Bonny Doon Weather
Town • San Francisco Bay Area
Bonny Doon is a rural community with no real town center. It spreads across about 20 square miles of ridges and canyons on the seaward side of Ben Lomond Mountain. Bonny Doon Road climbs to it from Highway 1 near Davenport, and Empire Grade climbs from Santa Cruz. Homes sit on two- and three-acre lots among redwoods, chaparral and ponderosa pine, and the 552-acre Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve protects some of that mix. It sits higher and is far less built up than the San Lorenzo Valley towns to the east.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Bonny Doon weather today and through the year
It's 52°F at Bonny Doon right now (feels like 48°F), with 6 mph wind and a comfort score of 76. Today's forecast high at Bonny Doon is 58°F, 6°F below the mid November normal of 64°F. No fog in the forecast for today at Bonny Doon. In November, 15% of morning hours here are foggy on average. The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 51°F with a 11 mph wind (comfort 56).
August is the warmest month at Bonny Doon, with an average high of 79°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 40°F. January is the wettest month (7.7 in.), out of about 38.8 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Bonny Doon are September, August, and July. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in September, 11 AM to 2 PM in August, and noon to 3 PM in July.
Bonny Doon sits around 1,300 feet up on the ocean-facing slopes of Ben Lomond Mountain, close to where the summer marine layer tops out. That layer is the sheet of cool, damp ocean air that brings coastal fog. Where its top meets the slope, summer mornings are often wrapped in low cloud, more often than at Davenport on the coast below. The cloud usually thins by noon, and higher ridgetops along Empire Grade can break into sun first, so conditions change quickly as you drive up or down.
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 Bonny Doon in the next few days
No active National Weather Service alerts for this location.
Fog
No fog in the forecast for today at Bonny Doon. In November, 15% of morning hours here are foggy on average.
Best time to go
The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 51°F with a 11 mph wind (comfort 56).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Bonny Doon, with a 55°F high and midday comfort near 66. Thursday looks weakest (45).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (81%, about 0.24 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Bonny Doon right now
Overcast and 52° at Bonny Doon right now.
About the live weather map for Bonny Doon
The map centers on Bonny Doon 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.
Nearby Temperature Comparison
Conditions at nearby San Francisco Bay Area destinations
Tip: Bay Area temperatures can change by 20 to 30°F over a short distance because of microclimates.
Bonny Doon vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Bonny Doon, from the same NOAA HRRR hourly record. The list shows the closest places, then nearby places whose climate differs the most.
| Place | Distance | Summer afternoons | Morning fog | Afternoon wind | Compared with Bonny Doon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport | 3 mi | -6°F | 43% | 12 mph | about 6°F cooler on summer afternoons and windier summer afternoons (12 vs 8 mph) |
| Boulder Creek | 5.8 mi | +11°F | 13% | 8 mph | less summer morning fog (13% vs 56% of morning hours) and about 11°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| Scotts Valley | 7.5 mi | +6°F | 46% | 7 mph | about 6°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (46% vs 56% of morning hours) |
| Almaden Quicksilver County Park | 19.8 mi | +15°F | 7% | 9 mph | less summer morning fog (7% vs 56% of morning hours) and about 15°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| Campbell | 20.1 mi | +13°F | 8% | 9 mph | less summer morning fog (8% vs 56% of morning hours) and about 13°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| Almaden Valley | 20.7 mi | +14°F | 7% | 9 mph | less summer morning fog (7% vs 56% of morning hours) and about 14°F warmer on summer afternoons |
Places with a climate like Bonny Doon's
- Purisima Creek Redwoods (28 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Claremont District (56 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- La Honda (20 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Bonny Doon climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Bonny Doon 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 Bonny Doon 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.
