WEATHER REPORTS - bikini or anorak

[Zep]

I'm not from Las Vegas, nor from Nevada or Arizona, nor even from the USA. On the other side of the world, January is hot and sunny, and mostly beach weather. So we know that it will be "winter" in the top half of the world.

But what about Las Vegas and environs? It's desert, so it's hot. But it's winter, so it's not... :confused:

For those of us coming from afar, could a local familiar with the seasons outside in January please tell us what the weather will be like at:

Los Angeles?

Las Vegas area?

Flagstaff / Grand Canyon area?


This all helps when packing clothes to travel...!

[renata]

http://www.wunderground.com/

They have historical weather data going back 10 years by location, you can check trends or individual days.

January it tends to be relatively warm and sunny in Los Angeles, some rain. According to the site, average highs of 66 F (19C), average lows 48 F (9C).

Vegas, apparently gets somewhat colder in January :average highs 57 F(14 C), average lows 34 F (1C).

[Zep]

Thanks, Renata. That info is great, but I'm more hoping to find out what sort of clothing might be useful/appropriate. For example, while it may be possibly snowing and cold in Flagstaff and Grand Canyon, will we need just normal cold-weather clothing, or that plus snow-chains! (Is the snow an inch deep or feet deep!) This has a big bearing on whether Mrs Zep can/will be able to go there safely.

[MoeFaux]

Weather in Las Vegas in January is cold. About 40 degrees F. Pack long sleeves, sweaters, jeans, and if you're like me, you'll want to be wearing a leather coat. But, maybe that's just personal preference.

[MoeFaux]

Zep,
I'm new to the board so I haven't figured out how to use PMing yet. (obviously). I'm sorry I didn't get back to you abou the weather. I'm an idiot

[Zep]

Thanks, MoeFaux.

wunderground.com was helpful too, thanks, Renata.

However I'm having another difficulty in finding info: As a little holiday, we are also planning to drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles via the coast road (San Luis Obispo, etc). We now know it will be cool but not snowing or extremely windy. But what we can't seem to find out is if it rains often and particularly if it has much fog at that time of year.

The times I've been to San Francisco before it has been gorgeous weather, no fog, no rain. I gather there is fog along that coast in spring and autumn (sorry, fall). But what about January?

Anyone help here?

cheers
Zep

[Dinonychus]

Originally posted by MoeFaux
Weather in Las Vegas in January is cold. About 40 degrees F. Pack long sleeves, sweaters, jeans, and if you're like me, you'll want to be wearing a leather coat. But, maybe that's just personal preference.

For those of you who are used to this type of whether, be sure to pack shorts. ;)

[Girl 6]

Originally posted by Zep
Thanks, MoeFaux.

wunderground.com was helpful too, thanks, Renata.

However I'm having another difficulty in finding info: As a little holiday, we are also planning to drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles via the coast road (San Luis Obispo, etc). We now know it will be cool but not snowing or extremely windy. But what we can't seem to find out is if it rains often and particularly if it has much fog at that time of year.

The times I've been to San Francisco before it has been gorgeous weather, no fog, no rain. I gather there is fog along that coast in spring and autumn (sorry, fall). But what about January?

Anyone help here?

cheers
Zep

Zep!

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and I can tell you that the weather in January is a bit variable. There is apt to be rain, though. There will be fog along certain parts of the coast. Sometimes, we will get the occasional beautiful winter day where there is sunshine and a cold crisp feeling in the air.

We really don't get any snow here. It's just that the wind can bite you and make it feel like it is colder than it is. Of course, I'm spoiled and don't realize what REAL cold weather is like, but for us Californians, anything below 60 degrees F is apt to be construed as "cold."

The protocol for us is LAYERS... :D

Also, if you are going to be anywhere near Highway 5, be aware that there is a potential for snow in the Santa Ana mountains. And, that highway is notorious for fog during the winter months.

However, if you are going the Highway 1 route, rain may be an issue.

Have a great trip!

G6

[Zep]

Thanks G6! MOST helpful!

