We are thinking about a trip to San Francisco. We would be able to go in early to mid April or early May.

Is there much difference in the weather between April and May? A friend told me that it rains alot more in April but when I looked at the averages on World Weather.com, I could not see much of a difference in temps or rain for April and May.

Thanks for your help. Laurie

Laurie,

Another consideration is what else will be going on in the city at the time you want to go, especially if you plan to stay in the center or in another popular location. Mid-April is usually a big time for conventions in San Francisco. You might check out this calendar site to see if this might be a problem.

Ann

here's the deal about northern california weather:

When the inland deserts heat up during the day, they create conditions that suck in fog or rain from the cold ocean. If the temp between the desert and the ocean is more or less the same, no fog, no rain.

Chances of that being the case are greater in April than May, although the kicker is that ocean currents can truly queer the deal. Get an exceptionally cold or warm ocean current, and you've got a different climate.

Any chance you can split the difference and go in late April/early May?

All that said, I would not pick San Francisco as a nice weather destination. One goes for other reasons, and takes one's lumps in terms of climate. Sometimes it's nice, and it's never as awful as some other places -- just unpleasantly and bone-chillingly damp.

quote:

Originally posted by Laurie0605:
We are thinking about a trip to San Francisco. We would be able to go in early to mid April or early May.

Hi Laurie,
I've lived in the Bay Area all my life, and agree with your friend that May is a better time to be here. It may not rain more in April than May - but it sure feels that way! Maybe we just have more rainy days but less actual rain ... I'd say you have a pretty good chance at beautiful weather in May. Come visit!

Colleen

Thanks so much for the information! We have some frequent flyer mileage that is begging to be used, so I hope we will be able to find the time to take this trip.

So, the consensus is that May is a better time to visit than April. I am going to try to use Priceline to book a hotel when we know for sure that this trip will be possible.

Thanks again for your advice. Laurie

I went to San Francisco in mid-May of this year and I was pleasantly surprised by the beautiful weather we had. Made for a great bike ride from Fisherman's Wharf to Tiburon. Cold at night, though, but that was to be expected.

May is usually very good in San Francisco and the whole bay area but always bring a jacket. I grew up in San Francisco and as kids we always were amused by the tourists who would show up during the summer and freeze in the cool weather. San Francisco has many micro climates. It can be cold and foggy in one area of the city and sunny and warm in another. May is usually good though. If it is foggy in the city, just cross the Golden Gate Bridge and you will find yourself magically in gorgeous weather for a day in the wine country or visiting the delightful towns of Marin, Sonoma or Napa.

As to what is going on. There is always great things to see and do in the city. Just google San Francisco events and you will find out. May I suggest the Smuin Ballet in May. It is a small company with wonderful, creative ballet. I went to their Christmas ballet yesterday and it was fabulous.

quote:

Originally posted by Laurie0605:
I am going to try to use Priceline to book a hotel when we know for sure that this trip will be possible.

Laurie,
If you decide on a vacation rental instead of a hotel, there's some really good information and rental leads in this current thread on San Francisco neighborhoods.

Colleen

Thanks so much to all of you for the information!

May definitely sounds like the time to go. I have always wanted to visit San Francisco. I just hope I can make things cooperate with my busy work schedule.

If I can make everything work, I think we will try to use priceline for a hotel.

Thanks again for all your help. Laurie

quote:

I would not pick San Francisco as a nice weather destination

Gee, I would! I think the bay area has some of the nicest weather on the planet and it tends to be eternal spring. Now if you want hot and muggy, you probably won't find it, but if you adore sunny and crisp, you will love it like I do.

As someone else mentioned, there are lots of different micro climates in this area, so head to a banana belt one that has more sun!

Tourist often do not understand that the entire California coast is a layering kind of place, all year round. Cool in the morning, can get hot in the day, then cooling down again when the sun goes down. It is typical Med climate and similar to what we have here near the coast in Andalusia.

Bring appropriate clothing and enjoy one of the most fantastic places on the planet!!

Ha ha, I'm laughing as I read the comments about the tourists not being prepared for the weather in the city -- so true. Remember to LAYER your clothing when you visit SF. You'll see unprepared tourists, who think California is sunny, warm, etc. -- and then arrive to w/o jackets, sweaters, etc. Who knows, you may arrive on a day in the city and it could be 80 and sunny? That's just the Bay Area!

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I think the bay area has some of the nicest weather on the planet and it tends to be eternal spring.

Except for when it's winter, of course. (She says, wringing out her soaking wet socks and putting on a wool sweater as one of her layers.)