The Perfect California Packing List: What to Wear and Bring

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California is a beautiful state filled with all sorts of amazing things to do. From beaches, to mountains, to big cities and small cities—no matter what your dream vacation is, you’ll find something here that you’ll love.I mean, if you want you could even spend your morning at the beach and your afternoon in the mountains! How cool is that?!

But whenever I plan a vacation I know the first thing I worry about (after booking my travel) is what to wear and what to bring with me. Some people think this part of the planning is fun, while others think they’d rather do anything but shop for the items they need to take with them.

Luckily for you, I’m a California native and have lived and traveled all up and down this beautiful state.This means I know exactly what you’ll need and you won’t have to worry about forgetting something important or making a style faux pas!

So whether you love shopping or hate it, this California packing list will easily help you decide what to pack for a trip to California. It will leave you saying “Sweet!” in your best California-surfer voice, and will help you feel more comfortable choosing what to bring on your amazing California vacation!

What to Consider Before Packing for California

Before you start packing for California, there are a few things you’ll want to consider. Asking questions like “What is California weather like?” and “How do people in California dress?” can help you be prepared with what to expect when you’re here.

Weather in California

So what is the weather in California? Luckily for visitors and locals alike, California weather year-round is nearly always pleasant. But while this leads people to sometimes say and think that California is “always sunny,” this isn’t actually quite accurate.

Even though California weather is mild throughout most of the state and most of the year, we do still have seasons. California in winter might not be as cold or harsh as winter is in other places, but the winter into springtime seasons here can still be quite rainy and cloudy. So if you’re expecting sun during this season, you may be disappointed. On the other hand, it may be sunny and not raining at all when you visit! It just depends on the year and can differ week-by-week, so how to dress for California winter can vary quite widely.

During the summer into fall season in California, we usually have a lot of warm days that are the quintessential sunny California weather most visitors expect. California summer temperatures can range from high 70°F in the coastal regions all the way up into the 100°F range, especially if you visit inland areas. The warm weather makes summer a particularly popular time to visit, but I personally find that my favorite time to be in California is early fall since the weather is still very pleasant but there are fewer crowds than during the summer.

Besides thinking about the season you choose to visit, you should also consider the locations you will be exploring when you’re figuring out how to dress for California weather. The weather definitely varies depending on where in California you go! For example, if you’re planning to spend time at the coast you’ll find the temperatures there are often cooler than in the inland areas. The weather at the beach will be very different from the weather somewhere in the desert like Joshua Tree…and the weather of both of these locations will be different from the weather in the mountains.

As you can see, what to pack for California is highly individualized for your particular trip and for the season when you visit. But luckily there are a few staples of California clothing to bring that you can simply modify as you need for your own circumstances, so we’ll talk about those in a minute.

But one more thing to consider about California weather is that there’s usually a pretty significant drop in temperature at night, no matter the season. This means you may be cold at night even in the summer when the weather is in the 100s during the day! For this reason, I always recommend bringing a sweatshirt or jacket plus a pair of long pants on any California trip, as you’ll likely end up wanting these layers at least at night.

So yes, California is usually sunny and warm and lovely, but what to wear in winter in California and what to wear in California in summer will still be a little bit different. So be sure to check the weather forecast close to your vacation, and then pack accordingly!

California Style

Your next consideration when thinking about what to pack when going to California is the California dressing style. Californian-style clothing is often very laid back and relaxed, so if you’re wondering what to wear in California then the good news is that pretty much anything goes!

But one thing you should know is that California-style clothes for everyday wear are usually on the more casual side. Denim shorts or pants, sandals or sneakers, and athleisure are all staples of everyday wear for locals. So if you want to blend in while sightseeing then wearing clothes like this is a good idea!

Of course, we don’t always wear sandals and shorts. We do dress up as the occasion requires (for instance, business wear is often dressier…as are outfits for going out at night). For dressing up to go out in the evening, women often wear a cute sundress or jeans with a nice top. For guys, a button down shirt and a nice pair of jeans is usually all you’ll need even at nice restaurants (although maybe for really nice restaurants you would feel more comfortable with a pair of slacks instead of jeans).