Route at this time looks to be: Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Simeon(!), San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and points SE to LAX (no further - we have been to Orange County before...).

So it seems, if luck is with us, we will be able to have some nice scenery that way!

Can you recommend any particularly scenic and cultural spots? (Please don't say Disneyland...)

[Jeff Corey]

Frisco to Vegas in January?
Think layers, from thermals, to sweaters to rain resistant outer gear. Then you're more flexible. And you can hide your 9mm.
Casual clothing is more and more the rule here, except at certain biker bars with strict dress codes.

[Girl 6]

Originally posted by Zep
Thanks G6! MOST helpful!

Route at this time looks to be: Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Simeon(!), San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and points SE to LAX (no further - we have been to Orange County before...).

So it seems, if luck is with us, we will be able to have some nice scenery that way!

Can you recommend any particularly scenic and cultural spots? (Please don't say Disneyland...)

You will have incredible scenery! That's a fabulous route. I do part of that in the summer. :)

Okay... scenic and cultural spots... You HAVE to go and see The Hearst Castle in San Simeon! The architecture has to be looked at and even better, it was designed by a famous California architect, Julia Morgan. :) Here's a link: http://www.hearstcastle.com/history/index.asp. It's a bit touristy, but I guarantee that you'll appreciate visiting it. :)

Santa Cruz has a funky boardwalk. You can check it out to see the old rollercoaster there. :) Also, hang out downtown to get a feeling for the surfer dudes/dudettes and that laid back California attitude.

Monterey has a fabulous aquarium. They just opened up the Jellyfish display which is quite amazing. Also, take the nice scenic route through the Pebble Beach golf course to just ogle the rich people and their mansions. ;) Hmmm... If you're lucky, you might be able to catch the seals hanging out on the rocks near the golf course. That's quite a sight to see. Of course, you can catch those same seals more up close and personal on the piers at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco.

You should stop by Carmel. I believe that Clint Eastwood is still the mayor of that nice little town. He has a pub called The Boar's Head (I think), that you can just drop in for a brush with the rich and famous. Carmel also has some very nice upscale shops.

San Luis Obispo is the home of California Polytechnical University or Cal Poly. It's mostly an agricultural town, but I hear that it is getting a lot more urban there.

Santa Barbara is a jewel of a town. Make sure you take some time to walk downtown and walk along that various beaches there. It's really clean and friendly.

By the way, I HATE Disneyland. :D

L.A. is a wasteland to me. I think that you might have to ask Renata about it. ;)

OH!! Last thing... If you do land in San Francisco any time before 1/14/2004, I'd be happy to join you and your wife for dinner. Just let me know. :)

G6

[Zep]

Wow! Thanks heaps again, G6! San Simeon was the only specific item we had on the list, although San Luis Obispo is supposed to have some sort of "farmers market" that is supposed to be a heap of fun. I'm finding out more about this now...

OH!! Last thing... If you do land in San Francisco any time before 1/14/2004, I'd be happy to join you and your wife for dinner. Just let me know.Thanks, that's a great offer, but alas, we will be jetting straight into Las Vegas on the 15th. We hope to go to SF on the afternoon of the 18th and will be in Santa Cruz that night.

I've been to SF a few times before, and it is honestly very much a sister city to Sydney - similar attitudes, lifestyles, geography, etc (just add earthquakes). I felt right at home, actually!

[hgc]

Originally posted by Zep
Thanks G6! MOST helpful!

Route at this time looks to be: ... San Simeon(!), ...

Can you recommend any particularly scenic and cultural spots? (Please don't say Disneyland...) Nice going on the San Simeon thing. I also highly recommend the neighboring town of Cambria to rent a house for the weekend, if you itinerary permits. You can get a house very near the cliffs on the ocean for not a lot of $, and wow!

[arcticpenguin]

You say that like it's a mutually exclusive choice.

[Girl 6]

Originally posted by arcticpenguin
You say that like it's a mutually exclusive choice.

Yeah, I can see wearing a bikini with a fur coat. ;)

G6