Average Weather/What to Pack
The highs from November-April typically stay in the high fifties and the low
sixties, with the evening temps hovering in the low- to mid-forties. From May to
October, temperatures top out at 70 and kick back to a low- to mid-fifties at night. You'll suffer some pretty chilly days during the winter season. With winds whipping off the ocean, you might want to bundle up. North, east, and south of the city, summers are warmer.
Thin cottons are usually fine for the Wine Country (Sonoma), but in the city, it’s always a good idea to wear many different layers and a backpack to carry them in when visiting warmer neighborhoods.
Transportation
Oh, those hills. If you're driving in San Francisco, remember a couple of things. When parking on an incline, make sure your tires are turned toward the curb. Also, there are a lot of one-way streets in SF. Keep an eye on the signs. We suggest using public transportation at all costs. Remember, trolleys abound. Using your feet might prove a wise idea, especially since you won't have to trouble yourself with parking--not very fun around here--you'll be towed for sure if illegally parked. This is a great city for walking.
Cable cars are definitely hip. But with the hipness comes crowdedness. If you've yet to venture out on a cable car, remember to move toward one
quickly as it pauses, find the first available space, and hang on! Riding in an open-air cable car is definitely a thrill for first-timers. The fare (for one direction) is $2. Exact change is preferred, but operators
will make change up to $20.
San Francisco Municipal Railway System, or Muni, includes
buses, light-rail vehicles, and antique trolleys. Some lines offer 24-hour service, and
the fare is $1. The exact fare is always required; dollar bills or change are
accepted. Transfers are issued free upon request at the time the fare is
paid. Weekly and monthly passes and bus tokens that offer reduced rates are available for purchase in some drug stores and book shops. Discounted rates of $.35 always apply to seniors, children, and people with disabilities.
And, for folks who want to travel a bit further, there's the Bay Area
Rapid Transit (BART) trains that travel to Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond, Colma, Martinez, Fremont and Concord. Fares run from $1.10 to $4.70, and a $3
excursion ticket buys a three-county tour. BART only has a few stations in SF, including two in the Mission, three downtown, and a couple servicing some of the more suburban areas of the City.
In-Season Costs
You can bank on San Francisco being pretty costly year round. Since it's a major tourist hub, prices are often escalated. However, keep your eyes peeled for package deals. Sometimes you can score big.
Day Trips
Across the Bay Bridge, Berkeley is a university town great for exploring. This town boasts a bohemian spirit. Mingle with liberal college students and throw-backs from the 60s. Berkeley's Telegraph Avenue is filled with funky coffee shops and is great for shopping.
Also East of SF is Oakland, once considered a brash, rough-and-tumble spot. Now the city's historical sites and diverse neighborhoods have taken over.
Let's not forget Wine Country, north of San Francisco. Napa and Sonoma counties are, undisputedly, the capitals of wine production in the United States. In this neck of the rolling hills, you'll also find fabulous restaurants and resorts, day spas and hot springs.
Of course, if time allows, you can drive up the coast to Mendocino, south to the stunning natural beauty of Big Sur, or take a lengthier southward journey to Los Angeles or San Diego.
