Help me get to Northern California without excess baggage

February 18, 2016 9:44 PM

Help a chronic over-packer get to San Fransisco with her one carry-on bag intact.

I am leaving for a much needed vacation today, but am stuck packing the night before. I've never been to Northern California in winter, and am not sure of the types of outfits I should bring due to the mercurial weather. I've been told that a raincoat is essential. A little bit about the trip: I'm going to stay with a friend for the next week and a half. I have one carry-on bag, that holds a decent amount, but I have it at full to bursting right now. I'm mainly confused about outerwear. Right now I have a long sweater jacket, a blazer jacket, a corduroy army jacket, as well as a raincoat. Surely, that seems like too many things, but the weather forecast is all over the place, and I'd like to be prepared. Can any expedience travellers or local MeFis help me whittle my clothing down to the basics?

posted by Champagne Supernova to Travel & Transportation around San Francisco, CA (12 answers total)

I grew up in the bay area and rarely wore a raincoat, even during El Nino years. Bring one jacket and an umbrella and you'll be fine.
posted by mogget at 9:49 PM on February 18, 2016 [2 favorites]

Are you planning to go into the mountains? That would be different. Assuming you're just going to be near sea level, a rain jacket and something to wear under it, like a sweater, are fine. You do want layers, but there's no need to overdo it. The weather in all parts of the Bay Area proper is very mild, and while the forecast is for slightly cooler temperatures this week, it's highly unlikely to get below freezing. Borrow an umbrella from your friend, or buy them a nice one while you're there as a host/hostess present.
posted by wnissen at 9:56 PM on February 18, 2016

When it's really cold, I double up my t-shirt.
posted by ryanrs at 9:58 PM on February 18, 2016 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thanks for all the input!! To clarify: I'm actually staying closer to Santa Rosa, but will be going into San Fransisco and Oakland for day trips. My friend lives in a woodsy area, so I'm trying to factor that into my outerwear choices, as well.
posted by Champagne Supernova at 10:02 PM on February 18, 2016

You need one jacket, not four. If it's cold, you can add a layer, like a light long-sleeve thing (i.e. wear two of the tops you brought at the same time). If it's really cold, a warm hat will really help. If it's wet, you can add an umbrella. The 10 day forecast I saw seemed to report a pretty consistent set of daytime highs a few degrees colder than room temperature, which doesn't sound too bad.

One thing that I find helps with overpacking is to assure yourself that if you wind up really regretting all the clothes you bring, the San Francisco Bay Area has over a dozen clothing stores, many of which will be able to sell you something appropriate.
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 10:04 PM on February 18, 2016 [2 favorites]

Rain jacket, definitely. Your friend can lend you an umbrella. I would bring something that is slightly insulated/compressible because it can feel chilly at nights, and you'd want that for layering. Basically a jacket + something like a long sleeve fleece or a light synthetic down pullover is good enough for outerwear.
posted by extramundane at 10:09 PM on February 18, 2016

Wow, that's a lot of jackets. One jacket will do. The key here is layers: 1 jacket, 2 sweaters, 1 hoodie, 3 short sleeves, 3 long sleeves, 2-3 pairs of jeans. Two pairs of shoes (in case one gets wet) - maybe wear boots, bring sneakers? Lots of socks. Plan to do laundry.

You are packed!

(Also have you looked at the weather while you are in the Bay Area? It'll only rain 2-3 times while you are there. Are you planning on standing in the rain over long periods of time, like while waiting for a bus? If not, don't bring a rain coat.)
posted by Toddles at 10:29 PM on February 18, 2016 [2 favorites]

Oops, forgot to add, bring a hat, scarf and gloves.
posted by Toddles at 10:30 PM on February 18, 2016

Best answer: I'm in Oakland, and I can't be bothered with checking the weather before I leave the house. My current everyday routine: I take my raincoat (which is basically a waterproof windbreaker, no insulation), I wear jeans and t-shirts, and I keep an extra long-sleeve shirt in my bag. On my way home at night, when it is significantly cooler than in the daytime, I'm happy to have the extra shirt and the jacket.

I have been extremely grateful for the raincoat during the last couple rains, which were also super windy, making umbrellas unappealing.

So IMO, one of your light jackets plus the raincoat should be totally sufficient. I would take whichever one is most comfortable under your raincoat.
posted by ktkt at 11:53 PM on February 18, 2016

Response by poster: Thanks everyone. I'm taking the raincoat and the soft blazer, to layer together if necessary. Off to the west coast I go!
posted by Champagne Supernova at 12:40 AM on February 19, 2016

To be fair, the high variability and microclimates found in the bay area make it difficult to prepare for if you're coming from other parts of the world, which don't see nearly as much variety in conditions. It wasn't uncommon to see high 70s and sunny to high 30s and wet/windy in the same day out.

Other people have touched on it - but layers. Start with a t-shirt or something similar for when it's warm and sunny. Pack a sweater or light jacket for when the temperature drops. Also pack something wind proof or wind resistant if you get caught in a breeze (so raincoat, softshell, insulated puff jacket - pick one).

You mention outerwear, but 1.5 weeks is ~10 days. You can pack significantly less by only carrying 5 days of clothing, plus clothes you wear outbound, and planning on doing laundry once during your trip. Personally, I'll only pack 4 days plus the clothes on my back for multiweek trips. The thought has occurred to me to cut that down even further to two days packed plus clothes I'm wearing, but that basically means sink or shower laundry every day.
posted by NoRelationToLea at 12:45 AM on February 19, 2016 [1 favorite]

I grew up in SF and never ever thought about outerwear, ever. Now when I travel back there I tend to only carry a light hoodie and my uniqlo-style ultra light down. It's warm enough for cooler nights (especially with a beanie and another under layer) and still breathable enough to be worn open or partly unzipped at less cool times.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 4:57 AM on February 19, 2016