Drakes Beach Weather
Beach • San Francisco Bay Area
Drakes Beach faces south into Drakes Bay below pale sandstone cliffs. It is the outer-coast beach at Point Reyes where families can play at the water's edge, because its waves are usually smaller than on the park's west-facing beaches. The National Park Service runs the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center beside the parking lot. The cliffs, built from shallow-sea sands 10 to 13 million years old, reminded Francis Drake of Dover. In winter, northern elephant seals crowd the sand within sight of the lot.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Drakes Beach weather today and through the year
It's 60°F at Drakes Beach right now (feels like 55°F), with 13 mph wind and a comfort score of 79. Today's forecast high at Drakes Beach is 61°F, close to the mid November normal of 59°F. No fog in the forecast for today at Drakes Beach. In November, 27% of morning hours here are foggy on average. The best window today is 1 PM to 4 PM, at about 52°F with a 8 mph wind (comfort 50).
September is the warmest month at Drakes Beach, with an average high of 64°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 47°F. December is the wettest month (7.4 in.), out of about 34.9 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Drakes Beach are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually noon to 3 PM in September, 11 AM to 2 PM in August, and 1 PM to 4 PM in October.
Drakes Beach sits inside the curve of the Point Reyes Headlands, which wrap around the west side of Drakes Bay. That headland blocks the big northwest swell that pounds Point Reyes Beach on the far side, which is why the surf here is gentler. It does not block the fog. The Park Service groups Drakes Beach with the lighthouse and headlands as the cool, foggy, windy outer coast, a world apart from sunny Bear Valley behind Inverness Ridge.
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 Drakes 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 Drakes Beach. In November, 27% of morning hours here are foggy on average.
Best time to go
The best window today is 1 PM to 4 PM, at about 52°F with a 8 mph wind (comfort 50).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Drakes Beach, with a 60°F high and midday comfort near 78. Today looks weakest (44).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (88%, about 1.01 in.).
Ocean water
64°F at the Point Reyes (Pacific coast) NOAA station. NOAA data
Tides (Point Reyes)
- High 4.3 ft at 4:18 AM today
- Low 3.8 ft at 8:15 AM today
- High 4.8 ft at 1:31 PM today
- Low 0.5 ft at 9:24 PM today
Live weather map
Weather around Drakes Beach right now
Overcast and 60° at Drakes Beach right now.
About the live weather map for Drakes Beach
The map centers on Drakes 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.
Drakes Beach vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Drakes 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 Drakes Beach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Point Reyes Lighthouse | 4 mi | -7°F | 52% | 10 mph | about 7°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (52% vs 41% of morning hours) |
| Limantour Beach | 4.3 mi | -4°F | 44% | 10 mph | about 4°F cooler on summer afternoons |
| Point Reyes National Seashore | 4.8 mi | +4°F | 37% | 10 mph | about 4°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| Novato | 22 mi | +20°F | 17% | 9 mph | about 20°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (17% vs 41% of morning hours) |
| Ross | 22.6 mi | +19°F | 17% | 7 mph | about 19°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (17% vs 41% of morning hours) |
| Kentfield | 22.6 mi | +19°F | 17% | 7 mph | about 19°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (17% vs 41% of morning hours) |
Places with a climate like Drakes Beach's
- Dillon Beach (15 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Bodega Bay (22 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Salt Point State Park (42 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Drakes Beach climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Drakes 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 Drakes 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.
