McLaren Park Weather
Park • San Francisco Bay Area
Spread over 312 acres of the ridge along San Francisco's southeast edge, McLaren Park is the open ground between the Excelsior, the Portola, and Visitacion Valley. San Francisco Recreation and Parks manages it as the city's second-largest park. It has the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, McNab Lake, a golf course, Coffman Pool, and more than 7 miles of trails. The New Deal's Works Progress Administration built many of them. Mansell Street follows the crest, and its meadows, eucalyptus groves, and spring-fed wetlands make it the city's big hilltop park far from the ocean.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
McLaren Park weather today and through the year
It's 53°F at McLaren Park right now (feels like 50°F), with 5 mph wind and a comfort score of 77. Monday's forecast high at McLaren Park is 55°F, 8°F below the mid November normal of 63°F. No fog in the forecast for today at McLaren Park. In November, 13% of morning hours here are foggy on average. The best window today is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 52°F with a 7 mph wind (comfort 55).
September is the warmest month at McLaren Park, with an average high of 75°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 43°F. December is the wettest month (5.4 in.), out of about 26.2 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at McLaren Park are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in September, noon to 3 PM in August, and noon to 3 PM in October.
McLaren Park sits on an east-west ridge that ends at Bayview Hill, topping out at just over 500 feet along Mansell Street. That puts it about as far from Ocean Beach as any big park in the city. On a typical summer morning the whole city starts under the marine layer, the cool, moist air the ocean feeds ashore. The National Weather Service observes that clearing comes on the bay side first, with only partial clearing toward the ocean. McLaren is on the bay side, though its ridgetop meadows still start gray on many summer mornings.
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 McLaren Park 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 McLaren Park. In November, 13% of morning hours here are foggy on average.
Best time to go
The best window today is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 52°F with a 7 mph wind (comfort 55).
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 McLaren Park, with a 60°F high and midday comfort near 78. Today looks weakest (43).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (73%, about 0.54 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around McLaren Park right now
Overcast and 53° at McLaren Park right now.
About the live weather map for McLaren Park
The map centers on McLaren 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.
McLaren Park vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with McLaren 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 McLaren Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excelsior District | 0.7 mi | same | 44% | 13 mph | a very similar climate |
| Visitacion Valley | 0.9 mi | +4°F | 21% | 12 mph | less summer morning fog (21% vs 37% of morning hours) and about 4°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| Glen Park | 1.4 mi | same | 44% | 13 mph | a very similar climate |
| Lafayette | 20.1 mi | +16°F | 13% | 9 mph | about 16°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (13% vs 37% of morning hours) |
| Walnut Creek | 23.5 mi | +18°F | 11% | 8 mph | about 18°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (11% vs 37% of morning hours) |
| Danville | 24 mi | +18°F | 3% | 8 mph | about 18°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (3% vs 37% of morning hours) |
Places with a climate like McLaren Park's
- Capitola (57 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Richmond (16 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- El Cerrito (15 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the McLaren Park climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at McLaren 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 McLaren 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.
McLaren Park weather by month
September is the warmest month at McLaren Park, with an average high of 75°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 43°F. December is the wettest month (5.4 in.), out of about 26.2 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in July, when fog or low cloud covers 42% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. October 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 McLaren Park are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in September, noon to 3 PM in August, and noon to 3 PM in October.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F | 43°F | 4.9 in | 9 | 16% | 37% | 6 mph | 9.8 h | 37 |
| Feb | 60°F | 44°F | 5.0 in | 9 | 13% | 29% | 8 mph | 10.7 h | 41 |
| Mar | 62°F | 45°F | 3.7 in | 8 | 15% | 33% | 9 mph | 11.9 h | 61 |
| Apr | 64°F | 46°F | 1.8 in | 6 | 16% | 31% | 11 mph | 13.2 h | 66 |
| May | 67°F | 49°F | 0.8 in | 4 | 23% | 36% | 13 mph | 14.2 h | 64 |
| Jun | 71°F | 51°F | 0.2 in | 2 | 30% | 30% | 13 mph | 14.8 h | 72 |
| Jul | 73°F | 53°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 42% | 36% | 13 mph | 14.5 h | 73 |
| Aug | 74°F | 54°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 39% | 34% | 12 mph | 13.6 h | 81 |
| Sep | 75°F | 53°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 28% | 31% | 11 mph | 12.3 h | 86 |
| Oct | 71°F | 51°F | 1.2 in | 5 | 15% | 25% | 8 mph | 11.1 h | 81 |
| Nov | 63°F | 46°F | 2.9 in | 7 | 13% | 25% | 6 mph | 10.1 h | 66 |
| Dec | 57°F | 43°F | 5.4 in | 10 | 22% | 37% | 6 mph | 9.6 h | 36 |
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 McLaren Park average about 5°F cooler than the 1991-2020 normals. The normals average over a wider area that also covers nearby terrain. Read the monthly highs as a rough range, and use the recent months below for what McLaren Park has actually seen.
