Many of our mid-conference field trips will be in these areas. Slightly further to the north is California's best known wine country, the Napa and Sonoma valleys. Within a three to five hour's drive are the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, the Monterey Peninsula, Big Sur, Redwood State and National Parks, and many other famous California sights. Weather The close proximity of the Pacific Ocean creates a very mild and predictable summer climate in Berkeley. A typical August day starts off cool and overcast, becomes sunny and warm by mid-day, and returns to cool and overcast by night.
Rain is extremely rare.
A light jacket or sweater is often useful at the end of the day. If you are going on the excursions to the coast be prepared for cool weather. The coast is usually foggy and windy at this time of year. If you are going on the wine country tour expect very hot dry weather in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. Trips to the Sierras will also involve extremes of hot days and cold nights.