Winter Clothing

You might be surprised and find some warm weather. I have on Nov-Dec trips to Rome, London, Paris. That's over a 15 year span though. Have also experienced constant rain, a dusting of snow and temps in the 30's and 40's. SoCal resident as well but NoCal born so always have a good jacket, hat and gloves to travel with. My jacket of choice is similar to the Northface one you're considering. Mine is the Patagonia brand. Waterproof. Personally I like to travel light so instead of a heavy vest I take some capiliene underwear, top and bottoms. That's the first layer, then depending on the chill add a Lands End lightweight Therma Check fleece. Either vest or a zippered long sleeve top. Skull cap or beanie and gloves. Usually buy the scarf where I'm traveling if I really need it. If the jacket isn't breathable being in fleece will heat you up like mad. Keep that in mind when you're inside a museum. Oh and don't forget a couple of pairs of durable Smart wool socks. The best socks on the market, hands down.

I am a Chicagoan who ditches her winter coat when it's above 40 degrees for a sweatshirt and fleece and sleeps with the window open all year round. I may not have the right answer for a SoCal-er.
If you run warm, I'd recommend just the fleece with a sweater and maybe an extra long sleeve shirt (like an Under Armour) underneath, and of course a hat and gloves and perhaps a scarf. Don't forget, you will warm up the more you walk, and if you're like me, you start sweating heavily with increased motion. Those places indeed run cold, but if you plan on doing lots of moving around, you may wish you left the bulky coat at home.

I would also take along lightweight long underwear (tops and bottoms). They don't take up much room and can come in handy. We've found that "the scarf", which seems to be worn by European men and women alike, is the most indispensible weather/fashion accessory.

I like the first choice because it has a hood for rain and can be layered up or down. That said, if I were going to those places in Nov./Dec., I would take a real "winter coat." It will be COLD-esp. for someone from SoCal, probably rain or snow or both. My husband, who also runs warm, really likes the coats that have an outer shell with a removable fleece liner-Columbia makes nice ones. You can wear each piece separately, or zip them together for a complete jacket.
Be sure to give consideration to your shoes as well. Cold from the pavement works its way through the soles and your feet can get very uncomfortable. Sturdy walking shoes, preferably with Goretex to keep out the damp, and SmartWool socks (good for all seasons) make a great combination.

I second what Angela said. My hubby and I toured Europe in November. He was thrilled with his 3-in-1 jacket by Colombia. He would often just wear the outer shell or just the inner shell, but was glad he could wear them together if he needed. Just keep them all 3 together when on the plane and you won't have to worry about it taking up space in your luggage. My husband is not a scarf fan, much to my dismay. If you aren't either just be sure your jacket zips up above your neck and a hood is always a nice option. My hubby didn't live without his beanie either. You could also consider some light gloves. It may seem like overkill, but us Californians don't like to be too cold or too hot (I'm currently dying in Fresno right now).

Year round I pack an unlined rainshell, five shirts, three pants (or two pants, and athletic warm up pants), swim trunks (that can double as shorts) plus several pairs of uderwear and socks, and one warm layer (two in winter) usually a merino wool sweater (warm but not bulky). Everything is wrinkle free and quick-dry (so no cotton). For winter: I'll go with two warm layers and maybe up the level of warmth they provide while still trying to keep them from being bulky. In a pinch, I can wear both warm layers over a shirt with the rainshell over that - usually that's enough to be out in the snow. A pair of leather or fleece gloves (nothing bulky), a knit ski cap, and wool hiking type socks also make my winter packing list. If I know it's going to be cold, I also like packing silk long johns. They weigh nothing and take up no space but can add a lot of warmth. I usually don't pack a scarf but have purchased them at department stores in Europe when it's really cold, then brought them home as a souvenirs.

Keep in mind yours and your wife's tolerance to the cold. Brad has a good list, but he is from a colder climate than you are. I definitely recommend silk long underwear. I don't like the bottoms, so I use tights for extra warmth. I tried the layering thing that so many people recommend and frankly it didn't work so well for me. I would be okay(ish) outdoors, but every time we went inside to go to a museum or just to get out of the cold for awhile I felt like I was disrobing taking so many layers off. And then I had an armful of clothes to tote around! I decided that if I was to take another cold weather trip I would take a hooded down coat, either knee length or a little shorter. Then I would only have to take one thing off indoors. Don't forget warm socks, gloves, a scarf and a hat. If your worried about packing bulky clothes, winter is the one time I use compression bags. Wear your biggest, heaviest shoes and coat on the plane.

Jonathon, your plan to bring the waterproof shell jacket with fleece liner sounds good. I have been to Europe numerous times in the dead of winter. The specific locations you mentioned can be cold, snowy and rainy. I have been to these same spots at the same times you are going, and have found the jacket with zip in liner offers good versatility for changing weather conditions. And this still allows you to travel very light.