TripPacker
Change trip

What to pack for California in December

Typical December, built from ten years of weather

Some links are affiliate links. It keeps the site free.

Typical for your dates
Highs 59°F, lows 45°F, rain 9 of 31 days
coldshort dayscool nights
Sunset lands around 5:50pm. Wind averages 8 mph. No border paperwork on this one.
Packing for

Essentials

14 items · 0 packed
Insulated puffy (down or synthetic)
Lows around 45°F. Goes under the shell when the wind picks up.
On sale
Repleto Down Long Jacket - Women's
budgetWomen's
Repleto Down Long Jacket - Women's
$100 $200
Shop
at Cotopaxi
On sale
Fuego Down Jacket - Men's
budgetMen's
Fuego Down Jacket - Men's
$108 $270
Shop
at Cotopaxi
On sale
Insulated Puffy Parka Jacket - Women's
mid
Insulated Puffy Parka Jacket - Women's
$152 $379
Shop
at Backcountry.com
On sale
Hybrid WINDSTOPPER Lightweight Puffy Jacket - Men's
mid
Hybrid WINDSTOPPER Lightweight Puffy Jacket…
$196 $280
Shop
at Backcountry.com
On sale
Solazo Down Hooded Jacket - Women's
budgetWomen's
Solazo Down Hooded Jacket - Women's
$90 $240
Shop
at Cotopaxi
Swipe for all 5 options →
Merino base layer top
Wear one, dry one. Cotton stays wet all week here.
On sale
Terramar Men's 3.0 Merino Bi-Layer Long-Sleeve Crew Base Layer Top Gray S
budgetMen's
Terramar Men's 3.0 Merino Bi-Layer Long-Sleeve…
$29.73 $45
Shop
at REI
On sale
Terramar Women's 3.0 Merino Flex Long-Sleeve Crew Base Layer Top Blue XL
budgetWomen's
Terramar Women's 3.0 Merino Flex Long-Sleeve…
$54.73 $80
Shop
at REI
On sale
Wedze Women’s BL900 Merino Wool Ski Base Layer Top
budgetWomen's
Wedze Women’s BL900 Merino Wool Ski Base Layer Top
$60 $99.99
Shop
at Decathlon America
On sale
Arc'teryx Women's Lana Merino Wool Crew Base Layer Top Black XS
midWomen's
Arc'teryx Women's Lana Merino Wool Crew Base…
$63.93 $90
Shop
at REI
On sale
Arc'teryx Women's Satoro Merino Wool Crew Neck Long-Sleeve Base Layer Top Green XS
midWomen's
Arc'teryx Women's Satoro Merino Wool Crew Neck…
$95.73 $120
Shop
at REI
Swipe for all 5 options →
Fleece or midlayer
The layer you'll wear more than any other.
Warm hat (beanie)
Lows of 45°F and coastal wind chill make a beanie necessary.
Polarized sunglasses
Coastal reflection off water intensifies the 2.6 UV index significantly.
DEET or picaridin repellent
December brings mosquitoes to California wetlands near the coast.
Tick remover
Check ankles and, if there's a dog, paws and ears every night.
Travel first aid kit
Hiking near national parks without medical supplies leaves you exposed.

Recommended

7 items
Neck gaiter / buff
Permethrin-treated clothing spray
Reusable water bottle
Multi-port USB-C charger (GaN)
AirTag / tracker for bags
Packing cubes
15% off