San Francisco was my first home base as a new flight attendant. There were lots of things that surprised me about San Francisco when I moved there.

It was more beautiful than I had imagined. It was more expensive than I had imagined. And most of all, it was WAY colder than I had imagined.

The weather is something that you will want to keep in mind as you prepare your packing list for San Francisco.

Here are some things that you will want to pack for your trip to San Francisco.

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Prepare for San Francisco Weather

Let’s talk about the weather in San Francisco! Mostly…it’s on the cooler side, but not always!

Of course you will always want to check the forecast before you travel.

Here is what you can “generally” expect in San Francisco.

By the way, the climate in San Francisco does not show a lot of variation throughout the year. The main differences you will encounter are the amount of rain and fog versus the amount of sunshine.

• May – July: Are you aware that the average temperatures in JULY in San Francisco are the same as the average temperatures in DECEMBER in San Francisco. Summers in San Francisco are COOL. The average high in July in the city is 57 and the average low is 46. Be prepared for cool and foggy and occasionally rainy weather.
• August – October: In my opinion fall is the BEST time of year to visit San Francisco. The weather warms up a bit and the sun is usually shining with less fog. There is not much rain especially in September and October, although it can pick up a bit in November
• November – January: Honestly, these months are very similar to the summer months. It can be a definitely be a little chilly but it is very rarely truly cold. You can expect some rainy days in the winter as well.
• March – May: It does warm up a little in the spring and becomes much sunnier with less rain and fog. Spring is also a great time to visit.

What is the San Francisco Style?

So what do people wear in San Francisco? What is the general “style?”

• San Francisco is trendy but casual. Even the business people or tech workers might be wearing jeans and T-shirts, sweaters and sneakers.
• Colors are muted. People wear a lot of black and grey and neutrals and not a lot of bright color.
• People rarely wear shorts. It is almost never warm enough to be in shorts for an entire day.
• Jeans are ubiquitous, especially smart, trendy denim.
• Lots and lots of jackets or sweaters. Almost everyone will be carrying a jacket or a lightweight sweater even on a warmer day.
• Shoes with closed toes. There are two reasons for this: First, hills. Don’t forget that San Francisco is incredibly hilly and you won’t want to be walking those hills in flip flops or sandals. Second, the streets in certain parts of San Francisco (yes, even the touristy sections) are really dirty.
• Dresses are fine but I would suggest either wearing leggings under your dress or bringing a pair of leggings just in case. Why? First, because of the wind can pick up at any time and second, because the weather can change on a dime and leave you shivering.

Packing List For San Francisco

It’s all About the Layers

Layers are key when packing for this gorgeous city!

One thing that you might not know is that the weather is not only changeable from day to day in the city, but can also be different from place to place within the city ON THE SAME DAY.

You might find it cold and very windy at a Golden Gate Bridge viewing point and much, much warmer in the Mission District.

Layers are something that you will need to think through a little more than normal as you pack for a trip to San Francisco.

As you put together your outfits always ask yourself questions like: Do I have a jacket I can throw on if it suddenly gets cold and windy. What can I wear if the fog rolls in? Will I still like this outfit if it gets hot and I have to take the jacket off?

You should definitely bring a jacket or a windbreaker.

Sports and Puffer Jackets

You will see people wearing a lot of sports type jackets in San Francisco.

North Face is very popular brand there, but I wouldn’t go with anything too heavy. This North Face triclimate jacket is a good option because you can wear the layers individually depending on the temperature.

I have this North Face hooded rain jacket and it is also a great choice.

If you don’t want to spend North Face prices take a look at this great little puffer jacket!

Rain Jackets

This Columbia rain jacket is inexpensive and when combined with a sweater on a cool day will be all that you need for the San Francisco weather.

It comes in tons of colors including the typical black or grey that you will see most often in the city. It can double as either a rain jacket and a windbreaker.

Cardigans

Of course a cardigan is a perfect layering piece!

I adore this oversized cardi with the stripes on the arms! So cute! But you could also just go with something more basic like this waffle knit cardigan with pockets.

More Jackets

I love a great denim jacket. It might be my favorite layering piece of all. I prefer them a bit oversized like the one in the link.

Active Wear

There is a lot of walking and hiking and biking in San Francisco.

Be sure and bring some active wear. This two-piece set is super cute.

I like these joggers which are a bit of a Vuori dupe.

A Great Pair of Comfortable Shoes

One of the most important things to wear in San Francisco is a pair of comfortable shoes! You will be walking a lot and up and down some VERY steep hills.

I would suggest a great pair of sneakers. I adore my Hokas. I know that they aren’t the prettiest show in the world but they are SO comfortable.

These SeaVees are great, this is a brand I really like.

You might also opt for a cute pair of flat boots like this Ugg Ankle Boot which is both cute and comfy!

Jeans

There would be almost no place in San Francisco where jeans would not be acceptable.