Drakes Beach weather by month
September is the warmest month at Drakes Beach, with an average high of 64°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 47°F. December is the wettest month (7.4 in.), out of about 34.9 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 25% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Drakes Beach are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually noon to 3 PM in September, 11 AM to 2 PM in August, and 1 PM to 4 PM in October.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 56°F | 47°F | 6.6 in | 11 | 33% | 36% | 9 mph | 9.8 h | 33 |
| Feb | 57°F | 47°F | 6.3 in | 10 | 20% | 28% | 12 mph | 10.7 h | 31 |
| Mar | 57°F | 47°F | 5.0 in | 9 | 23% | 34% | 12 mph | 11.9 h | 29 |
| Apr | 58°F | 48°F | 2.5 in | 7 | 20% | 32% | 13 mph | 13.2 h | 50 |
| May | 59°F | 49°F | 1.1 in | 4 | 25% | 38% | 13 mph | 14.2 h | 55 |
| Jun | 61°F | 50°F | 0.3 in | 2 | 34% | 37% | 13 mph | 14.8 h | 65 |
| Jul | 62°F | 52°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 46% | 48% | 11 mph | 14.5 h | 68 |
| Aug | 63°F | 53°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 42% | 44% | 11 mph | 13.6 h | 75 |
| Sep | 64°F | 53°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 38% | 33% | 11 mph | 12.3 h | 80 |
| Oct | 64°F | 52°F | 1.7 in | 5 | 29% | 29% | 10 mph | 11.1 h | 72 |
| Nov | 59°F | 49°F | 3.8 in | 8 | 27% | 25% | 9 mph | 10.0 h | 63 |
| Dec | 56°F | 47°F | 7.4 in | 12 | 34% | 37% | 9 mph | 9.5 h | 32 |
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 Drakes Beach average about 4°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 Drakes Beach has actually seen.
What makes Drakes Beach's weather different
When the fog burns off
noonwhen July fog usually thins (55% foggy at 6 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers Drakes Beach in 55% of 6 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by noon, but 17% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (20%).
When the wind picks up
noonwhen afternoon wind builds, February–November
From February through November, wind at Drakes Beach typically builds after noon. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 14 mph with 41% of those hours windy, while mornings average 10 mph.
Day-to-night range
12°Fwidest typical day-to-night swing, in October
Temperatures at Drakes Beach stay in a narrow band. The widest average day-to-night swing comes in October, and it is only about 12°F. Average highs stay below 85°F all year, and average lows stay above freezing.
Microclimate
−7°FPoint Reyes Lighthouse, 4 mi away, on summer afternoons
Point Reyes Lighthouse, 4 miles away, runs about 7°F cooler than Drakes Beach on summer afternoons. It also has more summer morning fog, 52% of morning hours compared with 41%.
Daylight
9.5–14.8 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Drakes 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 Drakes Beach
- Warm seasonAug 4 – Oct 26 · highs 63°F+
The warm season lasts about 2.8 months, from Aug 4 to Oct 26, when the average high is 63°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 64°F.
- Cool seasonDec 2 – Feb 28 · highs 57°F or lower
The cool season runs from Dec 2 to Feb 28, when the average high is 57°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Dec 8, with an average low near 47°F.
- Rainy seasonOct 26 – Apr 22 · 90% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Oct 26 to Apr 22, when a day has at least a 20% 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 19 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, Drakes Beach 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 22 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 158 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Sep 9, 2026 (74°F) and the coldest night was Feb 18, 2026 (41°F). The wettest day was Nov 21, 2024 (2.91 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 52 mph on Nov 20, 2024.
- 0days at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 18days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 22afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 158mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day74°FSep 9, 2026
- Coldest night41°FFeb 18, 2026
- Wettest day2.91 inNov 21, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust52 mphNov 20, 2024
What shapes Drakes Beach's weather
Drakes Beach faces south, and that exposure cuts both ways. In summer the Point Reyes Headlands shelter the bay from the northwest wind. The strongest gusts of the year often come with southerly storms in late fall and winter, and Drakes Bay opens straight into them. Storm surf and rain then hit the beach and its soft cliffs head-on, and rockfall from the cliff face becomes more likely.
The water in Drakes Bay stays cold in every season. That cold water is what chills the summer air into fog, so even a sunny day inland can mean a gray, cool afternoon on the sand here.
Tips for visiting Drakes Beach
Leave the dog at home
Pets are prohibited at Drakes Beach. Leashed dogs are allowed on part of Limantour Beach instead.
Keep back from the cliffs
The Park Service lists Drakes among the beaches below cliffs with rockfall and landslide risk. Stay well back from the cliff base.
