which Bay Area city has the best weather? (San Diego, San Jose: vs., rated)

[vdy1985]

The southbay definitely gets less rain than farther north points in the bay area. It is actually significantly less rainy than SF and Berkeley. Also you can get fog that pervades all the way to Alamo, I've seen this with my own eyes. Then go down to the southbay and the sun can be shining. But I agree with mysticaltyger, it won't be by a large margin, but I think it is noticeably better in the south bay.

You also have to remember that like the rest of CA, the Bay Area has wild fluctuations in year to year precipitation. We've seen LA pelted a few years ago with over 30inches of rain, but its average rainfall total is ~10-15in per year. Same thing happens in the Bay. Seems like this year was a bit wetter, and most of it happened in Jan-Feb.

[nancy thereader]

I would say that here in Santa Cruz and Capitola, the weather has to be pretty nearly the best in the world. It never gets too cold or too hot. No snow and lots of warm sunny days even through the winter months. Flowers are in bloom all year long.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by vdy1985

The southbay definitely gets less rain than farther north points in the bay area. It is actually significantly less rainy than SF and Berkeley. Also you can get fog that pervades all the way to Alamo, I've seen this with my own eyes. Then go down to the southbay and the sun can be shining. But I agree with mysticaltyger, it won't be by a large margin, but I think it is noticeably better in the south bay.

You also have to remember that like the rest of CA, the Bay Area has wild fluctuations in year to year precipitation. We've seen LA pelted a few years ago with over 30inches of rain, but its average rainfall total is ~10-15in per year. Same thing happens in the Bay. Seems like this year was a bit wetter, and most of it happened in Jan-Feb.

Just a clarification, the South Bay gets a LOT more sun in summer than the coast. It's only in winter that the pattern is reversed, and it's only by a small margin, so it's not that noticeable.

The summer sun makes a difference in the average annual sunshine percentages.

San Francisco (on the sunny side of town) 66% of possible amount.
San Jose 72%.

Most of that difference comes because of the much sunnier summers in the South Bay.

[OrangeSunset]

How about the area along 680 from Dublin to Pleasant Hill?

[vdy1985]

Originally Posted by OrangeSunset

How about the area along 680 from Dublin to Pleasant Hill?

It is hotter in the summer and colder in the winter than the rest of the Core Bay Area (cities along the water).

[gone down south]

This week it rained a bit 3 days in a row, and the TV weatherperson said "March certainly is going out like a lion!"

That by itself should tell you everything you need to know about the local climate.

[nancy thereader]

This week it rained a bit 3 days in a row, and the TV weatherperson said "March certainly is going out like a lion!"

That by itself should tell you everything you need to know about the local climate.

Yes, you are totally right about that.That is so true and funny. If they only knew.............

[tstieber]

Originally Posted by vdy1985

It is hotter in the summer and colder in the winter than the rest of the Core Bay Area (cities along the water).

Definitely true, although you should note that the difference in summer temperatures is much greater than the difference in winter temperatures. The entire Bay Area ranges between about 54 to 60 degrees for winter high temps (from the North to South Bay), with the 680 corridor probably right around 55F. However, in the summer, the Bay Area ranges from about 65 to 92 degrees between coast and inland, with the 680 corridor around 88-90 degrees. So you'll notice a much more significant difference in summer, and overall, warmer temps most of the year, along the 680 corridor.

[marca pola]

Hi, I experience cloudy, rainy or foggy weather the same as Fair weather cumulus & would like to move closer to my son and his wife in Pacifica. Many years ago I spent one year in Mt View and Santa Clara. That was great although I remember the fall having a cold damp wind sometimes. Is there any community that occasionally gets a nice dry Santa Ana type wind? Living in So Cal the last 30+ years I know I'd miss how happy and energized I feel. Please, anyone, It's not temperature but the sun and dry air I need. Not to be found in Pacifica. Is there such a Bay Area city. Santa Rosa, perhaps?

[tstieber]

Not Santa Rosa -- it does get that sometimes, but it also gets a lot of coastal influence. If dryness is what you're after, I'd focus on Livermore/Pleasanton.