Travelling to San Francisco

[surgtech1956]

We're thinking about taking a winter vacation - in February, thinking about either SanFrancisco(or maybe Florida). Any thoughts, advice, maybe this isn't a good time of year to go?

8002

[Blueberry]

I fell in love with San Diego when I was there a few weeks ago. Might be worth a look-see:) The weather will still be moderate, and you can see the seals and sea lions:)

CA

[Aggie_Ama]

We went to the Bay Area last February for my birthday. We got in on 2/15 and stayed until 2/19. The Tour of California goes on at that time so we caught a few stages of that. We also went to Fisherman's Wharf, the Muir Woods, out to Bodega Bay and Alcatraz. The day we went to Alcatraz it was dreary and rainy but the other days it was really pretty. I don't know what the norm is but it was around 60-70 for the high and sunny all but that last day. The days are short is the only complaint since we wanted to do tons of stuff. We are thinking of going back again this year at the same time. Southwest is super cheap to fly to the Bay Area and we wanted to see more than we were able to.

[surgtech1956]

Thanks Aggie, what hotel did you stay at?

[Meaux]

I think the weather there is pretty steady (temperature-wise) year round. My husband and I went there on our honeymoon at the end of October/beginning of November (three years ago!). It's a really neat place and there's a lot to do. We didn't have to rent a car, the public transportation was really great and we were able to walk to a lot of places. Hope you have fun!

[Aggie_Ama]

Thanks Aggie, what hotel did you stay at?


We stayed at the Sheraton in Petaluma, which I would recommend only if you are traveling the area extensively as we were. The hotel was wonderful but about 40 minutes north of the Golden Gate. We went from San Jose to Santa Rosa. I think we had to fill up the rental twice! But we were trying to see parts of the race and flew into San Jose. San Jose was an easy drive up and was $150/person cheaper is why we did it. Our plans meant we needed a rental anyway, my husband's aunt and uncle were there for a week in October and didn't get a rental. They did Napa one day and just rented a car for that.

This year we are looking at maybe going again and flying into Oakland. If you go there is tons to do and see, I would recommend a guide book. We flew by the seats of our pants and found there is way too much to do for that. It is one of the big reasons we already want to go back.

BTW- I have been to Florida in November and December and it is nice there in winter with some cold but mostly still shorts weather but I love San Francisco so much I would vote there. Although I must say I haven't been anywhere super cool in Florida like Key West, just Disneyworld mainly (which I love).

[vinbek]

I live in the East Bay about 20 miles from the City. This is a micro-climate area and it can be 70 degrees at my house and 55 in San Francisco. Its never really cold and we ride bikes on the road all year round. Its best to layer. In February it can be warm and sunny or cold and rainy. Its really just a gamble. You can go to Twin Peaks and see the city from a wonderful view, there is Union Square for shopping and eating, the Embarcadero area, Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown. You can go to the Presidio and walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. Be sure to visit the Sports Basement in the Presidio. You can walk or drive down Lombard - the crooked street! Visit Ghiradelli Square, The San Francisco Zoo, the new California Academy of Science is a must - http://www.calacademy.org/ , lunch in Salsalito or Tiburon, Wine country - Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley, the spas in Calistoga, hike out to Pt. Reyes, or Muir Woods or Mt. Tamalpais. You can only do so much, so I would plan to rent a car or take tours. It all depends on what you want to do!

[jobob]

What VB said. Plan for rain in February; January through March is our rainy season (ETA: Just to clarify, we generally get rain Nov thru April, but the bulk of it is Jan-March).

We generally don't get the long days of drizzle as in the Pacific Northwest, we tend to get storms which dump a lot of rain and then go away reasonably quickly. Unless they don't. :p

But when it's not raining it's absolutely gorgeous out, and the hills are a stunning emerald green. Temperatures in Feb rarely go below 40; they're more in the 50 deg range. Unless they aren't.

And like VB mentioned, there are microclimates galore and the temperatures can vary by a good 20 degrees the farther away from the ocean you go. In Feb, as you go farther inland, the temps may decrease somewhat.

On the other hand, in the summer, it can be 50 degrees in SF (aka The City - but do not call it Frisco, the natives do not like that) and can be 100 further inland. You know Samuel Clemens' saying "the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco?" Very true. We went on a vacation trip to SF in August when I was 12, ("California!" thought us "It should be hot!") and we froze our azzes off. Then we drove up to Lakeport, about an hour or two northeast, and it was 110. :eek:

As for things to do, VB gave a nice overview there. Lots of places to see and things to do. But do drive up Highway 1 to Marshall and have barbecued oysters at Tony's. :cool:

[Aggie_Ama]

Oh great Jobob, you are saying it was a fluke last year and we were blessed with lovely weather?

I would venture to guess it is still better than Michigan in February. :p

[Irulan]

I was in Sonoma county three weeks ago and it poured all weekend. I had forgotten that when it rains in California, it freaking pours. None of this spotty drizzle we get up here.

[jobob]

Oh great Jobob, you are saying it was a fluke last year and we were blessed with lovely weather? Not really. :)

IIRC, you were in town during the first couple of stages of the Tour of CA? It was gorgeous those days. But from day 3 of the tour onward, it rained.

But, the year before, the weather was lovely for practically the entire tour, which is a week in mid-February.

So February weather is a crapshoot, as it were. :cool:

[Aggie_Ama]

So February weather is a crapshoot, as it were. :cool:

Sounds like Texas, actually I just think it is February. Some years it has iced on my birthday, some years it has been close to 90. :rolleyes:

[andtckrtoo]

I think JoBob summed it up (and made me laugh!). I love this area and February can produce some of the most memorable rides! But we had a sales bootcamp in Feb once and a friend from Mass came out to visit - we decided we wanted to walk the Golden Gate. The problem - we hit the bridge about the same time one of those lovely downpours started. We each had rain coats on, but we walk about half way across the bridge and ran back - we were wringing out our pants legs when we got back. Fortunately, we were able to get some great clam chowder on Fisherman's wharf, so we warmed up right quick. :P

I also remember a friend coming out in January and we had one of the best mountain bike rides ever. The trails were clear, the skies that incredible blue you usually only see at altitude and everything was sooo green! It is a crap shoot. Unfortunately, we seem to be getting drier every year, so you might just luck out. Either way, San Francisco is a beautiful city. You'll love it. But if you want fun in the sun, head to Florida.

[greycoral]

I looooove San Francisco. I grew up in southern California, but as an adult lived in Nor Cal, with about 3 of those years in the city of SF, and 6 years overall in the Bay Area.

I miss it soooo much! I went down for my birthday last feb (the 14th), and the weather could not have been better. A welcome change to the grey rain we get up here in PDX. I'm probably moving back in a couple years (after college) because I miss it so much!

But like the post before...if you're looking for a better chance of sunny days, it might be too much of a gamble.

[jobob]

How ironic, I love Portland. LeeBob and I have discussed moving up there eventually.

But that said, the dreary weather might get to me after a while. I honestly don't know.

[greycoral]

How ironic, I love Portland. LeeBob and I have discussed moving up there eventually.

But that said, the dreary weather might get to me after a while. I honestly don't know.

yeah, the rain can definitely wear on you.