What to Wear in California: Coast, Desert and Wine Country Guide

What to wear in California depends on which California you mean, because the coast, the desert and the wine valleys can feel like three different countries on the same day. A June morning can be grey and cool on a Los Angeles beach, foggy and windy in San Francisco, warm in Napa and well over 100°F in Palm Springs. This 2026 guide covers the state's climate zones, then what to pack for Los Angeles, San Francisco, wine country, the desert and a Big Sur drive, with a short packing list at the end.

What is the weather like in California?

California's climate ranges from hot desert to alpine, and the biggest difference for a visitor is distance from the ocean. According to the climate record for California, cool offshore water, enhanced by upwelling, often creates summer fog near the coast, while inland areas have markedly hotter summers. The same source gives a vivid example: the average daily high in San Francisco in July and August is between 62 and 68°F (17 and 20°C), while Walnut Creek, about 20 miles inland, averages 84°F (29°C). In the south, Santa Monica on the coast averages a high of 75°F (24°C) in August against 95°F (35°C) in Burbank, about 10 miles inland.

So the rule for a California trip is simple: pack for the coldest place on your itinerary and the hottest one, and expect to move between them. Most of the state has a Mediterranean pattern of dry summers and wetter winters, which means a light rain jacket matters more from November to March than in July.

What to wear in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is relaxed, sunny and spread out, and most visitors spend the day moving between the beach, the car and air-conditioned restaurants. Breathable, easy pieces work best: a printed sundress, a linen co-ord set, or a short kaftan (caftan, as it is usually spelt in the US) over shorts or a swimsuit. Pair them with flat sandals and a hat.

Do not assume early summer means bright sun on the coast. June Gloom is the Southern California name for a pattern of cloudy, overcast skies and cool temperatures in late spring and early summer, also called May Gray. It usually clears between mid-morning and early afternoon, so a thin shirt or a light jacket over a dress makes a beach morning or a Malibu lunch far more comfortable. For dinners in Santa Monica or West Hollywood, a silk dress or a printed shirt with tailored trousers is as dressed-up as most places need.

San Francisco and the fog

San Francisco is the city that catches out summer visitors, because its summers are cool. With average highs in the 60s°F and fog that rolls in off the Pacific, a July afternoon on the waterfront can call for a jacket. Dress in layers you can add and remove: a long-sleeved shirt or tunic over trousers, a fine knit, and a light, wind-resistant jacket. A stole or scarf is a small thing that makes a big difference on a ferry, a cable car or a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge.

Comfortable, closed shoes with grip are essential, because the hills are steep. September and October are often the warmest months in the city, a good moment for a midi dress with a jacket on top.

"California asks you to dress for three climates before lunch. One loose layer you can knot over your shoulders is worth more than another outfit," says Ramola Bachchan, the fashion designer behind First Resort.

Napa and Sonoma: what to wear in wine country

Wine country is warmer than San Francisco and more relaxed than Los Angeles. Visit Napa Valley says grape harvest usually starts in August, and that by September and October the crush parties, harvest dinners and events are in full swing. It also advises packing layers, because temperatures vary greatly from morning to daytime to evening.

For a day of tastings, choose a breathable midi dress, a linen co-ord or a silk shirt with wide trousers, in a print that forgives the odd splash of red. Wear flat shoes or block heels, since you may walk on gravel paths and through rows of vines, and carry a light jacket or cover-up for the evening. A hat and sunglasses help on outdoor terraces.

Palm Springs and the desert

The desert is a different trip. Visit Greater Palm Springs puts average summer highs at about 104°F in June, 109°F in July and 108°F in August, and recommends early mornings for hiking and other strenuous activity. In summer, wear loose, breathable cotton and linen in light colours, with a wide hat, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen, and plan your days around the pool and the shade.

Palm Springs is also a dressed-up pool town with a strong mid-century style, and resort wear fits it perfectly: a printed kaftan over a swimsuit by day, a silk or satin dress for dinner. From November to April the days are mild and sunny but evenings turn cool, so add a jacket or knit for dinner outdoors. A light layer is also useful for heavily air-conditioned restaurants and shops in any season.

A Big Sur drive

The coast road through Big Sur is one of California's great drives, and its weather is changeable. Lonely Planet notes that coastal fog is more common on summer mornings and may fade by the middle of the day and possibly return in the afternoon. Dress for both: a breathable dress or shirt with trousers, a warm layer for viewpoints and beaches in the wind, and trainers or walking sandals for short trails down to the water.

Check road conditions before you set out, since stretches of Highway 1 can close after storms or landslides, and build in extra time: you will want to stop often.

What to wear in California in winter

California's coastal regions and much of the Central Valley have a Mediterranean climate: warmer, drier weather in summer and cooler, wetter weather in winter. For a trip between November and March, that means rain is the thing to plan for, especially in the north. In San Francisco and wine country, pack a water-resistant jacket, closed shoes, trousers and a couple of warm long-sleeved layers, such as a printed tunic over slim trousers or a silk shirt under a knit. Winter is also a quieter, greener season in the vineyards, and a velvet piece or a stole feels right for a fireside tasting room.

Southern California and the desert are the winter-sun option. Los Angeles and San Diego can still be warm enough for a dress by day, with a jacket after dark, and the same climate record notes that the Coachella Valley, home to Palm Springs, regularly has the warmest winter temperatures of any place west of the Rocky Mountains. Pack for both: a few summer pieces for the afternoon and a proper layer for the evening.

Shoes, bags and road-trip practicalities

Most California trips involve a car, which changes how you pack. You will be getting in and out often, stopping at viewpoints and walking from parking to beaches, so choose creaseless fabrics that still look good after an hour in a seat: knits, crinkled cotton, printed silk and relaxed linen all forgive more than crisp cotton poplin. Keep one layer and a pair of trainers in the car rather than the suitcase. In the cities, hills in San Francisco and long distances in Los Angeles both favour flat, cushioned shoes; save the smarter pair for dinner. A crossbody bag that closes fully is the easiest choice for markets, piers and busy streets.

A California packing list

For a week that takes in the coast, a city and the desert:

1. Three breathable dresses, kaftans or co-ord sets in linen, cotton or silk
2. One silk or satin piece for dinner
3. Two pairs of trousers and two shirts that work with both
4. A fine knit and a light, wind-resistant jacket
5. A stole or scarf for fog and cool evenings
6. A swimsuit and a cover-up
7. Flat sandals, walking trainers and one smarter pair
8. A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen

For breathable pieces that move from a foggy morning to a warm afternoon, browse the vacation edit or see all caftans. Every piece comes in one price across XS to 8XL, with delivery worldwide.

Frequently asked questions

What should I wear in San Francisco in summer?

Wear layers: a dress or trousers with a long-sleeved shirt, a light jacket or knit, and closed shoes. Average summer highs in San Francisco are only in the 60s°F (about 17–20°C), and fog and wind can make it feel cooler.

Do I need a jacket in Los Angeles?

Usually a light one. Coastal mornings in May and June are often grey and cool, and evenings by the ocean drop quickly, so a thin jacket or shirt to throw over a dress is worth packing year-round.

What should I wear in Palm Springs?

In summer, wear loose, breathable clothing, a hat and sunglasses, with a swimsuit and cover-up for the pool. Summer highs average above 100°F, so plan outdoor activity for early morning. In winter, add a layer for cool evenings.

What should I wear wine tasting in Napa or Sonoma?

Wear a breathable dress or linen co-ord with flat shoes for gravel and vineyard paths, and bring a layer. Days in the harvest months are warm, but temperatures drop after sunset.

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