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What to pack for California in July
Typical July, built from ten years of weather
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Typical for your dates
Highs 84°F, lows 59°F, rain 0 of 31 days
hotwindyhigh UV
Sunset lands around 8:25pm. Wind averages 13 mph. No border paperwork on this one.
0 of 48 packed
Packing for
60 things on this list are on sale today
Essentials
10 items
UV index of 11.3 burns skin in under 15 minutes.
Coastal glare bounces off water and pavement both.
Mosquitoes breed in coastal marshes year-round.
Check ankles and, if there's a dog, paws and ears every night.
Long daylight hours mean more time for minor cuts and scrapes.
Fourteen hours of daylight drains phone batteries fast.
Flights within the country need carry-on sized bags.
National parks nearby mean day hikes from your base.
Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely.
For the passport, the chargers, and the one dry pair of socks.
Before you go
2 to sort
Recommended
15 items
Coastal wind cuts through a t-shirt fast.
Anything heavier than linen is a mistake at 84°F.
Heat and wind pull sweat away fast, so layers dry before they cling.
UV hits 11.3 here. Long sleeves beat reapplying sunscreen every hour.
The coast stays swimmable all month.
Urban walking and beach access call for quick-dry footwear.
Fourteen and a half hours of daylight means sustained sun exposure.
Cold water at 3pm is worth the weight.
Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.
Tap water is safe but carrying it keeps you hydrated in heat.
One brick charges the laptop, phone, and camera.
Urban crowds make bag tracking worthwhile.
Packing cubes compress clothes in tight carry-on space.
Coastal spray and pool time soak phones.
Laundry dries fast in heat and low humidity.
Nice to have
7 items you could skip
Highs near 84°F mean legs stay bare.
Lips crack in dry air and high UV together.
Urban surfaces and shared facilities make hand washing frequent.
Sunburned skin reacts badly to insect bite scratching.
Multiple devices need charging during long days out.
Domestic travel requires TSA-compatible locks.
Toiletries organize better when hanging in humid coastal air.
Basics
16 things you probably own already