El Cerrito - more fog than Berkeley? Microclimates? (Oakland, Fremont: house, neighborhoods)

[pink_opaque]

I'm thinking of moving from Berkeley to El Cerrito. However, I've heard that the fog is really bad. I can handle North Berkeley/West Berkeley fog (it's what I'm used to), but I'm wondering if the fog is worse in El Cerrito.

Also, I've heard that there are microclimates in El Cerrito, and I'm wondering where the foggier/cooler areas are so I can hopefully avoid them.

(Hmm... maybe I should just move to Oakland. )

[Ruth4Truth]

The fog can't possibly be worse in El Cerrito.

Why are you thinking of moving, if you're used to Berkeley weather? Inquiring minds want to know.

[jade408]

I hear that it is ridiculously foggy and chilly in some parts of the hills.

And yes, Oakland is warmer and less foggy than Berkeley. Around the lake is at least 5 degrees warmer and gets sun fast in foggy days. (This covers most neighborhoods within about 1-1.5 miles from the lake. Even warmer as you head east.)

[Gentoo]

Within the east bay, Berkeley generally has the most fog. El Cerrito's climate is generally similar to Berkeley's. I was surprised to find out that Richmond, while slightly less foggy is actually cooler than Berkeley. Windier too at times. If you want warmer, like Jade said try Oakland. You won't have to go far; Oakland starts to get warmer almost right when you cross into it from Berkeley.

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by jade408

I hear that it is ridiculously foggy and chilly in some parts of the hills.

And yes, Oakland is warmer and less foggy than Berkeley. Around the lake is at least 5 degrees warmer and gets sun fast in foggy days. (This covers most neighborhoods within about 1-1.5 miles from the lake. Even warmer as you head east.)

When I was in Maxwell Park it got hot at times.

[pink_opaque]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

The fog can't possibly be worse in El Cerrito.

Why are you thinking of moving, if you're used to Berkeley weather? Inquiring minds want to know.

I love Berkeley, but we're looking to buy our first house and I don't think we can afford to stay here. (I'm not giving up hope quite yet, but I'm trying to be realistic.) We're also looking at areas of Oakland, but we want to stay by a BART station, which limits us a bit.

[pink_opaque]

East Oakland seems to have the best weather, IMHO.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

EC has a bit less summer overcast than Berkeley. Daytime summer highs are higher, winter time lows are slightly lower.

For those who follow this sort of thing, EC has a smidgeon of the rare Sunset Western Gardening Guide Zone 16.

[DrDoodle]

I lived in Berkeley until moving to El Cerrito, and I still go back and forth between the two almost daily. My experience is that El Cerrito has more overcast than does Berkeley. Not a huge difference, but when the afternoon/evening fog is rolling in from the Golden Gate, it often hits El Cerrito first then rolls south to Berkeley. Similarly, the fog seems to burn off from the south towards the north ... Oakland clears up early, then Berkeley, the El Cerrito. Again, not a big difference between El Cerrito and Berkeley; the big difference is with Oakland.

I can't tell you much about microclimates in El Cerrito. The only local variation that I notice is that the overcast is often low enough that it's actually fog in the hills

[ZorbaTheGeek]

Dude, if you can't deal with fog, you're in the wrong part of the Bay or CA altogether! Relax into it. Otherwise, move to Vallejo or Fremont or someplace, if you can. All these people getting uptight about the fog, it's like moving to LA and saying you're tired of the sun, is there someplace that gets less sun.