Dillon Beach Weather
Beach • San Francisco Bay Area
Dillon Beach is a small cottage community with a privately run beach near the northern edge of Marin County. It sits where the open Pacific meets the mouth of Tomales Bay. Visitors reach the sand through the Dillon Beach Resort lot by the general store or through Lawson's Landing. That family-owned campground, boat launch, and clamming base borders more than a mile of the beach. Dog-friendly and facing straight into the ocean, it feels nothing like the calm coves inside the bay a few miles south.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Dillon Beach weather today and through the year
It's 55°F at Dillon Beach right now (feels like 54°F), with 3 mph wind and a comfort score of 80. Today's forecast high at Dillon Beach is 60°F, close to the mid November normal of 61°F. No fog in the forecast for today at Dillon Beach. In November, 26% of morning hours here are foggy on average. The best window today is 2 PM to 5 PM, at about 50°F with a 3 mph wind (comfort 53).
September is the warmest month at Dillon Beach, with an average high of 67°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 45°F. December is the wettest month (8.2 in.), out of about 38.5 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Dillon Beach are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually 8 AM to 11 AM in September, 4 PM to 7 PM in August, and 9 AM to noon in October.
Dillon Beach sits across the bay's mouth from Tomales Point, beyond the northern end of Inverness Ridge, so no ridge stands between it and the ocean. The northwest wind that the ridge blocks for Tomales Bay State Park and Inverness blows straight onshore here. Summer fog rolls in off the water with nothing to slow it. The sand dunes behind the beach are the clearest sign of how steady that wind is.
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 Dillon Beach in the next few days
Active National Weather Service alerts
- High Surf Advisory until Tue 4:00 AM
Fog
No fog in the forecast for today at Dillon Beach. In November, 26% of morning hours here are foggy on average.
Best time to go
The best window today is 2 PM to 5 PM, at about 50°F with a 3 mph wind (comfort 53).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Dillon Beach, with a 60°F high and midday comfort near 74. Today looks weakest (48).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (87%, about 0.85 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Dillon Beach right now
Overcast and 55° at Dillon Beach right now.
About the live weather map for Dillon Beach
The map centers on Dillon Beach 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.
Dillon Beach vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Dillon Beach, 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 Dillon Beach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bodega Bay | 7.4 mi | +8°F | 36% | 12 mph | about 8°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| Tomales Bay State Park | 8.8 mi | +9°F | 35% | 11 mph | about 9°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| Salmon Creek Beach | 8.9 mi | -1°F | 49% | 11 mph | a very similar climate |
| Windsor | 22.3 mi | +30°F | 30% | 9 mph | about 30°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (30% vs 43% of morning hours) |
| Austin Creek State Recreation Area | 22.7 mi | +28°F | 25% | 7 mph | about 28°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (25% vs 43% of morning hours) |
| Jack London State Historic Park | 24.3 mi | +29°F | 31% | 7 mph | about 29°F warmer on summer afternoons and calmer summer afternoons (7 vs 12 mph) |
Places with a climate like Dillon Beach's
- Limantour Beach (16 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Point Reyes National Seashore (15 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Drakes Beach (15 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Dillon Beach climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Dillon Beach 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 Dillon Beach 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.
