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Año Nuevo State Park Weather

Park • San Francisco Bay Area

About 20 miles north of Santa Cruz on Highway 1, Año Nuevo State Park spreads across a low coastal terrace and dune field. It holds one of the world's largest mainland breeding colonies of northern elephant seals. California State Parks runs it as a day-use park with no camping. Visits start at the Marine Education Center in a restored 19th-century dairy ranch. From there a 3 to 4 mile round-trip walk over sand leads to viewing areas that open and close with the seals.

58°
🙂
Comfort Score
81(B+)
Great
Typical for November · typical high 63°
Weather updated November 15, 2026 at 4:00 AM PST

Plan your week

10-Day Forecast

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  1. Today
    Nov 15
    64°53°
    Comfort
    51
    85%
    Rain 0.40 in
  2. Mon
    Nov 16
    57°49°
    Comfort
    46
    84%
    Rain 0.81 in
  3. Tue
    Nov 17
    59°52°
    Comfort
    57
    69%
    Rain 0.03 in
  4. Wed
    Nov 18
    59°55°
    Comfort
    38
    99%
    Rain 2.8 in
  5. Thu
    Nov 19
    59°56°
    Comfort
    41
    97%
    Rain 0.97 in
  6. Fri
    Nov 20
    60°54°
    Comfort
    71
    40%
    Rain 0.19 in
  7. Best day
    Sat
    Nov 21
    59°52°
    Comfort
    73
    33%
    Rain 0 in
  8. Sun
    Nov 22
    60°54°
    Comfort
    70
    38%
    Rain 0.13 in
  9. Mon
    Nov 23
    62°55°
    Comfort
    71
    41%
    Rain 0.07 in
  10. Tue
    Nov 24
    63°60°
    Comfort
    62
    58%
    Rain 0.45 in
See hiking scores for every trail this week →

Hour by hour

Hourly Forecast

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  1. Today
    Now
    58°
    Comfort
    81
    1%
    0 in
  2. Today
    5 AM
    57°
    Comfort
    81
    1%
    0 in
  3. Today
    6 AM
    57°
    Comfort
    79
    1%
    0 in
  4. Sunrise6:48 AM
  5. Today
    7 AM
    57°
    Comfort
    73
    1%
    0 in
  6. Today
    8 AM
    58°
    Comfort
    73
    1%
    0 in
  7. Today
    9 AM
    62°
    Comfort
    78
    2%
    0 in
  8. Today
    10 AM
    63°
    Comfort
    80
    2%
    0 in
  9. Today
    11 AM
    64°
    Comfort
    82
    2%
    0 in
  10. Today
    12 PM
    64°
    Comfort
    81
    2%
    0 in
  11. Today
    1 PM
    64°
    Comfort
    80
    4%
    0 in
  12. Today
    2 PM
    63°
    Comfort
    73
    17%
    0 in
  13. Today
    3 PM
    60°
    Comfort
    48
    28%
    0.04 in
  14. Today
    4 PM
    56°
    Comfort
    29
    47%
    0.14 in
  15. Sunset4:59 PM
  16. Today
    5 PM
    56°
    Comfort
    29
    77%
    0.15 in
  17. Today
    6 PM
    55°
    Comfort
    62
    82%
    0.01 in
  18. Today
    7 PM
    54°
    Comfort
    52
    73%
    0 in

Current Conditions

Temperature
58°F
Feels like 54°F
Humidity
77%
Dew point 51°F
Wind
9 mph
NW • Gusts 13 mph
Cloud Cover
100%
Mid-level clouds
Precip Chance
1%

Comfort Breakdown

Less comfortableMore comfortable
Thermal73
Wind99
Moisture100
Precipitation100

Año Nuevo State Park weather today and through the year

It's 58°F at Año Nuevo State Park right now (feels like 54°F), with 9 mph wind and a comfort score of 81. Monday's forecast high at Año Nuevo State Park is 57°F, 6°F below the mid November normal of 63°F. The best window today is 1 PM to 4 PM, at about 53°F with a 7 mph wind (comfort 59).

September is the warmest month at Año Nuevo State Park, with an average high of 72°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 43°F. December is the wettest month (6.3 in.), out of about 31.5 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Año Nuevo State Park are September, October, and August. The best hours are usually 8 AM to 11 AM in September, 8 AM to 11 AM in October, and 7 AM to 10 AM in August.