Bonny Doon weather by month
August is the warmest month at Bonny Doon, with an average high of 79°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 40°F. January is the wettest month (7.7 in.), out of about 38.8 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in July, when fog or low cloud covers 62% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. October has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 21% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Bonny Doon are September, August, and July. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in September, 11 AM to 2 PM in August, and noon to 3 PM in July.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 58°F | 41°F | 7.7 in | 12 | 17% | 32% | 6 mph | 9.9 h | 38 |
| Feb | 58°F | 41°F | 7.5 in | 12 | 17% | 30% | 7 mph | 10.8 h | 38 |
| Mar | 61°F | 41°F | 5.9 in | 10 | 19% | 35% | 8 mph | 11.9 h | 41 |
| Apr | 64°F | 42°F | 2.7 in | 7 | 33% | 34% | 9 mph | 13.1 h | 62 |
| May | 68°F | 45°F | 1.1 in | 4 | 46% | 37% | 9 mph | 14.2 h | 70 |
| Jun | 74°F | 48°F | 0.3 in | 2 | 50% | 30% | 9 mph | 14.7 h | 83 |
| Jul | 78°F | 52°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 62% | 27% | 8 mph | 14.4 h | 88 |
| Aug | 79°F | 53°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 57% | 27% | 8 mph | 13.5 h | 90 |
| Sep | 79°F | 53°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 47% | 28% | 8 mph | 12.3 h | 91 |
| Oct | 73°F | 49°F | 1.7 in | 6 | 26% | 21% | 7 mph | 11.1 h | 85 |
| Nov | 64°F | 43°F | 3.9 in | 8 | 15% | 21% | 6 mph | 10.1 h | 69 |
| Dec | 58°F | 40°F | 7.7 in | 12 | 19% | 32% | 6 mph | 9.6 h | 38 |
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.
What makes Bonny Doon's weather different
When the fog burns off
noonwhen July fog usually thins (72% foggy at 6 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers Bonny Doon in 72% of 6 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by noon. November mornings are the least foggy (15%).
When the wind picks up
1 PMwhen afternoon wind builds, April–September
From April through September, wind at Bonny Doon typically builds after 1 PM. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 10 mph with 6% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
Microclimate
+11°FBoulder Creek, 5.8 mi away, on summer afternoons
Boulder Creek, 5.8 miles away, runs about 11°F warmer than Bonny Doon on summer afternoons. It also has far less summer morning fog, 13% of morning hours compared with 56%.
Elevation
−6°Fsummer afternoons at Davenport, 1,031 ft down
Davenport sits 1,031 ft lower, 3 miles away. Its summer highs average 6°F cooler and its winter lows 3°F milder than Bonny Doon.
Daylight
9.6–14.7 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Bonny Doon 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 Bonny Doon
- Warm seasonJul 2 – Sep 29 · highs 76°F+
The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jul 2 to Sep 29, when the average high is 76°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 79°F.
- Cool seasonDec 3 – Mar 1 · highs 60°F or lower
The cool season runs from Dec 3 to Mar 1, when the average high is 60°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Dec 8, with an average low near 40°F.
- Rainy seasonOct 23 – Apr 25 · 92% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Oct 23 to Apr 25, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 92% 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 18 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, Bonny Doon averaged 8 days a year at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 25 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 1 afternoon with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 143 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Sep 9, 2026 (96°F) and the coldest night was Feb 18, 2026 (35°F). The wettest day was Nov 14, 2025 (4.12 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 47 mph on Feb 4, 2025.
- 8days at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 25days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 1afternoon with 20+ mph wind
- 143mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day96°FSep 9, 2026
- Coldest night35°FFeb 18, 2026
- Wettest day4.12 inNov 14, 2025
- Strongest 2 PM gust47 mphFeb 4, 2025
What shapes Bonny Doon's weather
Ben Lomond Mountain faces the Pacific head-on, so winter storms are forced upward over Bonny Doon. The slopes wring out more rain than falls on Santa Cruz or Davenport on the coast below. Storm days often leave the ridge roads wrapped in cloud long after the coast has cleared.
Sunny, dry summer and fall afternoons, combined with dense brush and timber, give Bonny Doon real wildfire exposure. The 2020 CZU Lightning Complex began when an August lightning storm set fires in the remote terrain of Ben Lomond Mountain and nearby ridges. Bonny Doon was among the communities hit hardest.
Tips for visiting Bonny Doon
Hike the Ecological Reserve
The 552-acre reserve has ponderosa pine, redwood, and chaparral. From Highway 1, take Bonny Doon Road, turn right on Martin Road, and park near the fire station.