Dillon Beach weather by month
September is the warmest month at Dillon Beach, with an average high of 67°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 45°F. December is the wettest month (8.2 in.), out of about 38.5 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in July, when fog or low cloud covers 51% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. November has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 26% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Dillon Beach are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually 8 AM to 11 AM in September, 4 PM to 7 PM in August, and 9 AM to noon in October.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 56°F | 45°F | 7.3 in | 11 | 35% | 37% | 9 mph | 9.8 h | 23 |
| Feb | 58°F | 46°F | 7.3 in | 11 | 21% | 28% | 12 mph | 10.7 h | 18 |
| Mar | 58°F | 46°F | 5.2 in | 10 | 23% | 33% | 13 mph | 11.9 h | 15 |
| Apr | 60°F | 47°F | 2.7 in | 7 | 23% | 31% | 14 mph | 13.2 h | 42 |
| May | 61°F | 49°F | 1.2 in | 5 | 29% | 36% | 14 mph | 14.3 h | 44 |
| Jun | 64°F | 50°F | 0.3 in | 2 | 33% | 36% | 13 mph | 14.8 h | 53 |
| Jul | 64°F | 52°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 51% | 49% | 11 mph | 14.6 h | 60 |
| Aug | 66°F | 53°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 44% | 49% | 11 mph | 13.6 h | 68 |
| Sep | 67°F | 52°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 41% | 39% | 11 mph | 12.3 h | 73 |
| Oct | 66°F | 51°F | 1.8 in | 6 | 34% | 31% | 10 mph | 11.1 h | 68 |
| Nov | 61°F | 48°F | 4.2 in | 9 | 26% | 26% | 9 mph | 10.0 h | 59 |
| Dec | 56°F | 45°F | 8.2 in | 12 | 34% | 40% | 9 mph | 9.5 h | 14 |
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 Dillon Beach average about 5°F cooler than the 1991-2020 normals. The normals average over a wider area that also covers warmer land behind the shoreline. Read the monthly highs as a rough range, and use the recent months below for what Dillon Beach has actually seen.
What makes Dillon Beach's weather different
Among the 17 San Francisco Bay Area beaches we track, Dillon Beach has the 3rd-coolest summer afternoons.
- #3of 17
coolest summer afternoonsamong San Francisco Bay Area beaches
When the fog burns off
63%of 6 AM hours foggy in July
Fog or low cloud covers Dillon Beach in 63% of 6 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 37% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (21%).
When the wind picks up
noonwhen afternoon wind builds, February–October
From February through October, wind at Dillon Beach typically builds after noon. In April it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 15 mph with 43% of those hours windy, while mornings average 7 mph.
Microclimate
+9°FTomales Bay State Park, 8.8 mi away, on summer afternoons
Tomales Bay State Park, 8.8 miles away, runs about 9°F warmer than Dillon Beach on summer afternoons.
Daylight
9.5–14.8 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Dillon Beach range from about 9.5 hours in December to 14.8 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:36 PM, and in mid-December around 4:57 PM.
Seasons at Dillon Beach
- Warm seasonAug 1 – Oct 26 · highs 65°F+
The warm season lasts about 2.9 months, from Aug 1 to Oct 26, when the average high is 65°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 67°F.
- Cool seasonDec 3 – Feb 26 · highs 58°F or lower
The cool season runs from Dec 3 to Feb 26, when the average high is 58°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Dec 8, with an average low near 45°F.
- Rainy seasonOct 25 – Apr 22 · 90% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Oct 25 to Apr 22, when a day has at least a 21% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 90% 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 17 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, Dillon Beach averaged no days at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 20 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 24 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 177 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Oct 3, 2026 (82°F) and the coldest night was Feb 20, 2026 (34°F). The wettest day was Nov 21, 2024 (3.44 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 52 mph on Mar 12, 2025.
- 0days at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 20days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 24afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 177mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day82°FOct 3, 2026
- Coldest night34°FFeb 20, 2026
- Wettest day3.44 inNov 21, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust52 mphMar 12, 2025
What shapes Dillon Beach's weather
Just inland, low grassy hills rise toward the town of Tomales, and the fog often stalls against them. On a summer afternoon the beach can be gray and blustery while pasture a few miles east is sunny. The warmer inland air keeps pulling the sea breeze ashore.
Because the beach faces west into open water near the bay's mouth, surf is bigger and conditions change faster than anywhere inside Tomales Bay. The sand flats along the mouth uncover only on low tides. Clammers can work them only when the wind and surf die down.
