It’s not always 72°F and sunny in California—especially here in the Bay. San Francisco is famous for its year-round fall weather. The answer to: Should I bring a light jacket? Is always an emphatic: Yes.
The weather doesn’t only change day to day; it can vary dramatically, even by neighborhood. In fact, Silicon Valley and San Francisco may as well be on different continents. A summertime lunch in the Valley might give you a sunburn. Return to the city for happy hour, and you may wish you packed a scarf.
“The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco” was the coolest thing Mark Twain never said, but whoever did say it was right. The real San Francisco summer is during September and October.
Insider Tip: Since the weather varies from neighborhood to neighborhood, you might want to download the Mr. Chilly app that shows you what temperatures to expect within the city’s microclimates. Get up to the minute updates and even use the built-in toggle bar to view predictions for neighborhoods you’re planning to visit later in the day.
