Couple of ??? about California

[willis37862]

Spring (may) or Fall (late august-septmember)?I have asked this question before but for a different reason. I was wondering which time is prettier and has nice weather. We will be traveling from San Deigo to San Francisco in a period of about two weeks. Keep in mind we would rather it be 60's than 80's. We get enough of the hot weather here. We are planning to drive up the pacific coast highway and see the sights up the coast. Is two weeks long enough (about 15 days not including flying time)? Has anyone done this? Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions.

 

[boosmom96]

I'll let the SoCal people speak for themselves, but I highly recommend September if you're coming up to the Bay Area. September and early October are the best months here, no contest! Spring is a really tricky season here. Today was a very nice day in SF by May standards, and it was fairly overcast in the Sunset District (by the ocean & the zoo).
Without going into a long dissertation on geography & weather patterns, the warmer it is inland (Walnut Creek, Concord etc.), the cooler it will generally be in the City. Because of this, early August can be really foggy. If you can wait until after Labor Day the weather is almost always really nice.
You will probably hit warmer weather in SoCal at this time however. I can remember a trip to DL in September right after Labor Day that was amazingly hot!! The humidity was awful, but the parks were absolutely dead!! We walked on every ride but Splash Mountain! (And that wasn't an outrageous line.)

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I agree with boosmom96 -- I think August/September are better when visiting up the coast. The days are usually clearer - less fog by the sea. However, these days can be very hot.

May can be beautiful with the spring flowers in bloom, and waterfalls going strong if you should also be visiting Yosemite. You do run the risk, though, of foggy days in San Francisco/Monterey, and right now in Los Angeles, the days are overcast in what we normally call June Gloom. Since Anaheim is more inland, you might have more sunny days.

 

[Tamarap]

The weather is better in the fall, especially in San Francisco.

 

[dreamcometrue]

I agree...for San Fran, september is much better. However, it's hot, hot, hot in Southern California in August/September!

 

[Tamarap]

The coastal cities shouldn't be too bad. Of course I am out near the desert and he have many days over 100 so I may not be the best person to ask

 

[lap3]

As the others have mentioned, August/September has some great weather but a bit hot...but at least we don't have to deal with humidity. We're currently experiencing a bit of "May Gray"(similar to June Gloom) but that usually occurs in the morning and burns off by the afternoon.

Based upon your criteria, it sounds like May would be a better month for you...

 

[Magix]

I agree with those who've said May. It's typically blazing hot in So Cal in Aug/Sept!!

 

[willis37862]

Thank you everyone for the replies about the weather. The heat is what he wanted to avoid. Sounds though that it is clearer in September but hot. I liked the idea of May because spring is my fave season here on the east coast with all the flowers going wild and the mountains a beautiful green again. But I don't know much about your season changes on the west coast. If you had to pick your fave month or time in California what would it be? Maybe a month that wasn't one of my choices. Thanks

 

[SANDIEGOFAN]

The majority of people I know here in San Diego prefer October, myself included. Warm weather, not hot, and very clear. I go to DL in mid-September and have always found the weather to be nice - I don't like being hot either, that's why I also go in July .
No complaints on May either except we typically get May gray (overcast conditions and realitively chilly) along the coastline in San Diego. The water is also colder in May - in September it is still nice and warm.

 

[Tiinkerbelle]

Oh, I would say May, We live right by SF and it's perfect weather. Aug/Sept I would say is almost the peak of Heat, May is just starting up the hot air trend, so it's not to cold, but not to hot.

 

[SILLYANDI]

Living 20 minutes from Disneyland and the coast, I would vote for Fall. Spring is so unpredictable. It rained on Tuesday here this week, and it's 89 today (3 days later). Not exactly the mild SoCal weather you often hear about. We always book our beach camping trips, etc in fall because it never fails that the weather will ruin our spring break trips.
Also, the crowds start to taper off (and are practically non existant) by late September. Spring crowds have been very crowded this year, more so than I've noticed in the past.

Best wishes, hope you enjoy visiting!

 

[Dizneydaz]

As far as SoCal goes, late August/early Sept. can be very hot!!!! However, along the coast it rarely gets as hot as inland. I think as you get further north, towards SF, it'll cool off, again, along the coast. So I guess it depends on if you're going to be along the coast or more inland. (Oh-and don't be fooled by SD weather reports-the weather is usually taken at the airport which is basically on the bay. We have gone to SD Zoo several times in June and found it very hot. And yet the temp reported was somewhere in the mid 70's-again it's the dif. between coastal and inland.)

 

[Tiinkerbelle]

The weather may be predictable in Fall down by Disneyland, it's around 100-110 at times around SF, and 80 or higher in SF which can feel very hot with the sun. We went to DL in Spring this year and the weather was beautiful, not to hot at all and you could still see some snow on the mountains, if it does rain just bring a poncho and ride the indoor rides. When it rains most people leave the park so the lines will also be shorter.

 

[samkj]

it's around 100-110 at times around SF

Maybe inland(we live near Sacramento), but it won't be that hot anywhere near the coast.

 

[Tiinkerbelle]

That is why I said "it's around 100-110 at times around SF, and 80 or higher in SF which can feel very hot with the sun."

 

[willis37862]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I appreciate all the info.