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The coast, the palm trees, the cool breeze amidst the hot sun and the giant “Hollywood” sign. It sounds like southern California is on the itinerary. Keep reading and find out what to wear in central to southern California!
Outfits for SoCal Style
Written by: Nina Thomas
Table Of Contents
Southern California (SoCal) has lots to offer, and the weather is pretty amiable, which means you don’t have to pack for extreme temperatures. Although you will need to be prepared with a few cautionary layering items, most of your packing list will consist of clothes that you can wear all throughout the southern part of the state.
The challenge is that no trip to California is complete without making a road trip up north then going from coastal beach towns, such as San Jose, to wine tasting in Napa Valley, to checking out the parks and scenery in the Big Sur area. Bigger cities such as Los Angeles and San Diego require a few additional items for a night on the town or city sightseeing.
Creating an interchangeable capsule wardrobe is the key to simplified packing, which can easily fit into a carry-on with the help of packing cubes to compress your clothing!
Sunglasses | Dress | Utility Jacket | Crossbody | Sandals | Camera | Hat
Southern California by travelwithnina featuring a zip jacket
Starting with some of the smaller coastal beach towns and the Big Sur area off Highway One, you’ll want to pack an outfit that you can walk around comfortably in the heat. Obviously if you’re actually planning on swimming in the ocean, you’ll want to be prepared with all of the necessary items. However, if you’re just visiting (not swimming) a pair of Bermuda shorts and a loose fitting shirt is a great option.
The Big Sur area can be very windy and the evenings can be chilly, even in the summer time. A pair of jeans are a staple that can be dressed up or down, and are perfect for a cooler evening.
You’ll also want to be prepared with something that goes over your head to avoid hair in the mouth. Since you can walk around many of the parks on the beach, you’ll want a good pair of supportive sandals and sunglasses.
Tip: Consider bringing a pack of disposable wipes in case you decide to dip your feet in the water and want to avoid lots of sand and dirt that will rest on your sandals for the rest of the trip.
Jacket | Dress | Earrings | Lipstick | Flats | Sunglasses | Bag
California by travelwithnina featuring a denim jacket
Although some of the wine tasting involves walking around the vineyards, many of those who go wine tasting consider it to be a tad more formal than your typical sightseeing venues such as a museum or historic site.
You’ll want to wear California outfits that are casual but nice. Think of it as going out to an upscale restaurant during lunchtime. Some of the tasting rooms can be chilly, so make sure to bring a jacket or a cardigan.
Tip: I would recommend a looser-fitting dress as visiting different vineyards requires a lot of riding in the car from place to place, so you don’t want anything too constricting.
Backpack | V-Neck Top | Sunglasses | Shorts | Sandal | Necklace | Hat
California by travelwithnina featuring a black t shirt
When sightseeing in some of the larger cities like LA and San Diego, you’ll want to have day-time California outfits that are comfortable and casual.
You’ll want something that is suited to visiting museums, taking public transportation and walking around outside in the heat. Nice shorts and a t-shirt, and a nice looking backpack to store water and guidebooks, should do the trick.
The wardrobe staple J Crew T-Shirt is amazing for travel – find out why in our review here!
Cardigan | Dress | Bracelet | Crossbody | Watch | Necklace | Boots
California by travelwithnina featuring a black dress
When planning what to wear in California for SoCal city stays, you’ll want to make sure you have something more upscale to wear out in the evenings.
Black is a great color for night, and can be paired with almost any color bag or shoes that you may bring. A splash of lipstick will add a more sophisticated city look for the evening.
What are your tips on what to wear in California (in SoCal)? Please share it below!
