How To Correctly Pack When You’re Going To San Francisco

PublishedSeptember 5, 2018

If you’ve never been to California, and you associate the state with palm trees, beach shots, surfers, and lots of blonde hair, then you might end up packing all the wrong items if you’re traveling to San Francisco. As someone who has made this exact mistake, allow me to help you.

While the Hollywood crowd loves to bask in the sun of Southern California, they fail to mention that much of the northern and coastal part of the state can experience much chillier weather. During my own trip to San Francisco in the middle of July, I spent much of time in a leather jacket, and found it to be quite foggy and cool for the majority of the day. I didn’t even need the shorts I brought along with me. So avoid these packing mistakes that I made, and learn how to pack for San Fran the right way.

A Jacket That Goes With Everything
ASOS Design Curve Denim Girlfriend Jacket | Asos
San Francisco weather doesn’t vary much year-round, but throughout the day, it can change a lot, so packing for a trip there during any time of the year can almost be like packing for multiple climates. I suggest bringing along a jacket that goes with everything and isn’t too heavy, so you can carry it when it gets too warm to wear. This denim jacket is perfect for the chillier mornings and nights. Just don’t pack a winter jacket, as it’s not going to be that cold.

Graphic: Jessica Booth

A Light Rain Jacket
Cloudburst Jacket | Athleta
You’ll probably also want to bring along a light rain jacket as well, as San Fran can be a little rainy - I found that to be especially true in the mornings, when it’s very foggy for a few hours and just a little uncomfortably damp outside.

Graphic: Jessica Booth

Wine Bottle Protectors
Jet Bag Bold | Amazon
If you’re going to San Fran, you should definitely take a side trip into wine country. Whether you’re going to Napa, Sonoma, or Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea, you’re going to want to bring some wine home. Bring along travel wine bottle protectors so that you can put them in your checked bag, since not every winery will offer shipping to your home. They’re reusable, and are supposed to absorb any potential spills.

Graphic: Jessica Booth

Travel Umbrella
Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella | Amazon
Just to reiterate: San Francisco can be rainy, especially earlier in the day. For that reason, bring along a travel umbrella so that you’re protected just in case there’s a downpour while you’re out. Most hotels do offer umbrellas, but they’re usually way bigger than they need to be. This one is compact enough to put in a bag when you’re not using it.

Graphic: Jessica Booth

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A Backpack
Nova Backpack Mini | Herschel
One thing you’ll notice about San Francisco (and that you may have heard) is that it’s huge on biking. Renting a bike is a great way to explore the city, and if you plan on doing that, you’ll want to have a backpack, which is much easier to manage while you pedal than a regular purse or a crossbody. This one is small, but still fits all the essentials.

Graphic: Jessica Booth

Jeans (And Other Casual Clothing Items)
Madewell 9-inch-rise Skinny Jeans | Nordstrom
Now, obviously, most people are going to pack jeans when they’re traveling. But if you think you’re heading into a warm climate, you might not - and, again, San Fran can be chilly. You’ll absolutely want to bring jeans over shorts. And since it’s a laid-back area, you can get away with packing fairly casually. Madewell’s jeans in particular are super comfortable and stretchy, making them great for travel.

Graphic: Jessica Booth

A Hat
Adidas Originals Relaxed Strapback Baseball Hat | Urban Outfitters
That misty fog that hangs around in the mornings? Yeah, it’s not exactly great for your hair (for most people). While it’s not humid enough to make your hair expand like a poodle, it’s still likely to make you look a little frizzy. If that’s a big deal to you, then bring along some sort of hat to keep yourself covered.

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