • Updated By Andraf on February 19, 2004
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  • Fighting the wind at Twin Peaks - San Francisco
    Fighting the wind at Twin
    Peaks
    by Andraf
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    Before I moved to San Francisco I read in a few travel guides that the city can be foggy and cold in the summer (especially in August). Somehow I failed to understand that statement to its full extent. I've always thought of California as "sunny California" (a thought which I feel was always in my mind since I don't remember where and how I picked it up). Consequently I didn't bring a sweater (why do it, since I was coming to sunny California?). Next day almost frozen I went out and I bought one. In conclusion if you plan to visit San Franscisco in the summer bring a sweater. Even when it's sunny outside some places in SF can be quite windy, so it's better to be prepared.

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    Clothes For Layering: Pack a Variety of Clothing
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  • Updated By madamx on March 4, 2006
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  • We were in San Francisco in the fall, which is probably the best time to go. I found the weather varied from 80 degrees to 58, depending on the location, time of day, rain or fog. So bring stuff that can be layered. Oh, and an umbrella! If it's cold and foggy in the city, as soon as you cross the bridge to Marin County, it can be immediately hot and sunny.

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    Fog / Weather Conditions: SAN FRANCISCO WEATHER
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  • Updated By Sandi-2004 on November 3, 2004
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  • Winter brings rain - San Francisco
    Winter brings rain
    by Sandi-2004
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    Based on weather.com's yearly averages for San Francisco, the temperature reaches the 70's F (20's C) in June through mid-October, with September being the warmest month (because of the amount of wind and fog during the summer). Lows are in the 50's F (10-13 C) during those months. From November to May, average high's are in the 50's and 60's F with lows in the 40's F. So, you can see that you need to bring sweaters and a light jacket in the summer & a warm coat in the winter when you come to San Francisco. The winds off the ocean can make it feel a lot colder. California gets almost all of it's rain in the winter months, with January being the coolest time with the most rain. You can always check the 10 day forecast on weather.com before you pack for your trip.

    Last Christmas we had an early dinner at a friend's house in SF and it was so warm and sunny that we left the doors and windows open all day. No need for a sweater that day.

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    Comfortable Shoes: break your shoes in before you come
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  • Updated By richiecdisc on November 15, 2005
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  • D and her aching feet - San Francisco
    D and her aching feet
    by richiecdisc
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    A backpack makes using San Francisco's extensive mass transit system much easier. As with any transit system, you're not left off right at your hotel/hostel so getting from your drop off point to where you want to go is greatly facilitated.

    Comfortable as well as well broken in shoes are a must. D bought new ones before the trip and paid dearly after a few days of tackling San Fran's considerable hills. Dress in layers as the weather is highly changeable.

    Wish I had my old wide angle with me. I lost parts of the bridge on numerous occasions.

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    Sweater / Jacket: Bring extra sweaters
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  • By pigletsmom on May 11, 2004
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  • Dresss in layers and always bring a jacket and more sweaters than you think you need. In the afternoons and evenings it starts to get cold. The Golden Gate bridge can be freezing with it's windy conditions even on a lovely day. Fishermans' wharf can also be cold due being right on the water.

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    Clothes For Layering: Don't make the mistake.........
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  • By bugalugs on October 25, 2003
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  • Don't make the mistake we did and think that because you are travelling to California in August you wont need any warmish clothes. In fact in San Francisco down by the sea the wind whipped up and it was really cold. I had a cardigan (thankfully) but it really still was'nt enough.

    Take good comfy shoes for walking and pack a fold up brolly in case it rains, or if not and the sun is too hot, you can use it as a parasol.

    Unless you need certain prescribed medicines you will be able to find whatever you are requiring when you get here.

    Films for camera/batteries are widely available at much the same price.

    If it is hot, take (or buy one here) one of those little mini fans to cool you down.

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    Some suggestions
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  • Updated By davequ on July 22, 2005
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  • © Robert Crumb ... ALL rights reserved - San Francisco
    © Robert Crumb ... ALL rights
    reserved
    by davequ
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    Make sure the shoes are really good for walking support & mucho truckin; (I know, he hates the whole truckin' schtick... but I like R Crumb) light rain gear & windbreaker. Layers for warmth, and don't assume it is warm in the summer.

    Splurge on that new lens / camera you've been thinking about. There's nowhere better to take pix than here.

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  • Website: http://www.crumbproducts.com/

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    Sweater / Jacket: This Ain't Malibu, Baby -- Bring a Jacket
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  • Updated By Rixie on June 23, 2003
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  • Bring warm clothes with you. San Francisco is located on the water, and even on the hottest summer day, the fog can roll in quickly. When that happens, the wind comes up, and the temperature can plummet as much as 20 degrees in a short time. There's a famous quote that's attributed, mistakenly, to Mark Twain: "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco." Regardless of who said or didn't say it, it's true. I would never go to The City wearing shorts, or without a jacket. When we exchanged homes with a Dutch family last year, we warned them about this, but they couldn't believe it was true. They later reported that by midafternoon on their first jaunt to SF, the fog came in and sent them running for the car. :)

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    Clothes For Layering: Layer, layer, layer!
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  • By jessicadf on August 7, 2004
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  • SF under the Summer fog blanket - San Francisco
    SF under the Summer fog
    blanket
    by jessicadf
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    Whatever you'd generally use.

    Bring layers of clothes, and don't forget windbreakers and/or pullovers. Especially if you're visiting in the Summer. This is not Southern California, and San Francisco can be downright chilly in the Summertime. Spring and Autumn are the best time of year for warm weather.

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