Respect that it's a neighborhood
Most of Bonny Doon is homes on two- and three-acre lots, and residents work hard to keep it rural. Stay on public land and roads.
Take fire weather seriously
The 2020 CZU Lightning Complex burned more than 86,000 acres in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties and destroyed nearly 1,500 structures. On hot, dry or windy days, avoid anything that throws sparks, and know your way out by Bonny Doon Road or Empire Grade.
Drive the grades slowly in fog
Bonny Doon Road and Empire Grade climb in and out of the marine layer, so visibility can drop suddenly on the way up from the coast.
Bonny Doon through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- The last storms taper off and the slopes stay green. Lower parts of the community may start the day in fog while the ridges are clear.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer mornings are often wrapped in low cloud that clears by early afternoon, and afternoons run warmer than on the coast. The brush dries out steadily, and fire danger climbs through the season.
- Fall (September–November)
- Fall brings peak fire weather before the rains arrive. The CZU fire began in August 2020, and the response ran for 39 days, into late September.
- Winter (December–February)
- Winter is the wet season, with heavier rain on these windward slopes than on the coast and cloud often sitting on the ridge roads.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Hiking the Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve: Best on mild, clear days in spring and fall. Sunny summer afternoons above the fog can be warm, and winter rain leaves trails soft.
- Scenic drives between coast and ridge: On many summer fog days, the drive up Bonny Doon Road from Highway 1 starts on the gray coast. It climbs up through the cloud and into sunshine on the ridge.
- Wildlife viewing at the Ecological Reserve: The reserve's mix of redwood, ponderosa pine, and chaparral shelters black-tailed deer, bobcat, and coyote. Dry, clear days make for easier walking and better viewing.
Official sources and current conditions
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife: Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve
- CAL FIRE: CZU Lightning Complex incident page
- Santa Cruz County: Fire recovery
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
🌟 Best Months to Visit
⚠️ Challenging Months
Monthly Breakdown
| Month | Comfort | High/Low | ☀️ Sun | 🌫️ Fog | 💧 Rain | Perfect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 2024 | 77 | 57.8° / 48.6° | 6.5h | 2d | 4.92" | 18 |
| December 2024 | 72 | 59.7° / 50.4° | 5.2h | 9d | 8.17" | 15 |
| January 2025 | 80 | 57.1° / 46.6° | 6.5h | 4d | 0.38" | 19 |
| February 2025 | 72 | 56.6° / 46.6° | 6.4h | 7d | 13.02" | 13 |
| March 2025 | 71 | 54.7° / 43.9° | 7h | 8d | 4.89" | 15 |
| April 2025 | 79 | 59.4° / 45.1° | 9.1h | 15d | 0.84" | 17 |
| May 2025 | 86 | 68.5° / 49.1° | 11.4h | 12d | 0.19" | 22 |
| June 2025 | 88 | 70° / 52.4° | 12.3h | 14d | 0" | 23 |
| July 2025 | 86 | 70.3° / 52.4° | 11.6h | 19d | 0.04" | 26 |
| August 2025 | 90 | 79.2° / 58.2° | 11.3h | 9d | 0" | 29 |
| September 2025 | 85 | 73.3° / 58° | 8.9h | 14d | 0.14" | 23 |
| October 2025 | 85 | 66.1° / 53.7° | 7.9h | 9d | 2.79" | 23 |
| November 2025 | 78 | 63.6° / 52.9° | 6.4h | 7d | 8.24" | 18 |
| December 2025 | 74 | 62.2° / 52.9° | 5.4h | 7d | 5.06" | 18 |
| January 2026 | 79 | 61.9° / 53° | 6.3h | 5d | 9.32" | 21 |
| February 2026 | 73 | 60.1° / 50.3° | 6.7h | 5d | 9.15" | 16 |
| March 2026 | 92 | 72.9° / 58.4° | 9.7h | 3d | 0.06" | 28 |
| April 2026 | 79 | 60.6° / 48.4° | 8.6h | 8d | 5.97" | 19 |
| May 2026 | 86 | 65.6° / 50° | 11.1h | 10d | 0.85" | 24 |
| June 2026 | 84 | 69.4° / 51.8° | 11h | 17d | 0" | 26 |
| July 2026 | 88 | 76.5° / 56.8° | 11.4h | 12d | 0" | 27 |
| August 2026 | 86 | 76.4° / 57.5° | 10.5h | 15d | 0" | 27 |
| September 2026 | 90 | 73.6° / 56.5° | 9.9h | 6d | 0.17" | 28 |
| October 2026 | 88 | 72.6° / 58.5° | 8.3h | 3d | 0.77" | 27 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Bonny Doon climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Bonny Doon, 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 Bonny Doon. 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 Bonny Doon, the warmest typical hour is 4 PM in August (73°F). The coldest is 7 AM in February (47°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Bonny Doon in 72% of 6 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by noon. November mornings are the least foggy (15%).