Wade only without surf advisories
Drakes is one of the park's relatively safe swimming beaches, but only when no beach hazard or high-surf advisory is in effect. There are no lifeguards.
Give elephant seals room
Parts of the beach may close during elephant seal pupping season. Watch from a respectful distance, and expect parts of the beach to close in winter.
Skip the lagoon
The lagoon at Drakes can sometimes hold harmful bacteria and animal waste, so stay out of it.
Drakes Beach through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Wind is strong on most days across the outer coast. Elephant seal closures from the pupping season may still be in place early on, so check before you go.
- Summer (June–August)
- Heavy fog often lingers on the beach into the afternoon in July and August, and the beach can run about 20°F cooler than Bear Valley. The small waves still draw families.
- Fall (September–November)
- The outer coast's clearest weather runs from late September into early November, the best time for a sunny walk under the cliffs.
- Winter (December–February)
- Southerly storms hit the bay head-on. Northern elephant seals arrive for breeding season in late December and can be seen from the parking lot.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Beach play and wading: Wading needs small surf and no advisories. The water can be as cold as 50°F, so without a wetsuit keep it short.
- Elephant seal viewing: Seal watching runs from late December through winter and works in fog or drizzle, since the seals are visible from the parking lot.
- Beach walks under the cliffs: Walk on calm, clear days at lower tides. Stay away from the cliff base, especially after heavy rain.
- Visitor center exhibits: The visitor center is a dry stop on stormy or foggy days, with historical exhibits and staff on hand.
Official sources and current conditions
- NPS: Drakes Beach
- NPS: Point Reyes current conditions
- NPS: Beach safety at Point Reyes
- NOAA tide predictions: Point Reyes
- NOAA water temperature: Point Reyes
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 | 72 | 56.8° / 49.4° | 6.2h | 9d | 8.45" | 13 |
| December 2024 | 65 | 56.9° / 49.7° | 4.9h | 13d | 7.14" | 7 |
| January 2025 | 76 | 55.2° / 47.1° | 6.7h | 7d | 0.35" | 15 |
| February 2025 | 68 | 54.4° / 47.2° | 6h | 9d | 8.52" | 8 |
| March 2025 | 73 | 53.9° / 47.5° | 7.9h | 8d | 2.81" | 11 |
| April 2025 | 77 | 53.1° / 47.8° | 9.3h | 10d | 0.34" | 12 |
| May 2025 | 80 | 54.2° / 48.6° | 11.9h | 5d | 0.1" | 18 |
| June 2025 | 77 | 54.1° / 49.7° | 10.7h | 14d | 0" | 14 |
| July 2025 | 74 | 56.5° / 52.6° | 8.7h | 18d | 0" | 7 |
| August 2025 | 79 | 58.8° / 53.7° | 9.8h | 9d | 0" | 13 |
| September 2025 | 80 | 61.6° / 56.2° | 8.1h | 15d | 0.04" | 16 |
| October 2025 | 78 | 60.2° / 54.5° | 7.2h | 10d | 0.75" | 17 |
| November 2025 | 70 | 58° / 51.5° | 5.6h | 9d | 4.06" | 7 |
| December 2025 | 68 | 57° / 48.7° | 4.8h | 9d | 4.74" | 7 |
| January 2026 | 76 | 58.9° / 50.5° | 6.7h | 4d | 4.71" | 18 |
| February 2026 | 71 | 57.8° / 50.9° | 6.2h | 6d | 4.48" | 11 |
| March 2026 | 85 | 58.3° / 50° | 9.5h | 2d | 0.06" | 21 |
| April 2026 | 77 | 57.3° / 51° | 9.1h | 4d | 3.76" | 19 |
| May 2026 | 76 | 55.7° / 50.4° | 10.1h | 10d | 0.69" | 12 |
| June 2026 | 78 | 57.6° / 52.4° | 10.2h | 14d | 0.02" | 12 |
| July 2026 | 79 | 59.1° / 53.4° | 10.3h | 12d | 0" | 16 |
| August 2026 | 76 | 59.4° / 54.7° | 8.6h | 20d | 0" | 8 |
| September 2026 | 81 | 61.2° / 55.6° | 9.1h | 11d | 0.28" | 17 |
| October 2026 | 86 | 61.3° / 53.9° | 8.3h | 6d | 0.06" | 25 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Drakes Beach climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Drakes 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 Drakes 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 Drakes Beach, the warmest typical hour is 2 PM in September (65°F). The coldest is 6 AM in February (47°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Drakes Beach in 55% of 6 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by noon, but 17% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (20%).
