[kathyzapp]

We're thinking about taking a tour of California (San Francisco to Los Angeles). The trips are scheduled now until the end of October.

Weather-wise, when is the best time to go?

[asianthree]

i am afraid i would never get out of wine country

[redwitch]

For Northern California, September-October. Mark Twain wasn't kidding when he said, "The coldest winter he ever spent was a summer in San Francisco."

[pooh]

Lived in CA from 1972 to 2006. San Francisco is nice in October. In the months of May and June, near the coast and a bit inland, you will encounter May gray and June gloom. Inland valleys will have sunshine. The weather can be warm during the summer, but near the coast, quite nice. The coastal highway is beautiful and in some spots, a bit twisty, but the views are spectacular. August and September seem to be the warmest month around the Los Angeles basin and you can still have some warm days into October...but do remember, it's much less humid than other parts of the US.

Personally, I always liked May and June even with the cloud cover where we lived....in San Diego county about 13 miles inland.

No matter when you go, you'll enjoy.

[pooh]

Originally Posted by redwitch

For Northern California, September-October. Mark Twain wasn't kidding when he said, "The coldest winter he ever spent was a summer in San Francisco."

LOL....you aren't kidding. Remember my parents visiting us in Mountain View in the summer. They wanted to head up to SF and I suggested they take their jackets and a sweater. They laughed, took them anyway and when they finally got back to Mt. View, hot coffee and cocoa sounded pretty good....

[Phanatic Luvr]

Make sure you stop at the Hurst Castle. And trust me on this one, be very careful driving in San Francisco. If you are headed up one of the hills and get stopped at a light, it's very difficult to see if anyone is walking in front of your car when the light turns green.

[simpkinp]

I lived in California most of my life. September is quite hot, at least by my standards at that time. I would suggest October. June is usually cold, I remember graduating from high school with a coat under my robe. I moved to Florida in 1991 and thought I would die from the heat, I am not sure how I would feel now. I can't even go inside a restaurant now without a sweater! What is your comfort zone? The coast is almost always cool, that is where I lived. We never had or needed air conditioning. If you go down along the coast, enjoy the fabulous view. See Big Sur, take the17 mile drive through Carmel and Pebble Beach Country Club. Morro Bay is very scenic, reminiscent of the Oregon coast. Hearst Castle is amazing. If you like beef, I lived in Santa Maria for 14years and the famous Santa Maria BBQ is not to be missed. The Central Coast is also home to some of the best steak houses anywhere. Santa Barbara is beautiful and the drive from there to Ventura has outstanding ocean views. I do miss it. I can give you lots of tips. PM me.

[chuckinca]

Originally Posted by kathyzapp

We're thinking about taking a tour of California (San Francisco to Los Angeles). The trips are scheduled now until the end of October.

Weather-wise, when is the best time to go?

Oct is the best time (just about everywhere in the US).

You say "the trips are scheduled..." sounds like you are taking a bus trip thru CA and you go where the bus goes.

There are many great places to see!

.

[california dreamer]

The later in the year the better. A waiter in Monterey once told us that the biggest secret for visiting CA coast was that DEC-Jan had the warmest winds.
I can attest to this, as we visited the coast at different times of the year. Froze in the summer months! So many tourists visit CA coast in the summer, expecting nice weather but getting fog and cold winds in northern CA.

[jblum315]

October is a lovely month to visit San Francisco. Don't know anything about L.A., assume it's always warm.

[chuckinca]

Bring warm clothes - just in case.

.

[kathyzapp]

Thanks everyone! We decided to go in October.