China Camp State Park Weather
Park • San Francisco Bay Area
China Camp covers about 1,500 acres of oak woodland, ridge and tidal salt marsh on the San Pablo Bay side of the San Rafael peninsula. North San Pedro Road reaches it from downtown San Rafael to the west. Its namesake is a historic Chinese shrimp-fishing village on the shore, with a small museum, a sandy beach, and a weekend snack shop. The nonprofit Friends of China Camp has run the state park since 2012. Its marshes are part of the San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.
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10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
China Camp State Park weather today and through the year
It's 57°F at China Camp State Park right now (feels like 53°F), with 11 mph wind and a comfort score of 78. Monday's forecast high at China Camp State Park is 56°F, 6°F below the mid November normal of 62°F. No fog in the forecast for today at China Camp State Park. In November, 27% of morning hours here are foggy on average. The best window today is 9 AM to noon, at about 53°F with a 4 mph wind (comfort 57).
September is the warmest month at China Camp State Park, with an average high of 73°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 43°F. December is the wettest month (6.4 in.), out of about 30.2 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at China Camp State Park are September, July, and August. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in September, noon to 3 PM in July, and 11 AM to 2 PM in August.
China Camp faces northeast onto San Pablo Bay, with San Pedro Ridge rising behind it to the southwest. The ridge stands between the park and the gaps where summer fog pushes in from the Golden Gate and Richardson Bay. Summer mornings here are gray far less often than near the Golden Gate, and about as often as in downtown San Rafael. State Parks says the park averages more than 200 fog-free days a year.
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 China Camp State Park in the next few days
No active National Weather Service alerts for this location.
Fog
No fog in the forecast for today at China Camp State Park. In November, 27% of morning hours here are foggy on average.
Best time to go
The best window today is 9 AM to noon, at about 53°F with a 4 mph wind (comfort 57).
Hiking conditions
Best hiking day this week: Monday, with 9 daylight hours that are dry, 45 to 80°F, and under 18 mph wind. 4 of the next 7 days have at least 4 such hours.
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for China Camp State Park, with a 61°F high and midday comfort near 75. Today looks weakest (49).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (79%, about 0.47 in.).
Ocean water
62°F at the Richmond (San Francisco Bay) NOAA station. NOAA data
Live weather map
Weather around China Camp State Park right now
Overcast and 57° at China Camp State Park right now.
About the live weather map for China Camp State Park
The map centers on China Camp 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.
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.
China Camp State Park vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with China Camp State Park, 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 China Camp State Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Rafael | 3.1 mi | +2°F | 17% | 7 mph | a very similar climate |
| San Anselmo | 4.4 mi | +3°F | 16% | 8 mph | a very similar climate |
| Ross | 4.6 mi | +3°F | 17% | 7 mph | a very similar climate |
| Rodeo Beach | 12.1 mi | -20°F | 48% | 13 mph | about 20°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (48% vs 20% of morning hours) |
| Baker Beach | 14.5 mi | -20°F | 45% | 16 mph | about 20°F cooler on summer afternoons and windier summer afternoons (16 vs 8 mph) |
| Ocean Beach | 16.9 mi | -20°F | 49% | 11 mph | about 20°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (49% vs 20% of morning hours) |
Places with a climate like China Camp State Park's
- Visitacion Valley (21 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Mission District (17 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Potrero Hill (18 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the China Camp State Park climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at China Camp 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 China Camp 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.
