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What to pack for San Francisco in April
Typical April, built from ten years of weather
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Typical for your dates
Highs 61°F, lows 50°F, rain 5 of 30 days
windyhigh UVmild
Sunset lands around 7:45pm. Wind averages 17 mph. No border paperwork on this one.
0 of 43 packed
Packing for
35 things on this list are on sale today
Essentials
11 items
The layer you'll wear more than any other.
UV index of 8.7 burns exposed skin in under 25 minutes.
Coastal glare off the bay intensifies even on overcast days.
Humidity at 78% keeps mosquitoes active near the bay.
Check ankles and, if there's a dog, paws and ears every night.
Urban hiking to nearby parks means minor scrapes and blisters.
Daylight stretches to 13 hours; phones drain faster with constant use.
Fits overhead bins on regional flights to nearby parks.
Day trips to Golden Gate and Marin need dedicated space.
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
10 items
Coastal wind cuts through a t-shirt fast.
Wind at 28 km/h cuts through layers around your neck and face.
UV hits 8.7 here. Long sleeves beat reapplying sunscreen every hour.
Thirteen hours of daylight means sustained sun exposure all day.
Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.
Tap water is safe, but carrying water saves money and time.
One brick charges the laptop, phone, and camera.
Airports and transit hubs make bags easy targets for theft.
Organized packing prevents rewashing clothes mid-trip in a small hotel room.
Five rain days mean damp clothes need quick drying between wears.
Nice to have
6 items you could skip
Wind and sun together crack lips faster than you'd expect.
Public transit and crowded sites spread germs year-round.
Insect bites itch worse when sunburned skin is already inflamed.
Multiple devices need charging on a long urban day.
Domestic travel still requires basic luggage security precautions.
Bathroom space in urban hotels is minimal and humid.
Basics
16 things you probably own already