Tips for visiting Dillon Beach
Dogs are welcome on the sand
Dillon Beach Resort describes the beach as dog-friendly, so dogs can come along on the sand.
Use Lawson's Landing for a quieter stretch
Lawson's day-use parking runs 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and reaches over a mile of beach that is quieter than the main resort lot.
Park free with a Golden Bear Pass
Day use of the resort's beach lot is free with a California State Parks Golden Bear Pass or a Sonoma County Regional Senior Park Pass.
Claim a fire pit early
Six public fire pits on the beach are first come, first served, with no reservations.
Clam only on calm, low tides
Clam beds uncover only at tides of 0.5 feet or lower, and wind or heavy surf can make digging impossible. A California fishing license is required.
Camp against the dunes for shelter
Lawson's points campers who want extra wind shelter to its sites backed by the dunes.
Dillon Beach through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Spring low tides open the giant clam beds, though wind or surf can shut down digging even on a good tide.
- Summer (June–August)
- Fog and steady onshore wind are the norm. Bring a windbreak and warm layers even when inland Marin and Sonoma are hot.
- Fall (September–November)
- Fall low tides bring the second clamming window, and calmer, clearer days make this the best season for an evening at a beach fire pit.
- Winter (December–February)
- Winter is storm season, with rain and big surf on this open-ocean beach. Keep well back from the water on rough days.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Clamming: Needs calm wind, small surf, and a low tide of 0.5 feet or lower early enough to dig before sunset.
- Surfing: Light wind gives the cleanest waves. Boards and wetsuits rent at the general store and surf shop.
- Camping at Lawson's Landing: Lawson's tells campers to expect rain or shine, fog or sun, and wind. Dune-side sites take the edge off the breeze.
- Beach fires: Calm, clear evenings are best, and they come most often in fall.
Official sources and current conditions
- Lawson's Landing: Day-use parking
- Lawson's Landing: Clamming
- Dillon Beach Resort: Beach and activities
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 | 71 | 57.7° / 46.4° | 6.1h | 6d | 9.02" | 12 |
| December 2024 | 65 | 56.9° / 46.3° | 5h | 10d | 7.9" | 7 |
| January 2025 | 77 | 55.7° / 43.5° | 6.9h | 9d | 0.5" | 18 |
| February 2025 | 66 | 54.8° / 44° | 5.9h | 10d | 8.37" | 8 |
| March 2025 | 72 | 54.1° / 45.1° | 7.8h | 7d | 3.27" | 12 |
| April 2025 | 75 | 53.2° / 46.5° | 9.5h | 14d | 0.47" | 8 |
| May 2025 | 79 | 55.5° / 47.5° | 11.9h | 7d | 0.1" | 12 |
| June 2025 | 75 | 55.3° / 48.5° | 10.9h | 15d | 0" | 7 |
| July 2025 | 71 | 57.7° / 51.6° | 8.8h | 27d | 0.03" | 2 |
| August 2025 | 77 | 60.7° / 52.5° | 9.6h | 17d | 0" | 14 |
| September 2025 | 79 | 64.2° / 55.5° | 8.2h | 20d | 0" | 14 |
| October 2025 | 76 | 61.9° / 52° | 6.8h | 14d | 0.81" | 12 |
| November 2025 | 70 | 59.2° / 49.5° | 5.8h | 14d | 3.99" | 9 |
| December 2025 | 63 | 54.2° / 43.9° | 4.8h | 22d | 4.8" | 3 |
| January 2026 | 75 | 57.7° / 44.9° | 6.5h | 6d | 4.67" | 16 |
| February 2026 | 71 | 58° / 47° | 6h | 4d | 4.17" | 11 |
| March 2026 | 85 | 61.1° / 48.7° | 9.9h | 2d | 0.11" | 22 |
| April 2026 | 77 | 57° / 47.9° | 9.1h | 5d | 3.62" | 16 |
| May 2026 | 76 | 56.9° / 48.9° | 10.5h | 16d | 0.67" | 11 |
| June 2026 | 76 | 58.4° / 51.1° | 10.2h | 15d | 0.03" | 9 |
| July 2026 | 77 | 60.1° / 51.8° | 10.7h | 12d | 0" | 11 |
| August 2026 | 74 | 60.3° / 53.1° | 8.6h | 24d | 0" | 7 |
| September 2026 | 78 | 62.4° / 53.5° | 9.1h | 16d | 0.26" | 13 |
| October 2026 | 82 | 63.2° / 50.7° | 8.1h | 8d | 0.03" | 21 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Dillon Beach climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Dillon Beach, 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 Dillon Beach. 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 Dillon Beach, the warmest typical hour is 3 PM in October (58°F). The coldest is 7 AM in December (48°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Dillon Beach in 63% of 6 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 37% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (21%).
