valygrl

Because it rains like a m'er-f'er on the coast when there is a storm - a deluge of cold soaking rain, often accompanied by high south winds. It's not "spring" in February and March it is still "winter."

I grew up in San Diego and lived in Berkeley and Santa Cruz for 20 years, so I'm not pulling this out of my ass.

Edit to add: sure he might not get a storm.... but it's likely he will, and even when it's not storming it is still winter.

And since he is trying to do this on the cheap, the opportunity to bail into a motel multiple times on the trip to escape bad weather is probably not there. I'm an experienced camper with the highest quality camping equipment and I wouldn't camp for a month on the coast in winter if you paid me to.

OP, If you want to go ahead and do it, go ahead and do it, but do not be surprised if the weather is awful. Debating hat vs headband is the kind of minor detail that might make you not notice the big picture.