Año Nuevo is where the San Mateo coast makes its last push west before bending southeast toward Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay. The park sits flat and open on that corner. With no trees or hills on the coastal terrace, the northwest wind crosses it at full strength. From spring into summer, afternoon gusts drive sand across the trail to the viewing areas. Butano and Big Basin, a few miles inland, are much calmer.

Forecast updated November 15, 2026 at 4:00 AM PST. Climate figures come from NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Hourly patterns come from NOAA's HRRR hourly analysis from September 2014 to April 2026.

What to expect at Año Nuevo State Park in the next few days

Active National Weather Service alerts

  • High Surf Advisory until Tue 4:00 AM

Best time to go

The best window today is 1 PM to 4 PM, at about 53°F with a 7 mph wind (comfort 59).

Hiking conditions

Best hiking day this week: Friday, with 9 daylight hours that are dry, 45 to 80°F, and under 18 mph wind. 3 of the next 7 days have at least 4 such hours.

Best day this week

Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Año Nuevo State Park, with a 60°F high and midday comfort near 68. Thursday looks weakest (38).

Rain

Next good chance of rain: today (85%, about 0.40 in.).

Live weather map

Weather around Año Nuevo State Park right now

Overcast and 58° at Año Nuevo State Park right now.

Live weather map
About the live weather map for Año Nuevo State Park

The map centers on Año Nuevo State Park and stacks fog, satellite clouds, and precipitation radar on one view. Clouds come from the GOES-West satellite and rain from NOAA radar, and both show current conditions. Fog comes from our HRRR-based fog model, and the slider steps through its forecast for the next 12 hours.

Dots mark nearby places with their current temperature, colored by comfort score. Use the layer buttons to turn any layer off, or open the full map for every destination in the region.

Año Nuevo State Park vs nearby places

Typical summer conditions compared with Año Nuevo State Park, from the same NOAA HRRR hourly record. The list shows the closest places, then nearby places whose climate differs the most.

Summer climate at places near Año Nuevo State Park
PlaceDistanceSummer afternoonsMorning fogAfternoon windCompared with Año Nuevo State Park
Año Nuevo Point0.7 misame42%14 mphsame 3 km weather-model cell, so our hourly data cannot tell them apart
Butano State Park5.9 mi+9°F45%9 mphabout 9°F warmer on summer afternoons and calmer summer afternoons (9 vs 14 mph)
Big Basin Redwoods State Park6.9 mi+14°F38%8 mphabout 14°F warmer on summer afternoons and calmer summer afternoons (8 vs 14 mph)
Saratoga20 mi+26°F10%8 mphabout 26°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (10% vs 42% of morning hours)
Los Gatos22.2 mi+26°F8%8 mphabout 26°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (8% vs 42% of morning hours)
Campbell24.3 mi+26°F8%9 mphabout 26°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (8% vs 42% of morning hours)

Places with a climate like Año Nuevo State Park's

Climate Dashboard

Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline

Today's High vs Normal
64°Fforecast
1° above normal
Normal: 63°F
Rainfall Year-to-Date
16.8"
29% below average
30-yr avg: 23.5"
Sunny Days
22last 28 days
2 more than baseline
Recent baseline: 20
Foggy Days
3last 28 days
vs 7 recent baseline
Clearer than usual
Avg Wind Speed
11.7 mphlast 28 days
Typical conditions
Recent baseline: 10.7 mph
Comfort Score
8328-day avg
On par with typical
Recent baseline: 81
What the Año Nuevo State Park climate comparisons mean

These cards compare recent conditions at Año Nuevo State Park with the available local baseline. Temperature and year-to-date rainfall use long-term normals when available. Fog, sunshine, wind, and comfort use the matching recent or modeled baseline identified on each card.

Positive and negative differences describe how Año Nuevo State Park departs from its own usual pattern. They should not be read as a direct comparison with another city or as a forecast beyond the period shown.

Año Nuevo State Park weather by month

September is the warmest month at Año Nuevo State Park, with an average high of 72°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 43°F. December is the wettest month (6.3 in.), out of about 31.5 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in July, when fog or low cloud covers 46% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. November has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 23% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.

By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Año Nuevo State Park are September, October, and August. The best hours are usually 8 AM to 11 AM in September, 8 AM to 11 AM in October, and 7 AM to 10 AM in August.

