Since it is wintertime, it's quite obvious that it will be cold in San Francisco. But temperatures can actually vary quite a bit during the winter - anywhere from the mid-high 30s to the low 60s on a warmer winter day. One thing is guaranteed: the weather in SF is completely unpredictable and will vary throughout the day.
In the city itself, the different districts and neighborhoods also have their own micro climates. During the same hour on a given day, one end of the city to the other (a distance of just 7 miles) can bring banks of thick fog, patches of sun, wind tunnels, and areas of rain, which means that it helps to be prepared for anything.
Tips for what to wear during the winter in San Francisco:
Layers are key - both lightweight and heavier layers: warm sweaters, t-shirts, scarves, hoodies (anything that is easy to remove if the sun peeks out and it becomes warm suddenly, but easy to carry and put back on when the clouds roll in)
A warm coat, especially for walking around the city.
Comfortable closed toed shoes & socks - flip flops are for the August/September/October months.
Casual for all seasons: San Francisco is one of the more casual cities out there - even during the winter when it's easier to dress up. Jeans, khakis, etc. are all acceptable - even at nicer restaurants. Comfortable and casual (with layers) is the way to go.
Tips for what to do during the winter (on a nicer day):
San Francisco will be cold, but will definitely have a good number of days in the winter where there isn't any rain - so outdoor activities are still doable!
Outdoor Ice Skating: Yerba Buena Gardens and the Embarcadero Center both have great ice rinks in the winter.
City Lights Cruise: The Red and White Fleet offers cruises around the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and more during the winter season, dubbed the City Lights Cruise. This two-hour cruise offers views of the city skyline at night, while a hearty buffet, drinks, and live music keep the ambiance enjoyable.
Point Reyes Whale Watching: Dress warmly and grab some comfortable shoes for some of the best whale watching in the Bay Area. During the winter, the clear views at Point Reyes around Chimney Rock and the Lighthouse are hot spots for whale watching.
Visit Alcatraz: Tours to the island are offered year-round, and entrance to Alcatraz is free (although the ferry to get to Alcatraz requires a ticket, best bought in advance).
Tips for what to do during the winter (on a rainy day):
Museums are great places to hide out on a rainy day - the MOMA and Exploratorium are open daily during the winter and offer hours of enjoyment.
Take a factory tour: TCHO chocolate offers tours of their factory daily, and just across the Bay Bridge in Berkeley, you can learn how sake is made at Takara Sake. A drive north takes you to the Jelly Belly Factory.
Mission Cliffs Climbing and Fitness: Looking for something active even in bad weather? Mission Cliffs offers indoor climbing (from beginner to expert levels), regardless of the winter weather outside.
Go Shopping: San Francisco has some of the best shopping around. The hot spots are in the Union Square / Westfield Mall area (which has the largest selection of brands, stores, and clothing items, Chestnut Street (lined with a mix of boutique, sophisticated shops, beauty outlets and restaurants alongside brand name retailers), and Hayes Valley (which is full of art galleries, contemporary boutiques, interior design studios, outdoor cafes and wine bars).
For more ideas, explore all our deals for things to do in SF.
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Things To Do In Pacifica
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A Grape in the Fog (AGITF) is a wine bar in Pacifica, California, and celebrates the best of coastal living. With a fun and customer-friendly atmosphere, AGITF, is the perfect place to relax with wine either by the glass, flight or by the bottle. We offer craft-style beers and cider. AGITF offers a sharing menu, too.
400 Old County Rd
Pacifica,
CA
US
The friendly staff at Longboard Margarita Bar serves up savory eats and refreshing margaritas in a laid-back, beach-themed setting. Fingers can unearth jalapeños, onions, tomatoes, olives, and more from a heaping mound of nachos ($6) and complement the feast with fresh-squeezed fruit swirls with tequila in Longboard's singular cocktails, which include the Burrito mojito ($7.50) and Misdemeanor margarita ($9), electrified with green chartreuse and zesty jalapeño. Enjoy postfeast euphoria atop a plush couch in the bar's warmly lit interior, or prepare for a posteuphoria sock hop by shimmying to weekly live music while half smiling.
180 Eureka Sq
Pacifica,
CA
US
The sky is overcast, and an instructor stands off to the side of the riding area with a camera in hand. Chance, a leather-brown horse, stands poised, ready to jump over an x-rail. Moments later, Chance gallops toward the hurdle, throwing its front legs into the air and gracefully arcing over the lofty obstacle.
This is just another day at Aspire Equestrian, where passionate trainers lead private and group riding lessons for students of all ages and levels of expertise. With a community-like feel, the instructors at Aspire hope students riders gain a comfortable atmosphere to learn and enjoy their new skills. The equine enthusiasts also board horses and lease select animals to people who want to hit the trails on their own or secure better lawn seats at the next outdoor music festival.
One Picardo Ranch
Pacifica,
California
US
When Cliff Hodges, the founder and CEO of Adventure Out, graduated from MIT with a degree in electrical engineering, he knew a traditional desk job wasn't for him. According to Technology Review, he quickly gave up his engineering career for the wireless world of the great outdoors, where he began to hike, climb, and surf his way around the world, always staying true to his philosophy of environmental respect and protection.
His travels and business accomplishments have gained some measure of notoriety; he's coached on MTV's Made, consulted for ABC News, and was selected as one of four winners of the 2011 Santa Cruz County Civic Service Award: The Nextie. Adventure Out was also identified for meeting survival skills training standards by The New York Times best-selling author Tim Ferriss in The 4-Hour Chef.
Today, he and his program consultant Tom McElroy lead excursions into the California wilderness to teach backpacking and survival skills, including the tracking of animals and wild ice-cream trucks, and they also guide novices through surfing, rock-climbing, and mountain-biking sojourns. Through fundraising, Adventure Out has helped save Castle Rock State Park from closure and a portion of their proceeds is put directly back into the park.
5100 Pacific Coast Highway
Pacifica,
CA
US
At Pacifica Athletic Center, clients can sculpt chiseled physiques on BodyMasters Abductor machines and bench presses or receive guidance from personal trainers or instructors in the 2,000-square-foot martial arts gym. Renowned Muay Thai kickboxer Kenya Prach teaches fighting techniques alongside taekwondo experts Master Mangonon and Kyo Sa Nim in the martial arts gym, which houses a 20-foot elevated ring. The fitness center's Kid Zone keeps children distracted from their plans to annex sections of the neighbors' yard. Free amenities such as chilled mint-scented towels, modern showers, and coffee are available.
540 Crespi Dr
Pacifica,
CA
US