China Camp State Park weather by month
September is the warmest month at China Camp State Park, with an average high of 73°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 43°F. December is the wettest month (6.4 in.), out of about 30.2 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in December, when fog or low cloud covers 39% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. July has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 11% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at China Camp State Park are September, July, and August. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in September, noon to 3 PM in July, and 11 AM to 2 PM in August.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 56°F | 43°F | 6.0 in | 10 | 36% | 36% | 6 mph | 9.8 h | 35 |
| Feb | 59°F | 45°F | 5.9 in | 10 | 20% | 27% | 7 mph | 10.7 h | 43 |
| Mar | 62°F | 46°F | 4.2 in | 9 | 19% | 30% | 7 mph | 11.9 h | 62 |
| Apr | 64°F | 48°F | 1.9 in | 6 | 14% | 24% | 8 mph | 13.2 h | 73 |
| May | 67°F | 51°F | 0.9 in | 4 | 14% | 22% | 9 mph | 14.2 h | 78 |
| Jun | 72°F | 53°F | 0.2 in | 2 | 13% | 11% | 8 mph | 14.8 h | 85 |
| Jul | 72°F | 54°F | 0.0 in | 0 | 22% | 11% | 7 mph | 14.5 h | 87 |
| Aug | 73°F | 55°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 25% | 12% | 7 mph | 13.6 h | 87 |
| Sep | 73°F | 55°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 19% | 14% | 7 mph | 12.3 h | 91 |
| Oct | 70°F | 52°F | 1.4 in | 5 | 20% | 18% | 6 mph | 11.1 h | 84 |
| Nov | 62°F | 48°F | 3.1 in | 8 | 27% | 24% | 5 mph | 10.0 h | 66 |
| Dec | 56°F | 44°F | 6.4 in | 11 | 39% | 40% | 6 mph | 9.5 h | 33 |
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 China Camp State Park average about 7°F warmer 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 China Camp State Park has actually seen.
What makes China Camp State Park's weather different
When the fog burns off
3 PMwhen December fog usually thins (44% foggy at 8 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers China Camp State Park in 44% of 8 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 3 PM, but 15% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. June mornings are the least foggy (13%).
When the wind picks up
noonwhen afternoon wind builds, March–September
From March through September, wind at China Camp State Park typically builds after noon. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 10 mph with 7% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
Daylight
9.5–14.8 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at China Camp State Park range from about 9.5 hours in December to 14.8 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:34 PM, and in mid-December around 4:55 PM.
Seasons at China Camp State Park
- Warm seasonJul 8 – Sep 29 · highs 72°F+
The warm season lasts about 2.8 months, from Jul 8 to Sep 29, when the average high is 72°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 73°F.
- Cool seasonNov 29 – Feb 24 · highs 60°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 29 to Feb 24, when the average high is 60°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Jan 8, with an average low near 43°F.
- Rainy seasonOct 30 – Apr 12 · 88% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Oct 30 to Apr 12, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 88% 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 23 and half of its annual total by Jan 22.
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, China Camp State Park averaged 14 days a year at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 20 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 2 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 103 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Sep 9, 2026 (100°F) and the coldest night was Feb 10, 2025 (35°F). The wettest day was Nov 23, 2024 (2.45 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 45 mph on Feb 4, 2025.
- 14days at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 20days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 2afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 103mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day100°FSep 9, 2026
- Coldest night35°FFeb 10, 2025
- Wettest day2.45 inNov 23, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust45 mphFeb 4, 2025
What shapes China Camp State Park's weather
San Pablo Bay in front of China Camp is broad and shallow, and on summer afternoons the sea breeze crosses miles of open water to reach the shore. That makes the shoreline breezy and good for windsurfing. It also keeps the beach at China Camp Village cooler than the trails up on the ridge. There, sunny grassland on the south-facing slopes heats up far more than the shaded oak and bay woodland on the north-facing ones.
The park's low ground is shaped by the tides. North San Pedro Road, the only road in and out, crosses the marsh at nearly bay level. The highest winter tides and heavy rain can put it under water. Winter is otherwise mild here, and the ridge trails can turn muddy and slick after storms.
Tips for visiting China Camp State Park
Watch for king tides on the road
King tides, the highest tides of the year, quickly cover North San Pedro Road, the only vehicle access in and out of the park. Heavy winter rain can make the flooding worse.
Launch paddlecraft on the right tide
State Parks says small boats can launch at Bullhead Flat and lower China Camp Village, but access at both depends on the tide.