Typical monthly weather at Año Nuevo State Park. Highs, lows, and precipitation: NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Fog, cloud, and wind: NOAA's HRRR hourly analysis from September 2014 to April 2026. Comfort is the average daytime score from the Año Nuevo State Park hourly climatology.
MonthAvg highAvg lowRainRainy daysMorning fogMidday cloudAfternoon windDaylightComfort
Jan59°F44°F6.0 in1011%33%11 mph9.9 h31
Feb59°F44°F6.3 in1011%29%13 mph10.8 h20
Mar61°F45°F4.7 in915%32%13 mph11.9 h43
Apr63°F46°F2.2 in619%34%14 mph13.1 h40
May65°F49°F0.8 in426%46%14 mph14.2 h41
Jun68°F51°F0.3 in237%45%15 mph14.7 h53
Jul70°F53°F0.0 in146%53%14 mph14.5 h60
Aug71°F54°F0.1 in142%48%14 mph13.5 h68
Sep72°F53°F0.1 in234%42%13 mph12.3 h73
Oct69°F50°F1.4 in521%30%12 mph11.1 h70
Nov63°F46°F3.2 in811%23%10 mph10.1 h63
Dec58°F43°F6.3 in1114%31%10 mph9.6 h36

Morning fog is the share of hours from 6 to 10 AM with fog or low cloud. Midday cloud is the average from 11 AM to 3 PM, and afternoon wind is the average from 1 to 5 PM. The highlighted rows are the most comfortable months.

In summer, recent daily NOAA readings at Año Nuevo State Park average about 6°F cooler than the 1991-2020 normals. The normals average over a wider area that also covers nearby terrain. Read the monthly highs as a rough range, and use the recent months below for what Año Nuevo State Park has actually seen.

What makes Año Nuevo State Park's weather different

Among the 58 San Francisco Bay Area parks we track, Año Nuevo State Park has the 2nd-cloudiest summer middays.

  • #2of 58

    cloudiest summer middaysamong San Francisco Bay Area parks

When the fog burns off

54%of 2 AM hours foggy in July

Fog or low cloud covers Año Nuevo State Park in 54% of 2 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 26% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. January mornings are the least foggy (11%).

When the wind picks up

noonwhen afternoon wind builds, January–November

From January through November, wind at Año Nuevo State Park typically builds after noon. In June it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 16 mph with 60% of those hours windy, while mornings average 10 mph.

Microclimate

+9°FButano State Park, 5.9 mi away, on summer afternoons

Butano State Park, 5.9 miles away, runs about 9°F warmer than Año Nuevo State Park on summer afternoons.

Elevation

+14°Fsummer afternoons at Big Basin Redwoods State Park, 1,150 ft up

Big Basin Redwoods State Park sits 1,150 ft higher, 6.9 miles away. Its summer highs average 14°F warmer and its winter lows 3°F colder than Año Nuevo State Park.

Model resolution

2 placesshare one 3 km NOAA HRRR grid cell

Año Nuevo State Park shares one 3 km grid cell in NOAA's HRRR model with Año Nuevo Point. The hourly fog, wind, cloud, and temperature patterns on this site are the same for both. Real differences between them come from hills, elevation, and wind exposure that the model cannot resolve.

Daylight

9.6–14.7 hof daylight, Dec to Jun

Days at Año Nuevo State Park range from about 9.6 hours in December to 14.7 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:30 PM, and in mid-December around 4:57 PM.

Seasons at Año Nuevo State Park

  • Warm seasonJul 8 – Oct 2 · highs 70°F+

    The warm season lasts about 2.9 months, from Jul 8 to Oct 2, when the average high is 70°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 72°F.

  • Cool seasonDec 3 – Feb 26 · highs 60°F or lower

    The cool season runs from Dec 3 to Feb 26, when the average high is 60°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Dec 8, with an average low near 43°F.

  • Rainy seasonOct 30 – Apr 18 · 89% of the year's rain

    The rainy season runs from Oct 30 to Apr 18, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 89% of the year's rain.

The dark line marks today. Season dates come from the smoothed daily NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Counting from Oct. 1, a typical year has its first inch of rain by Oct 22 and half of its annual total by Jan 25.

Days per year and extremes (Nov 1, 2024 to Oct 31, 2026)

This record runs from Nov 1, 2024 to Oct 31, 2026. Over this record, Año Nuevo State Park averaged no days at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 18 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 44 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 153 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.

In the same record, the hottest day was Sep 9, 2026 (87°F) and the coldest night was Jan 27, 2025 (40°F). The wettest day was Nov 14, 2025 (2.46 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 49 mph on Feb 4, 2025.

