What to Pack for San Francisco: 5 Essentials for Every SF Packing List

Want insider tips on what to wear in San Francisco? You`ve come to the right place. I`ve called San Francisco home for over six years now, and am well-versed in microclimates, Indian Summers, and Karl the Fog. I`m happy to share my guide to packing for San Francisco here.

When spending time walking around San Francisco, especially in popular tourist areas like Fisherman’s Wharf and Union Square, you’ll undoubtedly see numerous “I <3 SF” sweatshirts. But why?

I can assure you it is definitely not because they are extremely fashionable.

More often than not, it’s because visitors show up in San Francisco picturing “California weather” – 80 degrees and sunny 24 hours a day/7 days a week/365 days a year – only to be greeted by fog, wind, and chillier-than-expected temperatures, particularly in the summer months when most tourists are visiting San Francisco.

While the weather in Los Angeles and San Diego may consist of idyllic conditions, this is certainly not the case in San Francisco, which experiences significantly different weather patterns than other parts of California.

So different, in fact, that SF’s fog even has its own name and Instagram account – Karl the Fog. Fortunate for you, you’ve got me, a local San Francisco inhabitant with experience in never leaving home without at minimum three extra layers, to assist you in determining what to pack for San Francisco.

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What to Pack for San Francisco: A Local Resident’s Complete Guide

Before reviewing the San Francisco packing essentials, let`s first discuss the typical weather to expect in San Francisco.

What is the Weather Like in SF?

The climate in San Francisco is quite mild. Rainfall is quite low, temperatures typically range between 55-70 degrees Fahrenheit, and the conditions are usually pleasant.

The interesting aspect regarding climate in San Francisco is that it varies significantly by district. In the Mission, it`s generally 5-10 degrees warmer than at Ocean Beach or in Golden Gate Park, which implies you must not only consider coping with the at times stark difference in daytime and nighttime temperatures, but also regarding the differences between neighborhoods.

In regards to what wet climate gear to bring, simply remember that San Francisco sees an average of two days of rain between May and August. TWO. Between May and September, it achieves roughly an average of an inch of rain.

In other words, do not worry unduly about rain in San Francisco.

Annually, as per NOAA, San Francisco gets on average 23.65 inches of rain. In comparison to 49.4 inches in New York City, 39.88 in Seattle, and 37.75 in Chicago, you’ll see that San Francisco doesn’t receive too much rain. Pack a rain jacket and possibly some waterproof rain boots at the very most, but I wouldn’t worry too much about other rain gear beyond that, even in the dead of winter.

Here is what weather is like in San Francisco by season.

Summer: June – August

Summer in California! I know growing up in Seattle, it’s something I always imagined. What it must have been like to escape from the gray that plagued Seattle for 9 months each year and into perpetual sunlight! Then I moved to San Francisco six years ago, and I found that summer in San Francisco often means thick fog in the morning and evening and a brisk wind, which is not something most people are aware of. Pack layers and a jacket for summer in SF, and count yourself fortunate if you’re actually able to view the Golden Gate Bridge through the fog during your San Francisco itinerary.

Fall: September – November

This is the best time to visit San Francisco – we generally have a warm and dry “Indian Summer,” which means it’s warm from Labor Day well into October, and sometimes even November.

It also aligns well with school restarting, meaning kids are back in school, and the number of visitors declines.

If wanting to catch a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge without Karl the Fog obstructing views, this is the time to do so. I highly recommend walking across the bridge into Sausalito as a fun little half day excursion.

Winter: December – February

Winter is chilly and gloomy, and it can be a little bit wet. I always laugh at Californians in the rain, having grown up in Seattle. It’s really not that bad, though I will say that when it rains, it pours mightily. Unlike Seattle, where more frequently than not it’s a constant cool mist, it POURS tremendously in San Francisco sometimes. If you’re visiting in the winter, pack a rain jacket, but that’s probably the extent of the winter-specific gear you need to bring. It’s not terribly cold, and it doesn’t snow, so rain is the only thing to watch out for.

Spring: March – May

The spring is a favorable time to visit San Francisco. The climate is consistent, it`s not too wet particularly in April and May, and the number of tourists is thin in comparison to summertime.

Plan for ~60 degree Fahrenheit days, cool nights (bring an extra layer), and good sun exposure. Additionally, Karl the Fog hasn`t fully awakened from his slumber to trouble tourists at the Golden Gate Bridge, so you might be able to grab some pictures without him interfering.