- Wind: From February through October, wind at Dillon Beach typically builds after noon. In April it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 15 mph with 43% of those hours windy, while mornings average 7 mph.
- Cloud Cover: November middays are the clearest at Dillon Beach (26% average cloud cover), and August middays are the cloudiest (49%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Dillon Beach comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 872 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Dillon Beach
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Dillon Beach 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 Dillon Beach. 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 Dillon Beach 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 Dillon Beach 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 Dillon Beach 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 Dillon Beach
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Dillon Beach averaged a high of 63°F, 1°F warmer than October 2025 (62°F).
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 23.1 in. of rain to Dillon Beach, 60% of the 38.5 in. normal.
Location Details
Dillon Beach weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Dillon Beach
What is the weather like at Dillon Beach today?
It's 55°F at Dillon Beach right now, with a comfort score of 80 (great). Today's forecast high at Dillon Beach is 60°F, close to the mid November normal of 61°F. The best window today is 2 PM to 5 PM, at about 50°F with a 3 mph wind (comfort 53).
What is the best month to visit Dillon Beach?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Dillon Beach are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually 8 AM to 11 AM in September, 4 PM to 7 PM in August, and 9 AM to noon in October. The warm season lasts about 2.9 months, from Aug 1 to Oct 26, when the average high is 65°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 67°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Dillon Beach?
September is the warmest month at Dillon Beach, with an average high of 67°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 45°F.
When does the fog burn off at Dillon Beach?
Fog or low cloud covers Dillon Beach in 63% of 6 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 37% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (21%).
When is it windiest at Dillon Beach?
From February through October, wind at Dillon Beach typically builds after noon. In April it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 15 mph with 43% of those hours windy, while mornings average 7 mph.
How much rain does Dillon Beach get?
December is the wettest month (8.2 in.), out of about 38.5 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Oct 25 to Apr 22, when a day has at least a 21% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 90% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 23.1 in. of rain to Dillon Beach, 60% of the 38.5 in. normal.
How does Dillon Beach weather compare with Tomales Bay State Park?
Tomales Bay State Park, 8.8 miles away, runs about 9°F warmer than Dillon Beach on summer afternoons.
What kind of place is Dillon Beach?
Dillon Beach is a small cottage community with a privately run beach near the northern edge of Marin County. It sits where the open Pacific meets the mouth of Tomales Bay. Visitors reach the sand through the Dillon Beach Resort lot by the general store or through Lawson's Landing. That family-owned campground, boat launch, and clamming base borders more than a mile of the beach. Dog-friendly and facing straight into the ocean, it feels nothing like the calm coves inside the bay a few miles south.
What is Dillon Beach weather like in November?
November at Dillon Beach averages a high of 61°F and a low of 48°F, with 4.2 in. of rain over about 9 rainy days. About 26% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 9 mph.
More about Dillon Beach 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.
- Dillon Beach Resort, Play (beach, fire pits, rentals, parking passes) (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Lawson's Landing, Day-Use Parking (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Lawson's Landing, Clamming (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Lawson's Landing, Camping FAQ (accessed 2026-10-27)
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