- Wind: From April through September, wind at Bonny Doon typically builds after 1 PM. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 10 mph with 6% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
- Cloud Cover: October middays are the clearest at Bonny Doon (21% average cloud cover), and May middays are the cloudiest (37%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Bonny Doon comes at 1 PM in July, averaging 932 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Bonny Doon
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Bonny Doon 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 Bonny Doon. 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 Bonny Doon 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 Bonny Doon 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 Bonny Doon 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.
How recent months compared at Bonny Doon
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Bonny Doon averaged a high of 73°F, 6°F warmer than October 2025 (66°F).
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 41.6 in. of rain to Bonny Doon, 107% of the 38.8 in. normal.
Location Details
Bonny Doon weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Bonny Doon
What is the weather like at Bonny Doon today?
It's 52°F at Bonny Doon right now, with a comfort score of 76 (great). Today's forecast high at Bonny Doon is 58°F, 6°F below the mid November normal of 64°F. The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 51°F with a 11 mph wind (comfort 56).
What is the best month to visit Bonny Doon?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Bonny Doon are September, August, and July. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in September, 11 AM to 2 PM in August, and noon to 3 PM in July. The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jul 2 to Sep 29, when the average high is 76°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 79°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Bonny Doon?
August is the warmest month at Bonny Doon, with an average high of 79°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 40°F.
When does the fog burn off at Bonny Doon?
Fog or low cloud covers Bonny Doon in 72% of 6 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by noon. November mornings are the least foggy (15%).
When is it windiest at Bonny Doon?
From April through September, wind at Bonny Doon typically builds after 1 PM. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 10 mph with 6% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
How much rain does Bonny Doon get?
January is the wettest month (7.7 in.), out of about 38.8 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Oct 23 to Apr 25, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 92% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 41.6 in. of rain to Bonny Doon, 107% of the 38.8 in. normal.
How does Bonny Doon weather compare with Boulder Creek?
Boulder Creek, 5.8 miles away, runs about 11°F warmer than Bonny Doon on summer afternoons. It also has far less summer morning fog, 13% of morning hours compared with 56%.
What kind of place is Bonny Doon?
Bonny Doon is a rural community with no real town center. It spreads across about 20 square miles of ridges and canyons on the seaward side of Ben Lomond Mountain. Bonny Doon Road climbs to it from Highway 1 near Davenport, and Empire Grade climbs from Santa Cruz. Homes sit on two- and three-acre lots among redwoods, chaparral and ponderosa pine, and the 552-acre Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve protects some of that mix. It sits higher and is far less built up than the San Lorenzo Valley towns to the east.
What is Bonny Doon weather like in November?
November at Bonny Doon averages a high of 64°F and a low of 43°F, with 3.9 in. of rain over about 8 rainy days. About 15% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 6 mph.
More about Bonny Doon weather
Guides that explain the weather here and nearby
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 Department of Fish and Wildlife, Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Good Times Santa Cruz, Doon From the Start (accessed 2026-10-27)
- CAL FIRE, CZU Lightning Complex (including Warnella Fire) (accessed 2026-10-27)
- County of Santa Cruz, 2020 CZU Lightning Complex After-Action Report (accessed 2026-10-27)
Rendered 2026-11-15T12:16:25.139Z.