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What to pack for California in November

Typical November, built from ten years of weather

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Typical for your dates
Highs 66°F, lows 48°F, rain 6 of 30 days
short daysmildcool nights
Sunset lands around 5:55pm. Wind averages 8 mph. No border paperwork on this one.
0 of 38 packed
27 things on this list are on sale today

Essentials

11 items
Wear one, dry one. Cotton stays wet all week here.
Arc'teryx Women's Lana Merino Wool Crew Base Layer Top  Black XS
Arc'teryx Women's Lana Merino Wool Crew Base…Women'smid
REI$63.93$9029% off
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Water reflects off the coast and UV index 3.6 still burns unprotected eyes.
Knockaround Paso Robles Sport Polarized Sunglasses Pink Silver Smoke
Knockaround Paso Robles Sport Polarized…mid
REI$38
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Six rain days in November bring mosquitoes to urban parks and coastal areas.
Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion - 4 fl. oz.
Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotionmid
REI$10.95
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Check ankles and, if there's a dog, paws and ears every night.
8-Bit Tire Lever + Rim Dent Remover Multi-Tool
8-Bit Tire Lever + Rim Dent Remover Multi-Tool
Backcountry.com$19.95
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Coastal winds at 13 km/h and rocky terrain near parks cause minor injuries.
ALPS Mountaineering Personal First Aid Carrier Red
ALPS Mountaineering Personal First Aid Carrier
REI$22.73$34.9935% off
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Short November daylight means photos pile up fast and phones drain by evening.
Goal Zero Venture 75 Power Bank
Goal Zero Venture 75 Power Bankmid
REI$120
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Dark by 5:55pm. Every campsite chore after that is a two-hands job.
Fenix HM50R V2.0 Rechargeable Headlamp Black
Fenix HM50R V2.0 Rechargeable Headlampmid
REI$59.95
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Carry overhead on domestic flights and skip the checked-bag counter entirely.
Matador 45L Global Travel Pack
Matador 45L Global Travel PackWe carry thismid
MatadorSee price
Code CHRISANDSARA, 15% off
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Park trails near the coast run 10 to 15 kilometers round trip.
Consuelo 22L Daypack
Consuelo 22L Daypackmid
Cotopaxi$120
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Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely.
Coraza Suitcase - Carry On
Coraza Suitcase - Carry On
Cotopaxi$295
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For the passport, the chargers, and the one dry pair of socks.
Matador Mesh Organizer Bag Set - 3-Pack One Color, One Size
Matador Mesh Organizer Bag Set - 3-Packbudget
Backcountry.com$18.99
Code CHRISANDSARA, 15% off
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Before you go

2 to sort
Going, Cheap cash fares, emailed when they droppoint.me, Finds the flight your points will actually book
AllTrails, Download your trails before you lose signal.

Recommended

6 items
Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.
Sun Bum Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Spray - 6 fl. oz.
Sun Bum Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Spray
REI$13.93$20.5032% off
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Tap water is safe but carrying your own bottle saves time at trailheads.
1L Collapsible Water Bottle
1L Collapsible Water Bottlebudget
Ruffwear$9.99
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One brick charges the laptop, phone, and camera.
Dual Slim Charger
Dual Slim Chargermid
Peak Design$64.95
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Airport crowds in November make bags easy to misplace during connections.
Altitude Tracker LT Jogger - Men's
Altitude Tracker LT Jogger - Men'smid
Backcountry.com$87.95
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Packing for two weeks in one bag requires organized compression.
Matador Packing Cube Set
Matador Packing Cube SetWe carry thismid
MatadorSee price
Code CHRISANDSARA, 15% off
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November trips run long enough that laundry matters by week two.
Matador Laundry Bag
Matador Laundry Bagmid
MatadorSee price
Code CHRISANDSARA, 15% off
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Nice to have

5 items you could skip
Crowded November tourism means frequent contact with surfaces and railings.
Insect bites itch worse in 69% humidity, and sun exposure deepens the sting.
Ten hours of daylight is tight for charging between morning hikes and dinner.
Domestic travel means TSA checkpoints; locks keep bags secure in hostels.
Guesthouse bathrooms are small; hanging storage keeps toiletries accessible.

Basics

16 things you probably own already