The good news about California-style outfits is that you likely already have some items in your closet that will work well for your California trip. But if you’re looking to buy California-style clothing for your vacation or just want to see what I mean about the laid back California clothes style, then you can check out the lookbook I’ve put together further down in this post.

The Perfect California Packing List

Looking for the perfect California packing list? Luckily for you, I’ve created a list of general essentials that you should pack for California. While this list is aimed toward a “standard” one to two week trip, it is easy to modify it depending on the length of your stay, where you’re going, and when you’re visiting. So whether you’re looking for what to pack for a 3 day trip or what to pack for a 10 day trip to California, this list will help you decide what to take to California and will make sure you have all the essentials you need!

Clothes for California

  • 5-6 shirts: Bring a mixture of casual short sleeve shirts, dressier short sleeve shirts, and tank tops. Short sleeves are great for most of the year as you can layer a jacket over them if you get cold, but if you are traveling in the winter you may wish to bring along a few long sleeve shirts or light sweaters instead.
  • 1 pair of jeans: No matter what season you are traveling in, you will want a pair of jeans on hand for temperature drops at night or for wearing in the evening if you plan to go to restaurants or clubs with a dress code.
  • 2 pairs of shorts: Shorts are a staple in California for men and for women, and especially through all the warmer months (spring, summer, fall). Even in the winter you will likely see locals wearing their favorite shorts out and about, although you may find long jeans a more sensible choice during this season.
  • 1 pair of leggings/hiking pants: If you plan to hike or explore the outdoors during your trip then you’ll want to have some athletic clothes/athleisure on hand to wear.
  • 1-2 hiking shirts: For the same reasons as bringing leggings/hiking pants, you’ll want a few shirts for hiking that you won’t mind getting sweaty.
  • 1 swimsuit: Swimsuits are essential in California! After all, we have some of the most coveted beaches anywhere in the world. If your whole trip centers around being at the beach, you may want to consider bringing more than one swimsuit…but otherwise you should be fine with just one.
  • 1 sweatshirt or jacket: Always bring at least one sweatshirt or jacket on any California trip, as you’ll want it to keep warm in the evenings. Hoodies are a popular choice for casual settings, while nicer jackets are a good option for less casual settings.
  • 1-2 nice outfits: For women, I recommend bringing dresses, skirts, or rompers for your nice outfits.You could also easily wear jeans or cute pants if you have a nice shirt to pair them with. For men, I recommend bringing a collared button-up shirt that you can wear with a nice pair of jeans. If you will be visiting really fancy places, then you may also want to consider bringing a pair of slacks.
  • 2-3 pairs of shoes: Depending on the type of travel you are doing, you will need around 2-3 pairs of shoes. Some staples of California life are sneakers and sandals (for both men and women), but you may want to bring a third pair of dressier shoes if you plan to go out in the evenings, go wine tasting, etc.
  • 1 pair of pajamas: For your pajamas, you’ll likely want shorts and a short sleeve shirt/tank top for the warm months, although during the colder months you may want long pajamas if you will be camping or going somewhere cold during your trip.
  • Socks/Underwear: I’ll leave this up to your discretion, depending on how long you’ll be here (and whether you want to have to do a load of laundry on your trip)

Other Things to Pack for California

  • Sunglasses: Sunglasses are an essential on any California vacation packing list. While I recommend them to protect your eyes from the sun, you’ll find sunglasses are also a fun way to flaunt your fashion style in California.
  • Hat: Thanks to the California sun, a hat is always a good item to have around. From ball caps for hiking and outdoors to sun hats for the beach (and for all those California Instagrams!) there is a wide variety to choose from and something to suit everyone.
  • Beach Towel: A beach towel is a definite necessity for any California vacation near the coast, so make sure you bring a fun one along!
  • Sunscreen: Even if you’re coming to California to get that nice vacation tan, you’ll still want to bring sunscreen along to help prevent damage to your skin. I love this powder sunscreen for everyday use and this spray sunscreen for days at the beach.
  • Tote Bag: Tote bags are also a California vacation essential. They’re perfect for carrying everything you need to the beach and also work great for grocery store runs (California grocery stores don’t give out plastic bags). I love these cute pun totes from Cotton & Canvas Co.—there are so many adorable ones to choose from!
  • Crossbody bag or backpack: You will, of course, need a bag or backpack to carry miscellaneous items with you when you are exploring cities or hiking. Crossbody bags are excellent choices and keep your valuables close, while this is my go-to anti-theft backpack to use anywhere and everywhere.
  • Camera: For those looking to capture California vacation memories, you may want to bring an actual camera with you on your trip. A GoPro is one of my favorite cameras for adventures like snorkeling and kayaking (learn how to take over/under water photos here!), while the Sony a6000 is the perfect camera for taking high-quality landscape, wildlife, and portrait photos.


