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 Sonoma
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A fire swept through the Mayacamas Mountains foothills in 1964, creating an environment ripe for the knobcone pines that quickly repopulated the land. Four years later, Jane Davenport Jansen purchased more than 40 acres of the nascent thicket, taming it with vineyards planted on the open valley floor. In 1987, she began cultivating a garden along the rocky, steep hillsides, which were pocked with the remains of abandoned rock quarries. Heavy rains and natural infiltration of waters created a group of ponds, creating a serene natural environment that Jansen soon planted with seedlings, flowers, and plants from seeds collected on more than 25 annual Asian expeditions. Until she passed away in 2000, Jansen funded the growth and cultivation of the 25-acre garden, which is now one of the largest collections of scientifically documented, wild-source Asian plants on the continent. Visitors can view the rare plants and vast selection of Asian greenery blossoming from the Glen Ellen countryside as they meander through the gardens during self-led tours.
12841 Hwy 12
Glen Ellen,
CA
US
Franciscan has its roots deeply embedded in the soil of Napa Valley. Founded over three decades ago, wine industry revolutionaries Raymond Duncan, Justin Meyer and Agustin Huneeus shaped the winery’s beginnings. Today, Director of Winemaking Janet Myers is preserving the winery’s legacy while leading it into the future.
1178 Galleron Road
Saint Helena,
CA
US
With the number of wine shops and tasting rooms in the historic Sonoma Plaza, it's easy to become overwhelmed. That's where Sonoma on the Spot comes in. After determining your wine and tour preferences, the company will design a personalized roster of tastings and tour stops that highlight Sonoma County's best wines while veering toward the varietals you like best. Tours are led by wine educators from the Carneros Wine Alliance who maintain personal relationships with many of the Plaza's wine rooms, a perk that helps their customers snag special tastings and other extras that might not usually be extended to the public. Of course, no tasting would be complete without a bite to eat?each experience includes a complementary chocolate or cheese pairing.
453 1st Street East
Sonoma,
CA
US
There's an abundant garden of fine wines and foods waiting just 45 minutes outside of San Francisco. Historic Sonoma Plaza is home to 26 wineries, and San Francisco Wine Group offers a walking tour that covers a handful of those neighboring locations over the course of about two and a half hours. Mixed into the tour are history lessons going back to the 1800s. San Francisco Wine Group also offers wine storytelling sessions, education, and hosts corporate events.
453 1st St. E
Sonoma,
CA
US
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Explore an authentic South American gastronomy tour.