Hours run 8 a.m. to sunset
The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. The Back Ranch Meadows campground gate is open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Leave the dog home for hikes
State Parks allows leashed dogs only in developed areas such as the campground and picnic areas, not on trails, dirt roads, or in the backcountry.
Camp in the oaks at Back Ranch Meadows
Back Ranch Meadows has 33 tent-only sites in oak and bay forest, each with a fire ring and grill, plus hot showers.
China Camp State Park through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Spring brings green meadows, running creeks, mild days and the start of the afternoon bay breeze. Trails dry out from April on.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer is usually sunny while fog sits over the Golden Gate side of Marin. State Parks describes summers here ranging from the 70s into the 90s °F, so start ridge hikes early.
- Fall (September–October)
- Fall is warm and mostly clear, with lighter wind on the bay. The dry grass on the ridge makes this the season to watch for fire restrictions.
- Winter (November–February)
- Winter is mild by Bay Area standards, and State Parks puts winter days in the 50s °F. King tides and storms can flood North San Pedro Road.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Mountain biking and hiking: About 15 miles of trails are shared by riders and hikers. They are best on dry spring and fall days, because summer afternoons are hot on the open slopes and winter rain leaves them muddy.
- Kayaking and paddleboarding: Bullhead Flat's small tidal beach is the launch for kayaks, canoes and paddleboards, and motorized craft are not allowed. Go with a high enough tide and calm morning wind, because afternoon breezes on San Pablo Bay make the return harder.
- Windsurfing: State Parks lists windsurfing among the park's activities, and the afternoon sea breeze across the bay is the engine for it.
- Swimming at China Camp Village: Swim on warm, calm summer and early fall afternoons near high tide, when the water covers the shallow mudflats.
Official sources and current conditions
- California State Parks: China Camp State Park
- Friends of China Camp
- Friends of China Camp: Sea-level rise and N. San Pedro Road
- NOAA water temperature: Richmond (San Francisco Bay)
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 | 78 | 62.2° / 46.9° | 6.4h | 8d | 6.01" | 17 |
| December 2024 | 67 | 57.4° / 46.4° | 5h | 15d | 7.32" | 10 |
| January 2025 | 81 | 58.9° / 42.4° | 6.9h | 8d | 0.26" | 20 |
| February 2025 | 73 | 59.9° / 44.4° | 6.4h | 8d | 8.93" | 13 |
| March 2025 | 80 | 61.1° / 45.7° | 8.2h | 6d | 2.37" | 18 |
| April 2025 | 90 | 67.2° / 47.6° | 10.1h | 3d | 0.26" | 28 |
| May 2025 | 95 | 74.5° / 51.8° | 12.3h | 0d | 0.13" | 31 |
| June 2025 | 95 | 76.8° / 53.1° | 12.6h | 1d | 0" | 30 |
| July 2025 | 94 | 77° / 55.2° | 12h | 5d | 0" | 31 |
| August 2025 | 93 | 83.8° / 57.6° | 11.6h | 1d | 0" | 31 |
| September 2025 | 91 | 79.6° / 59.5° | 9.8h | 1d | 0.18" | 27 |
| October 2025 | 87 | 71.5° / 53.4° | 8h | 6d | 1.02" | 26 |
| November 2025 | 75 | 62.9° / 50.6° | 6.2h | 12d | 3.72" | 11 |
| December 2025 | 59 | 53.2° / 45.9° | 4.4h | 22d | 5.36" | 2 |
| January 2026 | 74 | 58.7° / 45.7° | 6.2h | 10d | 5.19" | 19 |
| February 2026 | 75 | 62.1° / 47.2° | 6.3h | 5d | 5.64" | 14 |
| March 2026 | 95 | 75.8° / 52.1° | 9.7h | 1d | 0.04" | 30 |
| April 2026 | 86 | 67.5° / 49.4° | 9.2h | 5d | 3.49" | 23 |
| May 2026 | 91 | 72.3° / 52.7° | 11.5h | 8d | 0.77" | 29 |
| June 2026 | 94 | 78.3° / 55.5° | 12.7h | 4d | 0" | 30 |
| July 2026 | 93 | 80.1° / 56.7° | 11.7h | 1d | 0" | 31 |
| August 2026 | 92 | 79.6° / 56.6° | 11.1h | 4d | 0" | 31 |
| September 2026 | 92 | 78.7° / 56.1° | 10h | 3d | 0.21" | 28 |
| October 2026 | 91 | 76.9° / 52.4° | 8.5h | 2d | 0.22" | 29 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the China Camp State Park climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at China Camp 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 China Camp 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 China Camp State Park, the warmest typical hour is 4 PM in August (79°F). The coldest is 7 AM in February (45°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers China Camp State Park in 44% of 8 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 3 PM, but 15% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. June mornings are the least foggy (13%).