5 Essentials to Pack for a Trip to San Francisco

The goal here wasn`t to list seventeen generic things someone may need in most cities like money belts or water bottles, as those are necessities in many places. While those and at least one change of underwear, which wasn`t on the list, should be brought, other items more specific to San Francisco would be highlighted.

Instead, I want to focus on what items to bring to San Francisco that may differ from your expectations to best prepare you to make the most of your trip.

These are the five fundamentals that need to be on each San Francisco packing list.

Essential #1: LAYERS

When asked about appropriate attire in San Francisco, my initial recommendation is ALWAYS layers.

Experienced locals of the Bay Area are all aware that under no conditions should one depart without an outer garment. I don’t care if it’s 75 degrees Fahrenheit and sunny. By the time the sun disappears, there’s a chance it’s 55 degrees Fahrenheit, windy, and foggy. Thanks to Karl.

There are three essential elements that define me, like every other resident of San Francisco, which I consistently have on hand.

• The lightweight outer layer – The Patagonia Nano Puff jacket is a perfect outer layer for San Francisco (and travel generally). It has become a staple in San Francisco, and is worth investing in simply because I wear it almost every single day of the year. It`s a great thing to bring when going out for dinner – it can compress down into your bag/purse fairly easily – or when it`s a little colder than your preference. Both Alysha and I own the Patagonia Nano Puff, which we enjoy. Alysha finds hers so useful that she purchased a second version with a hood.
• The warm insulated vest – This is another excellent lightweight covering that can be added to your wardrobe to provide a bit of windproof warmth. I have a Patagonia Nano Puff vest. Another good place to look would be LL Bean – they offer vests of all kinds for you to choose from, from outdoorsy to more casual city wear.
• The quarter-zip fleece top – Another staple I wear constantly, especially after dark when temperatures start to drop. Consider LL Bean and the North Face for some good options (I really enjoy the LL Bean Colorblock Pullover!)

During winter weather: All-weather outerwear
This clothing item is particularly helpful in winter conditions, when precipitation is common. From my experience, one of the best jackets suited for both hiking trails and urban areas during rainy conditions is the Black Diamond Stormline Stretch Rain Shell (as someone familiar with the climate in Seattle can confirm). The North Face Resolve also merits consideration as a solid, more affordable option.

Essential #2: Comfortable Walking Shoes

The second factor to contemplate when you’re packing for San Francisco is comfortable walking footwear.

You’ve likely heard about the renowned hills in San Francisco. With pleasant climate for most of the year, it’s a delightful place to explore by foot.

However, keep the flip flops at home – you`ll want shoes that cover your whole foot for walking on the hilly terrain, and because the streets can be somewhat unsanitary.

Recommended Walking Shoes

Alysha and I both take pleasure in our Teva Arrowoods, which can withstand water and are exceptionally comfy to wander around in. I additionally possess a pair of Cole Haan GrandPro Sneakers that I’ve had for years, and are a good, comfy, less outdoorsy alternative.

The second is the Sinagoga del Tránsito, which is very different – much less ornate – and has a small but impactful museum (the Sephardi Museum) on the history of Judaism on the Iberian Peninsula.

In terms of women`s favorites, Alysha recommends keeping an eye out for booties around the city, as she is often seen wearing her preferred style from Franco Sarto, obtaining the same booties in approximately eleven hues.

Essential #3: A Solid Pair of Jeans

Jeans are extremely popular in San Francisco. I can almost not conceive of an event in San Francisco where jeans would be unacceptable. The clear exception would be a wedding or business meeting. I wear jeans nearly every day for work, and these will want to be brought along to SF – they will likely be worn throughout the entire time there.

Recommended Jeans

• If elevated lodging is preferred: Reside at Bastardo Hostel

I asked Alysha what she’d advise for women, and she brought up that her preferred jeans are Joe’s Jeans (purchase them at Nordstrom Rack for a steeply discounted price) and Madewell jeans (again, check Nordstrom Rack).

Essential #4: A Good Day Bag

This is another essential item to ensure is on your packing list for San Francisco. You will need somewhere to store your picnic supplies, extra clothing layers, and treats acquired along the way. Procure a comfy pack that can carry everything for a full day, as extensive walking around SF is likely.

Recommended Day Bags

Entry into these areas requires payment. A pass allowing access to all national parks and covering parking at most national monuments or forests is $80, or a daily pass per vehicle for any single national park is $30. We believe the annual pass is worthwhile for this trip, particularly if accommodations are outside the parks.

