Always a bit chilly in SF? (San Francisco: vs., area, weather)

[Kansoku]

are there no mosquitoes because it is chilly?

[GritstoGranola]

Is it true that there is a big temp. difference between an area like Moss Beach and say Burlingame? Can you outline the differences...wind/fog/temp/sunshine/rain? Thanks!

[iTsLiKeAnEgG]

When driving from San Mateo (where I work) to San Fracisco (where I go to school) the temperature drops by a good ten degrees.

[xyv1027]

Gayguy, What do you mean by "don't live in the Avenues"? Where are the Avenues?

I can relate and agree with you RE: the winds. We were in Marin a few days last week and each afternoon about 3pm or 4pm it got windy, not just a small breeze either, probably a 15-20mph wind.

I was amazed by the temperature contrasts too. We were in the Anderson Valley in Mendocino County one afternoon and it was nearly 90 degrees and clear. We drove 20 miles west to the Pacific and it was 55 degrees and foggy.

And, I am perfectly fine not having my four seasons.... I've been dealing with four seasons, including winter snow and summer humidity, for 30 years so I'm ready for the two seasons of SF!

[uptown_urbanist]

The Avenues is the western part of San Francisco (the Richmond and the Sunset); I'm not a native and don't know what people consider the "official" definition, but it essentially seems to cover the areas of SF where everything is neatly laid out on a grid (with lots of Avenues). Other parts of the city can be sunny and warm, but out to the west in "the Avenues" it will be foggy and cold.

I love the Richmond, though, and it does get some beautiful and warm (and blue sky!) days. Plus, watching the fog roll in is a pretty amazing thing.

[mdwstrnkid]

Originally Posted by xyv1027

Gayguy, What do you mean by "don't live in the Avenues"? Where are the Avenues?

"The Avenues" = Richmond and Sunset districts. The north-south streets in those neighborhoods are primarily numbered avenues.

[xyv1027]

Got it, thanks. I didn't run into fog in The Avenues area last week, only up PCH in Marin/Sonoma and down towards Pacifica. Pacifica and even near the 280/1 interchange seems to be a very gray and foggy spot.

[user376]

Originally Posted by gayguyfromdenver

Kansoku....yes, SF does normally tend to be cool to downright chilly. Even in the middle of summer, you will need a light jacket on most nights. The cool temps are mostly due to SF's constant winds and the fog that rolls in off of the bay. SF is situated on a peninsula and the cooling effects of the bay and the Pacific can be felt pretty much all summer long. Don't expect to be visiting the beach too much during the summer! Having said all of that, at least once every summer, you will get two or three days of extremely hot weather. I remember one summer when it reached 104 degrees. If those winds shut off, then the temps soar. IMO, the best months weather-wise in SF are May, Sept, Oct, Nov and sometimes even most of December. Once the rains (torrential downpours) return, then the weather pretty much sucks until end of Feb or even the middle/end of March. Even in the dead of the monsoon season, you'll get a break and have a day or two of absolutely beautiful weather. However, it won't last. Also, spring comes really early to SF. A lot of years, it arrives by the beginning of March. The weather in SF is extremely variable. It's also quite temperate. It never gets very hot nor very cold. Just don't be expecting a tropical paradise. For most of the year, SF is clearly on the chilly side. Hope this helps!

IMO, your description of the dry season is accurate, but "torrential downpours" and "monsoon season" are gross exaggerations. Yeah, it's rainy, but it doesn't rain every day, and most of the days that it rains, it doesn't rain that hard.

[stillfresh]

yea its always chilly wtf... it has been hot as hell this last week
of course at night it cools off. but its not "always" chilly. daly city on the other hand is a real foggy hell hole

[iTsLiKeAnEgG]

Daly City gets nice and foggy on some nights, particularly closer to HWY35 / Skyline (where I just happen to stay) but we don't get it as bad as say Pacifica. I actually like it, makes for a real comfortable sleeping environment.