For more North America packing tips, please read:
- The Southern Californian Guide on What to Pack for Disneyland
- What to Wear in California to Explore the Beautiful National Parks
- What to Wear in New Orleans: Summer in the South
- What to Pack for Chicago Getaways
Suggested travel resources:
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Author Bio: A travel lover and freelance writer from the United States Midwest. Traveling mostly as a couple with her husband, she is constantly looking for a beautiful view and a good adventure. Some of her travel highlights include horseback riding in the Ecuadorian Andes, hiking on top of Mount Etna in Sicily, and sheep-gazing in the Cotswolds. Her favorite travel tips are “do as the locals do” and purchase packing cubes. For more practical travel tips and ideas from a Central Ohio Girl, check out her website: travelingwithnina.com or follow her on Twitter.
Good afternoon, i am traveling to Orange county Mid May, what should i pack
Hi Jacqueline, to get the best advice about what the weather and fashion is like at that time of the year, I would highly recommend that you join our TFG facebook group and post any questions you have there: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelfashiongirls/
It’s a fabulous community of helpful female travelers that love to share their travel advice and recommendations.
Have an amazing time!
Hello is a leather backpack practical to use there or would it fade quickly in the sun? Thank you so much!
Hi Sarah, I have traveled with my black leather Rebecca Minkoff Julian backpack all around the world, from Thailand to Colombia, to Mexico and Italy, and I’ve always traveled with mine in the heat and humidity with no issues. Hope this helps. 🙂
Hello. I am going to be in Los Angeles March 6th-11th. What type of clothing and shoes do you recommend for me to pack?
Hi Chandra, for more help planning your packing for your trip, have a read of this post: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-pack-for-los-angeles/ Particularly have a look at the recommendation for what to pack for spring. Remember to pack a jacket for when the temperatures drop at night. Hope this helps. Have a wonderful trip!!
I live in southern California all my life and it’s so laid back you can were pajama pants to the grocery store lol
Yes. Jeans are the best. I will wear them all year round and nice to know I can wear them without baking to death in the summer in California. I roast in my jeans in Arizona, but I love the security and worry free dressing they provide. No cares about big gusts of wind, how I sit or where and no fussing with where my outfit starts and ends.
Hello, thank you for your comment and for sharing your experiences of California! 🙂
I am planning a trip mini road trip to San Francisco to Big Sur. What do you recommend to wear?
Hi Cherry, thanks for your question! Take a look at these articles for some ideas:
https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-wear-in-san-francisco/
https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/usa-southwest-road-trip/
Hope these give you some ideas to start planning. Have a great trip 🙂
I’d recommend bringing at least one pair jeans / pants. It gets cold at night — especially during the winter months // around Big Sur.
Thanks for the tips Jessie 🙂 I agree that it can get chilly there in the evenings!
I’ve lived in California my whole life, Southern and Northern.
San Jose is not on the coast, it is inland at the southernmost tip of the Bay Area. It is also quite a ways from Los Angeles, i.e., 4-5 hour drive on the most direct route. Napa Valley is another 2 hours or more further north. So, a Southern California trip that includes the two cities would not be practical by car. It would be best to split the trip into two segments, Southern California and Northern California. “”Northern California” does not include anything beyond Mendocino on the coast. It’s a huge state and has distinct parts as most states and countries do. Northern California beyond Mendocino, while gorgeous and well worth a visit, is quite different from the section of the state between Big Sur and Mendocino.
Come visit, it’s a wonderful place!
Great tips Clariza! Big Sur is gorgeous 🙂
Woww..simply love those tips.I love to explore new places but many times I get confused with my dresses.Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for reading!
Keep in mind that, especially on the coast, it can be damp and cool most mornings until about 10 or 11. And because it’s not humid, the temperature can drop 20 degrees once the sun goes down. It’s not unusual to have the outdoor heat lamps on in the middle of summer. Visitors are always surprised by this! So always have a sweater or a cute hoodie and make sure to pack a pair of jeans (and yes, you can wear jeans everywhere – even to church!- in California).
It’s unbelievable that the weather can be so hot during the day even in the peak of summer and still get cold at night. At least we get a steady (and welcome) relief from the heat!