- Wind: From February through November, wind at Drakes Beach typically builds after noon. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 14 mph with 41% of those hours windy, while mornings average 10 mph.
- Cloud Cover: November middays are the clearest at Drakes Beach (25% average cloud cover), and July middays are the cloudiest (48%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Drakes Beach comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 855 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Drakes Beach
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Drakes 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 Drakes 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 Drakes 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 Drakes 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 Drakes 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 Drakes Beach
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Drakes Beach averaged a high of 61°F, 1°F warmer than October 2025 (60°F).
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 23.6 in. of rain to Drakes Beach, 67% of the 34.9 in. normal.
Location Details
Drakes Beach weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Drakes Beach
What is the weather like at Drakes Beach today?
It's 60°F at Drakes Beach right now, with a comfort score of 79 (great). Today's forecast high at Drakes Beach is 61°F, close to the mid November normal of 59°F. The best window today is 1 PM to 4 PM, at about 52°F with a 8 mph wind (comfort 50).
What is the best month to visit Drakes Beach?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Drakes Beach are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually noon to 3 PM in September, 11 AM to 2 PM in August, and 1 PM to 4 PM in October. The warm season lasts about 2.8 months, from Aug 4 to Oct 26, when the average high is 63°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 64°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Drakes Beach?
September is the warmest month at Drakes Beach, with an average high of 64°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 47°F.
When does the fog burn off at Drakes Beach?
Fog or low cloud covers Drakes Beach in 55% of 6 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by noon, but 17% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (20%).
When is it windiest at Drakes Beach?
From February through November, wind at Drakes Beach typically builds after noon. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 14 mph with 41% of those hours windy, while mornings average 10 mph.
How cold is the ocean at Drakes Beach?
The nearest NOAA water-temperature station, Point Reyes (Pacific coast), last read 64°F.
How much rain does Drakes Beach get?
December is the wettest month (7.4 in.), out of about 34.9 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Oct 26 to Apr 22, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 90% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 23.6 in. of rain to Drakes Beach, 67% of the 34.9 in. normal.
How does Drakes Beach weather compare with Point Reyes Lighthouse?
Point Reyes Lighthouse, 4 miles away, runs about 7°F cooler than Drakes Beach on summer afternoons. It also has more summer morning fog, 52% of morning hours compared with 41%.
What kind of place is Drakes Beach?
Drakes Beach faces south into Drakes Bay below pale sandstone cliffs. It is the outer-coast beach at Point Reyes where families can play at the water's edge, because its waves are usually smaller than on the park's west-facing beaches. The National Park Service runs the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center beside the parking lot. The cliffs, built from shallow-sea sands 10 to 13 million years old, reminded Francis Drake of Dover. In winter, northern elephant seals crowd the sand within sight of the lot.
What is Drakes Beach weather like in November?
November at Drakes Beach averages a high of 59°F and a low of 49°F, with 3.8 in. of rain over about 8 rainy days. About 27% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 9 mph.
More about Drakes 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.
- National Park Service, Drakes Beach (updated Apr 18, 2024) (accessed 2026-10-27)
- National Park Service, Point Reyes beach safety (accessed 2026-10-27)
- National Park Service, Swimming at Point Reyes (updated Oct 10, 2024) (accessed 2026-10-27)
- National Park Service, Point Reyes Weather & Tides (accessed 2026-10-27)
- National Park Service, Point Reyes Lighthouse brochure (Places to Visit En Route) (accessed 2026-10-27)
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