  • 0days at 90°F or hotter
  • 0nights at or below freezing
  • 18days with ½ in. of rain or more
  • 44afternoons with 20+ mph wind
  • 153mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
  • Hottest day87°FSep 9, 2026
  • Coldest night40°FJan 27, 2025
  • Wettest day2.46 inNov 14, 2025
  • Strongest 2 PM gust49 mphFeb 4, 2025

What shapes Año Nuevo State Park's weather

Año Nuevo's steady northwest winds push surface water away from shore and pull colder water up from below. Air crossing that cold water cools into fog and low cloud. That keeps summer days here cool and often gray even when Santa Clara Valley towns are in a heat wave.

Winter brings the seals ashore to breed just as Pacific storms arrive. Rain blows sideways across the open terrace, and the walk has no shelter between the visitor center and the dunes. A hooded shell works far better than an umbrella, which isn't allowed in the viewing areas anyway.

From late summer into fall the northwest winds ease, and the terrace gets calmer, clearer days than in spring and summer. That stretch lines up with the juvenile seals' haul-out season.

Tips for visiting Año Nuevo State Park

  • Get your permit before 3:30 p.m.

    From April through November, self-guided visits need a free permit from the entrance station. Permits are issued 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and none after that because the hike takes so long.

  • Book winter walks early

    From December to March you can only see the seals on a guided walk. Reserve a spot early through ReserveCalifornia, the state park booking site.

  • Dress for wind, rain and sun

    State Parks asks visitors to bring sturdy shoes, layers, water, and rain, wind and sun protection.

  • Allow about three hours

    The walk covers 3 to 4 miles round trip over moderate terrain and sand dunes, and most groups need 2.5 to 3 hours. You can't drive to the seals.

  • Leave dogs at home

    Pets aren't allowed in the park, and they can't be left in parked vehicles either.

  • Bring a hood, not an umbrella

    Equal Access seal tours run rain or shine and do not allow umbrellas, so pack hooded rain gear and a warm layer.

Año Nuevo State Park through the seasons

Spring (March–May)
Guided walks end in March and self-guided permit visits start in April. Females and juveniles molt in May, the season when the northwest wind is often strongest on the terrace.
Summer (June–August)
Juveniles keep molting into June and older males molt in July and August. Expect fog and a cold wind on many days.
Fall (September–November)
Fall is juvenile haul-out season, open by free permit through November. It often brings calmer, clearer weather than spring and summer.
Winter (December–February)
Winter is breeding season, and the seals can be seen only on guided walks. The viewing area closes from December 1 to 14, though Cove Beach stays open until sunset.

Activities and the weather that matters

  • Guided elephant seal walks: Guided walks run December through March, in the storm season. Dry days between storms are the most comfortable, but dress for rain regardless.
  • Self-guided seal hikes: Self-guided hikes run April through November with a free permit. Calm fall mornings are easiest, and spring afternoons can bring blowing sand.
  • Cove Beach: Cove Beach lies outside the seal viewing area and is open until sunset. Go on a light-wind day after the fog has lifted.
  • Marine Education Center: The exhibits, bookstore and theater in the old dairy ranch are the place to wait out a downpour or a cold wind.

Official sources and current conditions

Numbers on this page come from NOAA data. The text draws on the official sources linked above.

Historical Climate Data

Long-term weather patterns and climate data

Data sources: Recent temperatures come from NOAA URMA and recent precipitation from NOAA Stage IV. Fog, cloud, wind, humidity, and sunshine come from NOAA HRRR, and long-term baselines from NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.

Climate Overview

Based on NOAA 30-year temperature/rain normals (1991-2020) with recent fog/sun baseline

77
Avg Comfort
64.9°
Avg High
48°
Avg Low
45%
Perfect Days
☀️ Avg Sunshine (recent)8.1h/day
🌫️ Avg Fog (recent)2.4h/day
💧 Avg Annual Rain31.5"
🌧️ Rainy Days/yr68 (19%)
🌫️ Foggy Days/yr (recent)121
✨ Perfect Days (80+)327

🌟 Best Months to Visit

1. July68
70° / 53° · ☀️ 9.5h
19 foggy days · 1 rainy days
2. June67
68.4° / 50.5° · ☀️ 10h
20 foggy days · 2 rainy days
3. August67
71.1° / 53.8° · ☀️ 9h
22 foggy days · 1 rainy days