California Packing List Lookbook

Now that you know a general overview of what to bring, let’s take a look at some possible outfit choices. Remember that California style is quite laid back, though, so if you have items in your wardrobe that you already love those will work perfectly. But if you’re looking for some inspiration or to add some new items to your wardrobe, this is for you!

1. Shirts

California style really revolves around wearing nice tops paired with denim jeans or shorts.Cute shirts are worn throughout the day and then dressed up for the evening with a nice pair of heels and some jewelry.

Tank tops and short sleeves are great for springs, summers, and falls while longer sleeve (but still light) shirts are great for cold falls, winters, and springs. Remember, you can always layer on a jacket if you get cold!

2. Shorts and Pants

After cute tops, shorts are the next most important California staple.Especially jean shorts! I know that some people aren’t as comfortable with wearing shorts, but as a California girl I firmly believe there’s a style out there for everybody…you just have to find yours! And if you don’t like the distressed and short shorts look, try going for a more high-waisted and classic/clean look.

Jeans are, of course, also a huge staple in California.In fact, the classic brand Levi Strauss & Co. was even founded in San Francisco in 1853! Long pants are essential to have on hand year-round, as it gets cold in the evenings. They’re also perfect for dressing down during the day or for dressing up for going out at night. And like shorts, there are tons of styles to choose from!

3. Sundresses

Next up is one of my favorite California staples—sundresses! I love them and practically live in them, especially in the warmer months.

A well-chosen dress can take you from the beach to the city and from day to night.And dresses are also great to wear all year long, as you can wear them on their own during warm times and then layer with tights/leggings and jackets for the colder months. If you already have some cute dresses in your wardrobe, then bring those! But if you’re looking for a wardrobe refresh, then here’s some fun styles to consider:

4. Rompers and Jumpsuits

Rompers and jumpsuits are currently having a moment in California, and let me just say I am loving it! They’re cute and easy outfits to throw on and can easily take you from day to night.It’s perfect because all you have to do is layer on a jacket for the evening, choose some cute jewelry, and you’re all set!

5. Jacket or Hoodie

As mentioned earlier, jackets and hoodies are an essential part of any Californian’s wardrobe because of the temperature drop at night.They’ll be an essential part of your outfits for California too!

Hoodies are especially prevalent in the Bay Area, but can be used anywhere in California (especially for beaches and hikes).And jackets are great for layering and dressing your outfit up a little bit while in a bigger city or going out at night.

6. Swimsuits and Beach Attire

Obviously, beach attire is something that should be top of your California trip packing list if you’ll be hitting up our gorgeous beaches! Whether you’re swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, surfing, or doing any other number of exciting things, you’ll need swimwear.And you’ll likely also want a swimsuit cover-up to use on the way to and from the beach as well as when walking around the beachside areas.

7. Shoes

For California adventures, I often recommend you bring 2-3 pairs of shoes (depending on what you plan to do while you’re here/how long you’re staying).You’ll need sandals for the beach and for everyday. We practically live in sandals, so grab a comfortable pair for your trip! Then you’ll likely want tennis shoes/sneakers as well, as this is another staple that is versatile and perfect for exploring cities, taking short hikes, or visiting some of California’s amazing theme parks. Last, you’ll want a pair of dressier shoes like cute heels or boots if you plan to go to nice restaurants, wine tasting, or the like.

8. Accessories

And last but not least, you’ll want to grab all the accessories and miscellaneous items you need to have the perfect vacation.Some of these include sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a beach towel, a tote bag, and definitely a camera to capture all your best vacation moments!

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