As a native son of San Diego, I admit we’re blessed with weather here. Yes, we also may be a little less “hearty” because we don’t have to rake piles of leaves or shovel snow. But we still have seasons. I swear. Really. Trust me. Some of the leaves will turn (December). Snow will cover the ground ( in the local mountains above 4,000 feet around January). Ah heck, the thermometer will flirt with 32 F in “town” before year’s end (at 4 a.m. on a single day in a canyon 20 miles east of the ocean). It happens.
The best way to experience weather in San Diego is on a bike. We really have two seasons: sunny and sunnier. A San Diego cyclist with thousands of miles in his or her legs can detect the difference between 104 degrees and say “just” 100 (for your Arizona and Florida folks). They know when humidity is 30 percent or 15 percent. They can appreciate the arc of the sun as the earth tilts us toward the winter solstice and darker, longer nights. They understand the thickening dawn fog of September as summer begins its long goodbye.
Falling for fall takes practice. In the middle of the day, ride like it’s a summer day. In the morning or late afternoon, bring a few extras. Wind vest. Check. Arm warmers. Check. Smile. Double check — no matter what the time of day.
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