⚠️ Challenging Months

1. December39
58.3° / 43.4° · ☀️ 5.3h
💧 6.3" · 11 rainy days · 6 foggy days
2. February45
59.3° / 44.3° · ☀️ 6.3h
💧 6.3" · 10 rainy days · 5 foggy days
3. March50
61.2° / 44.8° · ☀️ 8.3h
💧 4.7" · 9 rainy days · 7 foggy days

Monthly Breakdown

MonthComfortHigh/Low☀️ Sun🌫️ Fog💧 RainPerfect
November 20247560.1° / 49.6°6.6h1d3.99"14
December 20246959.3° / 49.3°5.3h6d5.67"9
January 20258058.5° / 45.6°6.8h2d0.19"17
February 20257058.4° / 47°6.3h7d9.25"13
March 20257157.7° / 47.3°7.2h7d3.71"9
April 20257658.2° / 48.3°8.6h8d0.6"11
May 20257862° / 51.2°10h12d0.12"14
June 20257562° / 52.3°10.3h22d0"6
July 20257663° / 55.1°8.9h24d0"7
August 20257867.7° / 56.8°9.5h19d0"14
September 20257768.4° / 58.6°7.9h21d0.08"8
October 20258165.6° / 54.4°7.8h7d1.61"18
November 20257462° / 51.3°6.3h7d5.42"15
December 20257260.7° / 49.6°5.4h5d4.02"14
January 20267660.6° / 50°6.8h3d5.86"20
February 20267461.3° / 50.8°6.4h2d6"13
March 20268565.1° / 51°9.3h7d0.01"23
April 20267861.8° / 51.1°8.9h2d3.92"17
May 20267761.5° / 51.8°9.9h12d0.68"14
June 20267761.6° / 54.7°9.7h17d0"11
July 20267863.9° / 56.3°10.2h14d0"11
August 20267463.8° / 56.6°8.5h24d0.01"4
September 20268266.3° / 57.1°9.3h8d0.06"23
October 20268366.1° / 56.6°7.9h5d0.27"22
Last updated: 11/9/2026

Climate Trends

Average Temperature by Month

71°F64°F57°F50°F43°FNov '24Dec '24Jan '25Feb '25Mar '25Apr '25May '25Jun '25Jul '25Aug '25Sep '25Oct '25Nov '25Dec '25Jan '26Feb '26Mar '26Apr '26May '26Jun '26Jul '26Aug '26Sep '26Oct '26
Average High
Average Low
About the Año Nuevo State Park climate charts

The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Año Nuevo State Park, showing both the seasonal cycle and the typical day-to-night range. The comfort chart summarizes how often the combined weather pattern is favorable rather than judging temperature alone.

Precipitation shows the total recorded or modeled rainfall for each month at Año Nuevo State Park. Sunshine compares average bright-sky hours with the daylight available, while fog shows the average number of morning fog or low-cloud hours per day. Switch between the chart tabs to compare the same months across each measure.

Hourly Temperature, Fog, Wind, Cloud Cover, and Solar Radiation Patterns

Average local hour by month from 2014-09-30 to 2026-04-30

  • Temperature: At Año Nuevo State Park, the warmest typical hour is 6 PM in September (62°F). The coldest is 6 AM in February (52°F).
  • Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Año Nuevo State Park in 54% of 2 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 26% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. January mornings are the least foggy (11%).
  • Wind: From January through November, wind at Año Nuevo State Park typically builds after noon. In June it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 16 mph with 60% of those hours windy, while mornings average 10 mph.
  • Cloud Cover: November middays are the clearest at Año Nuevo State Park (23% average cloud cover), and July middays are the cloudiest (53%).
  • Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Año Nuevo State Park comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 854 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Año Nuevo State Park

This heatmap shows how average temperature at Año Nuevo State Park changes by hour and month. Read left to right for the seasons and top to bottom for the time of day. Warmer colors mark the usual afternoon peaks, and cooler colors show overnight and winter lows.

This heatmap shows when fog or low cloud is most likely at Año Nuevo State Park. Darker cells mark the months and hours when fog has been most common. They help separate overnight or morning fog from cloud that tends to linger into the afternoon.

This heatmap shows the typical hourly wind pattern at Año Nuevo State Park through the year. It makes recurring afternoon wind, calmer overnight periods, and seasonal changes easier to compare than a single daily wind value.

This heatmap shows average cloud cover at Año Nuevo State Park for every month and hour. Use it to see whether cloudiness is mainly an overnight and morning pattern or commonly persists during the part of the day you plan to visit.

