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Weather, San Francisco
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Weather, San Francisco

Weather tips posted by real travelers and San Francisco locals.
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Weather: Changing Weather
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  • pigletsmom
  • By pigletsmom on May 11, 2004
  • San Francisco Page by pigletsmom
  • The day can start out hot in Pacifc Heights, and by 2pm be absolutely freezing on the Golden Gate Bridge. The winds come off the water and make it really cold and uncomfortable rather quickly. 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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    Weather: Is it hot, or is it cold?
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  • spgood301
  • By spgood301 on January 18, 2005
  • San Francisco Page by spgood301
  • In San Francisco, sometimes it's both hot and cold at the same time. It seems to depend on whether you're in the sun or shade-the sun's too hot, the shade's too cool.

    Going out here, I tend to overdress-you can always take something off. Besides, I really don't want to spend money on a sweatshirt at Fisermans Wharf if I can help it. Nights can be especially chilly.

    My advice on dressing here is...well, I really don't have any-if I can't figure it out myself, why would you listen to me!

    Still, it beats being home in the winter! :-)

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    Weather: Fog in Summer
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  • TravelSimone
  • Updated By TravelSimone on July 1, 2005
  • San Francisco Page by TravelSimone
  • Fog in Summer Over SF Bay - San Francisco
    Fog in Summer Over SF Bay
    by TravelSimone
    It generally is NOT hot in the summer months. Be prepared for many, many foggy days in July and August. Of course, on the east side of town the fog usually burns off by mid-day, but it can just as easily roll back in late afternoon. You will not need a winter coat, but I do recommend a light jacket for the day, and then a warmer jacket (like leather) for night.

    The photo accompanying this tip was taken on June 30, 2005, from the roof of my apartment. As the news reports were providing heat warnings for the inland areas and giving people advice on how to keep themselves safe during days of extreme heat, this is what it looked like right next to the Golden Gate Bridge at 4:00pm. It was approximately 30F degrees cooler in San Francisco than it was less than 30 miles away.

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    Weather: Temperature can drop very quickly
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  • SLLiew
  • By SLLiew on August 28, 2006
  • San Francisco Page by SLLiew
  • If you are planning to spend the whole day and night exploring the city, beware that temperature can drop very fast night.

    Depending on the time of the year and changing bay weather conditions, you can be fine with T-shirt in the sunny morning and then shivering at night if you do not bring a warm jacket.

    So better carry a sweater or jacket, then be sorry. Of course, it is great excuse to buy new clothes if you have some money to spend.

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    Weather: Wind
  • Tip Rating:
  • SteveOSF
  • Updated By SteveOSF on September 20, 2007
  • San Francisco Page by SteveOSF
  • The California Flag Flaps in the Wind near Market - San Francisco
    The California Flag Flaps in
    the Wind near Market
    by SteveOSF
    Don't Get Blown Away!

    Being on the coast, San Francisco knows how to kick up a good wind. It is not uncommon for a strong wind to be present on an otherwise warm day. Don't be surprised if you are faced with the choice of wearing a jacket and boiling over or getting blasted by wind. Some locations are more likely to get windy; such as, Downtown and the Financial District where the high rises create wind tunnels, Civic Center (near Market Street and Van Ness Avenue), Ocean Beach, the Marina, Twin Peaks, and the deck of the Golden Gate Bridge. Due to the City's microclimates, it is common for one neighborhood to experience gusty winds while a nearby neighborhood has dead calm. You may want to bring a jacket when you head out on the town.

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    Weather: Pack that fleece!
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  • Dabs
  • By Dabs on September 21, 2009
  • San Francisco Page by Dabs
  • There's a reason why you will see loads of people walking around wearing Fisherman's Wharf fleece pullovers, they didn't read up on the weather before they came to San Francisco! September is one of the warmer months here and I wore mine quite frequently in the evening, I was even a little chilly wearing it on the way back from Alcatraz at night.

    And although there's no evidence that Mark Twain ever said "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco" there's a reason why it is oft quoted, temperatures above 80F are considered a heat wave and the average high temperature in June, July and August is 66-67F with lows in the mid 50s, winds off the bay can also create a wind chill that makes it feel even colder.

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    Weather: Layers, Always
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  • drummerliz
  • Updated By drummerliz on March 9, 2006
  • San Francisco Page by drummerliz
  • No Matter how beautiful the day begins, it will get cold by 2 or 3 o'clock. Always have a sweatshirt or flannel or something with you. The wind is cold and strong. some of us love it this way, but it is not typical american summer weather and will catch the unsuspecting off-guard. Locals do not buy San Francisco sweatshirts. It's an advertisement you got caught unawares and it's the reason there are sweatshirt vendors every 2 feet. ;>)... The winter is rainy, the summer is dry, but cold and foggy. Warmest month is probably September, with little mini summers in late june.

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    Weather: The San Francisco fog has...
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  • feline01
  • By feline01 on August 26, 2002
  • San Francisco Page by feline01
  • Weather - San Francisco
    by feline01
    The San Francisco fog has quite a reputation and it is well deserved. It is thick. It is moist. And it will blind you instantaneously especially if you are driving through it. It is pretty though. This shot was taken of the Golden Gate Bridge. Imagine what it was like for the cars on the bridge.

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    Weather: Not a real danger, just...
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  • BR0WND0G
  • By BR0WND0G on August 25, 2002
  • San Francisco Page by BR0WND0G
  • Weather - San Francisco
    by BR0WND0G
    Not a real danger, just something to keep in mind: As a writer once said, 'The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.'

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    Weather: Be prepared for the fog!
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  • acemj
  • Updated By acemj on June 26, 2003
  • San Francisco Page by acemj
  • Weather - San Francisco
    by acemj
    Part of the lore and romance of San Francisco is the fog, but it can play havoc with your photography plans. It can also be dangerous for your travel plans. Flying and driving can be risky in heavy fog, so be careful.

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