- Wind: From March through September, wind at China Camp State Park typically builds after noon. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 10 mph with 7% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
- Cloud Cover: July middays are the clearest at China Camp State Park (11% average cloud cover), and December middays are the cloudiest (40%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at China Camp State Park comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 988 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for China Camp State Park
This heatmap shows how average temperature at China Camp 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 China Camp 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 China Camp 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 China Camp 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 China Camp 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.
How recent months compared at China Camp State Park
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at China Camp State Park averaged a high of 77°F, 7°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 70°F. It brought 0.22 in. of rain, compared with a normal of 1.37 in.
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 25.4 in. of rain to China Camp State Park, 84% of the 30.2 in. normal.
Location Details
China Camp State Park weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting China Camp State Park
What is the weather like at China Camp State Park today?
It's 57°F at China Camp State Park right now, with a comfort score of 78 (great). Monday's forecast high at China Camp State Park is 56°F, 6°F below the mid November normal of 62°F. The best window today is 9 AM to noon, at about 53°F with a 4 mph wind (comfort 57).
What is the best month to visit China Camp State Park?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at China Camp State Park are September, July, and August. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in September, noon to 3 PM in July, and 11 AM to 2 PM in August. The warm season lasts about 2.8 months, from Jul 8 to Sep 29, when the average high is 72°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 73°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at China Camp State Park?
September is the warmest month at China Camp State Park, with an average high of 73°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 43°F.
When does the fog burn off at China Camp State Park?
Fog or low cloud covers China Camp State Park in 44% of 8 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 3 PM, but 15% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. June mornings are the least foggy (13%).
When is it windiest at China Camp State Park?
From March through September, wind at China Camp State Park typically builds after noon. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 10 mph with 7% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
How much rain does China Camp State Park get?
December is the wettest month (6.4 in.), out of about 30.2 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Oct 30 to Apr 12, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 88% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 25.4 in. of rain to China Camp State Park, 84% of the 30.2 in. normal.
Can you swim at China Camp?
Yes, State Parks lists swimming at China Camp Village, which has a sandy beach on San Pablo Bay. Two beach wheelchairs can be borrowed from the Quan Bros. snack shop on weekends.
What kind of place is China Camp State Park?
China Camp covers about 1,500 acres of oak woodland, ridge and tidal salt marsh on the San Pablo Bay side of the San Rafael peninsula. North San Pedro Road reaches it from downtown San Rafael to the west. Its namesake is a historic Chinese shrimp-fishing village on the shore, with a small museum, a sandy beach, and a weekend snack shop. The nonprofit Friends of China Camp has run the state park since 2012. Its marshes are part of the San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.
What is China Camp State Park weather like in November?
November at China Camp State Park averages a high of 62°F and a low of 48°F, with 3.1 in. of rain over about 8 rainy days. About 27% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 5 mph.
More about China Camp State Park 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 State Parks, China Camp State Park (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Friends of China Camp, home page (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Friends of China Camp, Day-Use Areas (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Friends of China Camp, Sea-level rise: a road runs through it (accessed 2026-10-27)
Rendered 2026-11-15T12:04:22.909Z.