Early March for Napa and North?

[sdotkling]

Hi All:
Time is tight these days, and the only week I can get away is the first one in March. Would rather avoid going to the South, since the last time I went was pretty scary. (What is it about spandex that makes people in pickups go crazy?) California seems much more simpatico, and milder than New York. I've pedaled through quite a bit of Contra Costa County and over the Carquinez Strait up through Napa over the years, so I thought a Napa-to-Mendocino-to-SF route sounded like fun. But what about the weather? Motels are on the agenda, since camping would seem to be pushing my luck. I'm expecting some rain, that's okay, but endless rain and wind doesn't sound too thrilling. Has anybody ridden through the area in early March? Thanks for the tips.

[John Nettles]

Check out WeatherSpark.com for good climate info for anywhere in the world.  Others have suggested http://www.prism.oregonstate.edu/normals/ for the USA.
Tailwinds, John

[jamawani]

Early March can be pretty raw and wet in Northern Cal.
Can be gorgeous, can be misserable if a Pineapple Express hits.
Coin flip.

I think you would be better off in Southern Cal - esp. the desert parks.
Wildflower season in Anza Borrego and Joshua Tree.

https://theabf.org/explore-anza-borrego/wildflowers-super-bloom/
https://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/blooms.htm

Anza Borrego has gotten excellent winter rains, Joshua Tree not so much.
So it should be a good year in Anza Borrego.

You could fly into San Diego -
Head east on the Southern Tier.
Then work your way north on paved county roads into the park.
State park website -

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=638

Early March avg. temps - 75F / 50F; precip  - low, maybe a light shower