Jeans are basically the queen of most wardrobes in the city. In fact, did you know Levis is a San Francisco company?

You could always pack a pair of Levi’s 505 straight jeans. A great basic!

Or any other trendy jean that you have in your wardrobe.

Travel Umbrella

Because of the unpredictability of the weather it is always a good idea to bring a nice travel umbrella with you when sightseeing in San Francisco.

Day Pack

A day pack is a good choice for carrying your stuff around San Francisco.

It can hold your water bottle, your umbrella, and your extra layers. Plus it makes it easier to navigate the hills because it leaves your hands free.

My favorite is this Osprey Ultralight.

Tote Bag

Did you know that San Francisco was the first city to outlaw single use plastic bags? If you are going to be doing any shopping while you are in town you might want to bring your own tote bag!

Water Bottle

You will definitely want to stay hydrated even though the weather may not be hot!

Plan to carry a water bottle with you for sightseeing and outdoor activities! You can carry one like the Takeya.

General Packing Tips For ANY Destination

Here are a few packing tips for ANY destination!

Always, Always Check the Weather Before You Leave

Always check the weather forecast the day before you go on a trip. This will give you time to add or remove a jacket, throw in an umbrella, or completely redo what you had planned to bring.

I’ll never forget FREEZING in Florence Italy in June because I had forgotten to check the weather and had packed nothing for cold weather.

Are You Packing Light or Bringing Whatever You Want?

Decide whether or not you are going light before you start packing.

Some of this may depend on how far you are going and whether or not you are flying or road-tripping.

Honestly, If we are taking a road trip I pretty much bring whatever I want. When I’m flying I pack much lighter.

What About Luggage?

Do you want something on wheels or do you want to carry your luggage on your back?

I’m a wheels person myself!

I have and love the Away Bag Bigger Carry On but it is a little pricy!

If you are looking for a carry on that is high quality but a little less expensive check out the Amazon Basics Carry On. It is under $100 and gets great reviews!

Roll or Fold?

Almost every packing guru will tell you that you need to roll your clothing rather than fold them. Y’all, I just can’t do it! I’m a folder not a roller.

However, I do LOVE using packing cubes and definitely recommend them. These are my favorite packing cubes.

You can divide items up anyway you like: by outfits, or tops in one and bottoms in another…pajamas, swimwear, etc.

I personally like to set up outfits, but do whatever works for you!

If you are really trying to squeeze a lot into a small suitcase you can use these Compression Cubes by Eagle Creek!

A Few More Basic Packing Tips

• Put the heaviest items towards the wheels of a rolling bag or in the bottom of your backpack. This will make a rolling bag more stable and not as likely to fall over and it will make your backpack more comfortable.

• Choose travel friendly fabrics (meaning things that don’t wrinkle) You don’t want to spend your vacation ironing do you? However, if you do bring something that wrinkles consider using this travel steamer instead of an iron.

• Bring a bag for laundry that will keep the dirty things separated from your clean items. I usually bring a waterproof travel laundry bag.

• Pack by outfit! This way you won’t bring individual items that you don’t actually need and won’t wear.

• Lay things out before you put them in your bag. This enables you to see what you don’t really need or what you might be missing!

I hope that this helps you to know what to wear in San Francisco and what to pack for your San Francisco vacation!

Have a great time visiting this fascinating city.

The post What to Wear in San Francisco: Packing List For San Francisco appeared first on Wear I Wandered.

None of us had ever lived in this amazing city before so we did a lot of exploring! My favorite thing about living in San Francisco was getting to see the Golden Gate Bridge. The view never gets old.

Here is a list of what I think are the best places to see the Golden Gate Bridge!

Where to Go For the Best Views of the Golden Gate Bridge!

Note: You may have heard that San Francisco is known for its fog. It is true.

There are many, many foggy days when visibility is low. See the photos below for proof. On a clear day we would have had a gorgeous shot of the bridge behind us.

If the fog is heavy you might not be able to see the bridge at all from many of these locations. Be sure and watch the weather before you go and keep your plans flexible because the conditions can change quickly.

Believe it or not some of the worst weather is in San Francisco is in the summer. Mark Twain has been attributed with saying that, “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.”

As a southern girl I can relate! I was shocked at how cold and foggy San Francisco was in the summer.

Interesting little tidbit: The color of the bridge is officially called “International Orange.”

Enjoy this list of the best places to see the Golden Gate Bridge.

Baker Beach

I’m going to start with Baker Beach.

This is my personal favorite of the best places to see the Golden Gate Bridge because I was engaged on this beach!

My then boyfriend, now husband, planned a surprise engagement with the help of my best friends. My friends and I had gotten dressed up ostensibly to go take “galentine’s” day photos.

Instead I became engaged and it was one of the best days of my life.

But enough about that!

