Visitors to the Sausalito area always seem to be concerned about the weather patterns overall and what to bring and expect as far as clothing for their visit to the San Francisco Bay Area. In an area famous for its pleasant and clam weather throughout most of the year, the Bay Area also has a reputation for catching visitors unaware and unprepared.

Throughout most of the year, the San Francisco Bay Area has very forgiving weather patterns and is generally warm enough that most locals don’t own much in the way of heavy outdoor clothing such as overcoats and heavy rain gear. Although this is true, it is also true that because of proximity to the water (both the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean) Sausalito and its neighbors can have wide temperature fluctuations throughout the day.

Fall and Winter in Sausalito

Winters in Sausalito are certainly milder than other areas in the country, but can be cold by Bay Area standards and a coat or jacket of some kind is a good recommendation for those visiting. Both the fall and winter months bring with them an increase in chilly storms and rain, but the average temperature in Sausalito rarely drops much below 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit even on the coldest days.

If you are visiting Sausalito during the winter, your best bet is to bring something for the rainy days, although they are not all too frequent, and to bring a windbreaker or coat for the cooler nighttime and early mornings.

Spring and Summer in Sausalito

The sunnier months in the Sausalito area and the North Bay are decidedly warmer, with beach weather and shoppers on the downtown wharf strolling around in shorts and t-shirts on a regular basis. The evenings and early mornings can still be fairly cool because of the influence of the bay and ocean nearby, but daytime weather is generally calm and clear.

If you are visiting Sausalito in the spring or summer, you will likely find that the reputation of fine California weather is well deserved. Temperatures between 50-75 degrees Fahrenheit are typical with some days on the slightly warmer side. Generally warmer than San Francisco, Sausalito is well known for its outdoorsy feel and walking along the waterfront or downtown areas is generally more pleasant than across the bay.

Weather and Your Visits to San Francisco

Everyone has likely heard the famous Mark Twain quote about San Francisco temperatures (even during the summer months). San Francisco’s temperatures, although generally fairly mild and pleasant, have a habit of fluctuating throughout the day and have caused more than their fair share of issues with visitors who were unprepared for the cool evening air, fog, and wind.

If you are visiting San Francisco from Sausalito, be sure to bring a jacket and dress in layer just in case the temperatures change drastically. It can be deceptive because of the close distance just across the bay, but the weather patterns in San Francisco can be vastly different than those in Sausalito and temperatures can be very different.

Nestled against the hills under the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito has one of the better locations on the Bay Area waterfront to keep it protected from much of the cold coastal fog and the brunt of the wind off the ocean. Being a waterfront city, it still experiences some of the rapid cooling off the bay and layers of clothing will serve you well during your visit.