Least sunny areas in the bay area (August: beachfront, summer)

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

Compared to NYC, anywhere around the bay that's close to the water will feel like heaven. It only gets uncomfortably hot when you get away from the water - whether that's the ocean or the bay.

[HockeyMac18]

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

Note to others and OP ... beware the fact that coastal stratus is a dry season thing.

During the rainy season ... in between storms (and there can be days to weeks in between) ... no coastal stratus. In fact the beach areas will be the warmest sunniest places in winter (meanwhile dank tule fog accosts the far inland zones).

Indeed. Winter is my favorite time at the coast. Often the warmest place in the region, and between storms (which the last few winters could mean weeks) is pretty much cloud/wind free heaven.

I've always found it funny how people inundate Half Moon Bay in the summer-October (when it's most foggy), but pretty much ignore it come winter time (comparatively).

[capoeira]

Originally Posted by HockeyMac18

I've always found it funny how people inundate Half Moon Bay in the summer-October (when it's most foggy), but pretty much ignore it come winter time (comparatively).

Maybe they are looking to avoid the scorching summer heat and cool off in the comfortable foggy weather!

[HockeyMac18]

Originally Posted by capoeira

Maybe they are looking to avoid the scorching summer heat and cool off in the comfortable foggy weather!

I suppose, but the roads to Half Moon Bay are very crowded even when the temperatures aren't all that hot in the area. Maybe it's people from the far East Bay or Central Valley (where it's much hotter), but I know a lot of people around me (San Mateo) that go there in the summer. I think it's more the "it's summer so I want to go to the beach" mindset more than anything else, but I could be wrong.

My point is just that people seem to avoid it when the weather is best there, which I've always found interesting. It's a nice secret, I suppose.

[04kL4nD]

It's probably just tourists or recent transplants thinking that the best time to go to the beach is during the summer, since that's how it is pretty much everywhere else. Locals tend to know when to avoid the coast (i.e. the dead of "summer"), while newcomers assume beach= sunshine and warmth in the summer OR too cold to enjoy in the winter.

[HockeyMac18]

Originally Posted by 04kL4nD

It's probably just tourists or recent transplants thinking that the best time to go to the beach is during the summer, since that's how it is pretty much everywhere else. Locals tend to know when to avoid the coast (i.e. the dead of "summer"), while newcomers assume beach= sunshine and warmth in the summer OR too cold to enjoy in the winter.

Yea, I agree, that's probably true.

Either way, I'm thankful for the comparatively empty coast in the winter.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

Originally Posted by HockeyMac18

I suppose, but the roads to Half Moon Bay are very crowded even when the temperatures aren't all that hot in the area. Maybe it's people from the far East Bay or Central Valley (where it's much hotter), but I know a lot of people around me (San Mateo) that go there in the summer. I think it's more the "it's summer so I want to go to the beach" mindset more than anything else, but I could be wrong.

My point is just that people seem to avoid it when the weather is best there, which I've always found interesting. It's a nice secret, I suppose.

You're so right about the road to Half Moon Bay. I love that area, but even waaaay back when, I hated that road. So, it's somewhere I'd never want to settle and avoid driving there even recently.

For the people who can just stay put there, though, that's probably a benefit - keeping the crowds from descending on their good town.

The last time I was there was with a senior hiking group on a bus tour from Santa Clara. We stopped at that cool brewery there, can't remember the name, and I bought some Obama beer for my daughter LOL. They had a special label. Great town. Terrible road.

[HockeyMac18]

Originally Posted by NoMoreSnowForMe

You're so right about the road to Half Moon Bay. I love that area, but even waaaay back when, I hated that road. So, it's somewhere I'd never want to settle and avoid driving there even recently.

For the people who can just stay put there, though, that's probably a benefit - keeping the crowds from descending on their good town.

The last time I was there was with a senior hiking group on a bus tour from Santa Clara. We stopped at that cool brewery there, can't remember the name, and I bought some Obama beer for my daughter LOL. They had a special label. Great town. Terrible road.

If you're not in a rush and don't feel like sitting in stop-and-go traffic, a scenic (but windy) alternative is to go down to San Gregorio (or Pescadero) and head back over 84. This is generally what I do - I'll head to the coast on 92 (trying to leave as early as possible), have a late breakfast/early lunch in Half Moon Bay and then head down the coast. I might stop somewhere for a hike, stop at a beach (or a few), or head down to Davenport to get some pie at Swanton Berry Farm.

I'll then head back over 84 - sometimes there can be a good amount of people on that road, but it's never backed up like 92 (not even close). It probably takes about the same amount of time due to the slower speeds/windy road, but it's a nice alternative on busy weekends.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Back when I was a young single dude I had a tradition to go surfing every Christmas Eve. I don't recall a single time that it was not warm and sunny at the beach on Dec 24.

[NOLA101]

Originally Posted by NoMoreSnowForMe

Compared to NYC, anywhere around the bay that's close to the water will feel like heaven. It only gets uncomfortably hot when you get away from the water - whether that's the ocean or the bay.

I don't know what "heaven" feels like, but the beachfront areas around NYC will typically be much sunnier than the beachfront areas around SF. Don't know if this a good thing or a bad thing.