This heatmap shows the average solar radiation reaching Año Nuevo State Park by month and hour. Brighter cells indicate the strongest typical sun, while muted cells can reflect nighttime, shorter winter days, cloud cover, smoke, or terrain shading.

Each cell combines one month with one local hour. Hover over or focus on a cell for its value and sample coverage. The red marker shows the current month and hour.

Loading interactive climate heatmaps…

How recent months compared at Año Nuevo State Park

  • October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Año Nuevo State Park averaged a high of 66°F, about the same as October 2025 (66°F).
  • Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 27.6 in. of rain to Año Nuevo State Park, 88% of the 31.5 in. normal.

Location Details

📍
Coordinates
37.1183, -122.3364
⛰️
Elevation
50 ft
🏷️
Type
Park
🏷️
Tags
#cool#foggy#wildlife#coastal

Año Nuevo State Park weather questions

Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Año Nuevo State Park

What is the weather like at Año Nuevo State Park today?

It's 58°F at Año Nuevo State Park right now, with a comfort score of 81 (great). Monday's forecast high at Año Nuevo State Park is 57°F, 6°F below the mid November normal of 63°F. The best window today is 1 PM to 4 PM, at about 53°F with a 7 mph wind (comfort 59).

What is the best month to visit Año Nuevo State Park?

By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Año Nuevo State Park are September, October, and August. The best hours are usually 8 AM to 11 AM in September, 8 AM to 11 AM in October, and 7 AM to 10 AM in August. The warm season lasts about 2.9 months, from Jul 8 to Oct 2, when the average high is 70°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 72°F.

What are the warmest and coldest months at Año Nuevo State Park?

September is the warmest month at Año Nuevo State Park, with an average high of 72°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 43°F.

When does the fog burn off at Año Nuevo State Park?

Fog or low cloud covers Año Nuevo State Park in 54% of 2 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 26% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. January mornings are the least foggy (11%).

When is it windiest at Año Nuevo State Park?

From January through November, wind at Año Nuevo State Park typically builds after noon. In June it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 16 mph with 60% of those hours windy, while mornings average 10 mph.

How much rain does Año Nuevo State Park get?

December is the wettest month (6.3 in.), out of about 31.5 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Oct 30 to Apr 18, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 89% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 27.6 in. of rain to Año Nuevo State Park, 88% of the 31.5 in. normal.

How does Año Nuevo State Park weather compare with Butano State Park?

Butano State Park, 5.9 miles away, runs about 9°F warmer than Año Nuevo State Park on summer afternoons.

Can you see elephant seals at Año Nuevo all year?

Seals are on the beaches through most of the year, but how you visit depends on the season. From December to March you need a guided walk, and from April through November you hike on your own with a free permit. The viewing area closes December 1 to 14, and any viewing area stays closed when seals block its trail.

What kind of place is Año Nuevo State Park?

About 20 miles north of Santa Cruz on Highway 1, Año Nuevo State Park spreads across a low coastal terrace and dune field. It holds one of the world's largest mainland breeding colonies of northern elephant seals. California State Parks runs it as a day-use park with no camping. Visits start at the Marine Education Center in a restored 19th-century dairy ranch. From there a 3 to 4 mile round-trip walk over sand leads to viewing areas that open and close with the seals.

What is Año Nuevo State Park weather like in November?

November at Año Nuevo State Park averages a high of 63°F and a low of 46°F, with 3.2 in. of rain over about 8 rainy days. About 11% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 10 mph.

💡 Local Tip: San Francisco Bay Area weather can change dramatically within short distances and throughout the day. Always check current conditions before visiting Año Nuevo State Park.

Data sources and methods

  • Monthly temperatures and precipitation: NOAA 1991-2020 normals.
  • Fog, cloud, wind, sun, and comfort by hour and month: NOAA's HRRR hourly analysis from September 2014 to April 2026.
  • Daily records and recent months: NOAA URMA and HRRR analyses, plus NOAA Stage IV precipitation.
  • Nearby comparisons and regional rankings use the same hourly HRRR summaries for every destination in the region.
  • Alerts: National Weather Service. Tides and ocean temperature: NOAA CO-OPS, where shown.
  • All statements on this page are computed from these datasets, apart from the “What shapes the weather” guide, which cites its sources inline.
  • California State Parks, Año Nuevo State Park (accessed 2026-10-27)
  • California State Parks, Año Nuevo Equal Access Tours (accessed 2026-10-27)

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