If your equipment involves cameras and you desire a camera bag, Peak Design is the preferred choice. Again, this San Francisco-based company creates fashionable and functional camera accessories. Their Everyday Backpack is considered the perfect camera backpack for travel currently available.

Essential #5: A Packable Tote Bag

Conserve the planet by adding an additional packable bag to your packing list for San Francisco. Plastic bags are prohibited in San Francisco, and paper bags simply cannot withstand exploring around SF all day.

• If an apartment is preferred: Stay at limehome Madrid Calle de la Madera

What NOT to Pack for San Francisco

There are a few items that strongly represent “CALIFORNIA” that I may decide to leave at home.

Flip Flops

You may assume that given the location of California, the climate in San Francisco would allow for wearing flip flops regularly. However, the environment in SF differs notably from other parts of the state, and days suitable for flip flops are infrequent there. Not only that, but there are two additional valid reasons why this type of footwear may not be the best choice.

First, hills. Have you ever tried walking up or down a sloped area in flip flops? It`s quite uncomfortable. And what will you find in abundance in San Francisco? Many hills. You`ll want to pack the aforementioned comfortable walking shoes and leave the flip flops at home.

Secondly, if we’re being fully honest, the streets of San Francisco aren’t exactly the cleanest around. You’re going to want shoes that fully enclose your feet.

High Heels

As mentioned for hiking footwear, ankle boots dubbed `booties` by Alysha are her go-to shoe option. She owns these boots in something like seventeen various hues (alright, three shades, but who`s truly keeping an accurate tally?).

Down Jackets

It can get chilly, but not THAT chilly. Even in winter, it only gets down into the 40’s at the coldest. Lightweight jacket over a sweater will be ample. This is the jacket that I bring with me everywhere in SF – it’s lightweight, packable, and plenty warm to ward off fog-induced chills that often hit San Francisco when the sun disappears.

Fancy Clothes

There is entirely no necessity to pack elaborate attire with the clear exceptions of weddings, business meetings, and a trip to the French Laundry in Napa.

San Francisco has a very casual culture. Even in the Financial District you won`t see too many individuals in suits. I remember being ASTONISHED the first time I visited Chicago and New York at how many people wore suits every single day. Not in San Francisco.

I wear jeans nearly every day of the year, as does my wife. Maybe bring a couple tops that are a bit dressier if you’re planning on going out.

For men, which is clearly an area of expertise for myself, party shirts are a top clothing selection in San Francisco. I’m quite fond of Bonobos short sleeve Riviera shirts, and my collection continues to develop day after day. They offer a wonderful way to subtly express individual personality while maintaining classiness. They frequently hold substantial sales promotions, and they cycle through the patterns seasonally, so you sometimes can obtain them at a discount price.

Shorts

On rare days since moving to San Francisco, I could comfortably wear shorts all day due to the weather. There is a good chance the morning will start out cold and foggy before warming up, or that the fog will roll in after sunset ruining any shorts weather. While packing a pair of shorts makes sense for trips out of the city to wine country or the East Bay where it is warmer, they likely won`t get much use within San Francisco itself.

Recap: The Essential San Francisco Packing List

Here is a brief review of how to pack for San Francisco.

The five essentials to wear in San Francisco:

• Outerwear: A lightweight jacket like the Patagonia Nano Puff along with a warm vest from brands like LL Bean and a warm pullover such as ones from LL Bean or North Face.
• Comfortable Footwear: Alysha and I love our Teva Arrowoods.Other brands include Cole Haan GrandPro Sneakers,Seavees, and New Balance. For women, look at comfortable booties like Alysha`s favorite Franco Sarto pair.
• Quality Jeans:Levi’s 512 Flex men`s style, Joe’s Jeans and Madewell jeans for women, often discounted at stores like Nordstrom Rack or their off-price outlets.
• Reliable Day Bag: Popular backpacks include those by Timbuk2 and the Parker Clay brand, which also offers totes. Peak Design is well suited for camera gear.
• Packable Tote: Check out the compressible bags from Baggu.

If visiting San Francisco in the winter, include a pair of rain boots and a sturdy rain jacket.

… And party apparel. All the party apparel.

…And what not to pack for San Francisco

• Shorts
• Flip Flops
• Down Jackets
• Fancy Attire

Review my other San Francisco guides to receive insider tips on San Frnacisco from a local resident.

Places to Lodge in San Francisco

A perfect 4 day itinerary for San Francisco

Excellent day trips close to San Francisco

Gluten Free Guide to San Francisco

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