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What to pack for California in May
Typical May, built from ten years of weather
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Typical for your dates
Highs 75°F, lows 54°F, rain 3 of 31 days
windyhigh UVdry
Sunset lands around 8:10pm. Wind averages 13 mph. No border paperwork on this one.
Packing for
Essentials
10 items · 0 packed
Sunscreen SPF 50
UV index hits 10.4 in May and you'll spend 14.2 daylight hours outdoors near a reflective coast.
Polarized sunglasses
Water and sand bounce UV rays straight into your eyes, worse than the sun alone.
DEET or picaridin repellent
Urban parks in May host insects that bite, and coastal humidity at 61% keeps them active all day.
Tick remover
Check ankles and, if there's a dog, paws and ears every night.
Travel first aid kit
Three rainy days plus coastal hiking near national parks puts cuts and scrapes in play during outdoor hours.
Power bank 10k–20k mAh
Day trips from your base to nearby parks drain phone batteries faster than a single-day charge handles.
Carry-on backpack (35–45L)
Domestic travel fits overhead bins on every airline, so you skip the checked-bag line entirely.
Daypack (15–25L)
National parks nearby mean day trips from your base, so a separate pack carries water and layers for the hours away.
Recommended
12 items
Lightweight wind jacket
Moisture-wicking t-shirts
Sun hoodie (UPF long sleeve)
Swimwear
Wide-brim sun hat
Permethrin-treated clothing spray