Baker Beach is a gorgeous place with glorious views of the Golden Gate Bridge including the waves rolling onto the beach below. There is a parking lot on the hills above which makes Baker Beach easy to access.

Tip: Go near sunset on a clear afternoon to see the sun setting into the water and causing the colors of the bridge pop even more.

You might also be interested in my list of packing tips for San Francisco!

Marshall’s Beach

Marshall’s Beach has a similar view of the Golden Gate Bridge as Baker Beach, but it is even closer. The sunset views from here are also amazing.

You will be able to see the bridge glowing in the afternoon sun as waves crash on the rocks on this beach. In fact, Marshall’s Beach might win the photogenic award over Baker Beach because of the huge rocks scattered on the beach and in the water.

The only drawback is that Marshall’s beach is a little hard to get to.

You will have to do some hiking and the path down to the beach is fairly long and steep which of course means that the walk back UP is also long and steep.

To get to Marshall’s Beach take the Batteries to Bluffs Trail which runs along the ridge from the bridge to Baker Beach. About halfway you will find a detour to take you down to Marshall’s Beach.

The advantage of this beach being a little harder to get to is that is typically is a little more secluded.

Note: Because it is more secluded Marshall’s Beach is sometimes used as the nude beach so you might see more “views” than you bargained for.

Battery Spencer

Those iconic photos that you see most often of the Golden Gate Bridge? There is a good chance that they were taken at Battery Spencer.

This is the location of the most famous and dramatic view. The bridge will be in the foreground with the city in the background.

From this vantage point you are almost at an eye level with the bridge and there are no obstructions. You will not have any problems getting the perfect photo from here!

Battery Spencer is on the Sausalito side of the bridge. It is an old artillery battery that sits on the cliffs overlooking the northern end of the bridge.

This viewpoint is popular and it can be busy but you should be able to spread out a little from the crowds to enjoy the views.

If you go at sunset the sun will be behind you and will bathe the bridge in a gorgeous glow. To avoid the crowds go in the morning.

Tip: These cliffs are known for being cold and windy so dress appropriately!

Fort Point National Historic Site

At Fort Point you will get an interesting perspective of the bridge because you will be below it!

Fort Point is now a National Historic Site. With its position on the bay it protected San Francisco from early days through WWII.

The fort is now a museum which you can tour. You can even go on the roof of the fort and look straight up through the delicate but strong lattice work of the bridge.

This is the spot where architecture buffs will want to go to see more of the way the bridge was construced.

Battery East Vista Point

Not too far from Fort Point you will find The Battery East Vista Point.

This area was revamped within the last decade with help from a grant given by the Tiffany & Co. Foundation.

There are now bicycle, pedestrian, and accessible paths as well as a concrete plaza with terraced seating which makes it nice for visitors to just sit and and relax and soak up the views.

The views of the bridge from Battery East Vista Point are gorgeous and this is an easy spot to visit!

Crissy Field

Crissy Field was once a military airfield and is now a public park. Much of it is a large flat, grassy field. It is a perfect place to spread out a blanket and bask in the sun with a picnic lunch.

It is also a stunning place to walk or bike. There is a promenade with iconic views of the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.

The park is on the water and therefore you won’t have a high view of the Bridge, but it is lovely none the less.

Make your way down to the beach while you are here to get another view of the bridge from the water’s edge or walk out on the pier for a slightly different vista.

Tip: You can walk or bike from Fort Point to Crissy Field with nice views along the way!

Land’s End

Land’s End is farther away than most of the other places that I’ve mentioned, but wow!

This is located on the northwest end of San Francisco and the trails here will give you a wilder view of the Golden Gate bridge with wide open sea and lots of vegetation.

At every turn on the trail you will find another stunning view!

Be sure to check out the ruins of Sutro Baths while you are out this direction.

Tip: You will definitely need to pick a clear day if you want a view from Land’s End, but it will definitely be worth it!

Fort Baker

Fort Baker is on the Sausalito side and sits near and below the bridge.

You can choose to go down to the water to see the Golden Gate Bridge or hike up the hills for a different and stunning view point.

There is even a pier on the shoreline and if you are traveling with kids you might want to check out The Bay Area Discovery Museum at Fort Baker which focuses on San Francisco Bay history and ecology.

Kirby Cove

This is the Insta-famous beach you might have seen…it is the one with the swing!

Unfortunately the swing is not always there – probably because the instagramers made this spot a little too popular. Swing or no, this pocket sized beach still has gorgeous views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

You will have to do a little hiking to Kirby Cove! The path to the cove is pretty steep and about a mile long but you will descend through a pretty wooded area and come out on a small but gorgeous beach with an amazing view of the bridge.

Even though it isn’t easy to get to and even though you might not get your perfect photo on the swing this is still a wonderful place to view the Golden Gate Bridge.

Hope you enjoyed this list of the best places to see the Golden Gate Bridge.

Thanks for stopping by!

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