What makes McLaren Park's weather different
When the fog burns off
4 PMwhen July fog usually thins (46% foggy at 6 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers McLaren Park in 46% of 6 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 4 PM, but 17% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. November mornings are the least foggy (13%).
When the wind picks up
2 PMwhen afternoon wind builds, February–October
From February through October, wind at McLaren Park typically builds after 2 PM. In June it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 15 mph with 42% of those hours windy, while mornings average 7 mph.
Daylight
9.6–14.8 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at McLaren Park range from about 9.6 hours in December to 14.8 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:34 PM, and in mid-December around 4:58 PM.
Seasons at McLaren Park
- Warm seasonJul 3 – Oct 4 · highs 72°F+
The warm season lasts about 3.1 months, from Jul 3 to Oct 4, when the average high is 72°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 75°F.
- Cool seasonNov 29 – Feb 28 · highs 61°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 29 to Feb 28, when the average high is 61°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Jan 8, with an average low near 43°F.
- Rainy seasonNov 5 – Apr 11 · 85% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Nov 5 to Apr 11, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 85% 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 26 and half of its annual total by Jan 23.
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, McLaren Park averaged 3 days a year at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 15 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 3 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 129 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Sep 9, 2026 (95°F) and the coldest night was Feb 20, 2026 (39°F). The wettest day was Nov 23, 2024 (2.93 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 46 mph on Mar 12, 2025.
- 3days at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 15days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 3afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 129mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day95°FSep 9, 2026
- Coldest night39°FFeb 20, 2026
- Wettest day2.93 inNov 23, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust46 mphMar 12, 2025
What shapes McLaren Park's weather
Unlike the Mission or Noe Valley, McLaren has no tall ridge directly upwind to hide behind. The low country through Daly City and along the I-280 corridor lets the afternoon sea breeze reach the park's western slopes. On days when the marine layer of ocean cloud is deep, the fog edge comes through the same way. The open meadows and the crest along Mansell Street take that west wind at full strength, while the eucalyptus and pine groves are noticeably calmer.
The north slope toward the Excelsior and the Portola is gentler and holds the springs that once fed Yosemite Creek. The steeper south slope faces Visitacion Valley and San Bruno Mountain and gets more direct sun. Like the city's other grassland hills, the meadows dry to gold by midsummer and only turn green again once winter rain arrives.
Tips for visiting McLaren Park
Start Philosopher's Way at 1229 Mansell Street
The 2.7-mile loop has 14 marked musing stations and winds through the lower meadows and the heights above the 280 corridor.
Hike the groves when the wind is up
On breezy summer afternoons the wooded stretches of trail are calmer than the open grassland on the ridge.
Plan around park and restroom hours
The park is open 5 a.m. to midnight, and restrooms are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The main address is Mansell Street and John F. Shelley Drive.
Walk in from a neighboring district
Trails connect to the Visitacion Valley Greenway on the south side and to University Street on the west.
Use the designated dog play areas
The park has off-leash dog play areas, including one inside the John F. Shelley Drive loop.
McLaren Park through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- The meadows are green and the grassland is at its best. The afternoon sea breeze returns by April, so the open ridge gets windy later in the day.
- Summer (June–August)
- Gray mornings usually clear here sooner than on the west side of the city, but the afternoon sea breeze sweeps across the ridge. The grass is dry and golden.
- Fall (September–October)
- September is the warmest month. Heat arrives on days when dry offshore wind, blowing from inland toward the coast, takes over from the ocean breeze. Some of the city's hottest days on record have come in September and October. Shade in the groves helps on those days.
- Winter (November–February)
- Most of McLaren Park's rain falls in winter. Springs and seeps on the north slope come back to life, and unpaved trails turn muddy after storms.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Trail walking: Clear mornings are best, before the afternoon west wind builds. Paved stretches stay usable after rain, when the dirt paths turn muddy.
- Concerts at the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater: Shows need a dry day. Bring a layer for the walk out, because evenings on the ridge cool quickly once the sea breeze sets in.
- Dog walking: The dog play areas work most of the year. Mornings are calmest, and afternoons on the exposed grassland can be blustery.
- Golf: Calm, clear mornings are ideal. Windy afternoons make the open holes on the ridge harder.
Official sources and current conditions
- SF Recreation and Parks: McLaren Park
- SF Recreation and Parks: McLaren Park trails and Philosopher's Way
- SF Recreation and Parks: Herz Playground and Coffman Pool
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 | 79 | 61.9° / 48.9° | 6.6h | 3d | 4.58" | 18 |
| December 2024 | 71 | 59.6° / 47.7° | 5.1h | 7d | 5.81" | 12 |
| January 2025 | 83 | 59.5° / 45° | 7.1h | 5d | 0.18" | 22 |
| February 2025 | 74 | 60° / 46° | 6.4h | 7d | 7.04" | 13 |
| March 2025 | 80 | 60.5° / 47° | 8.1h | 3d | 1.78" | 17 |
| April 2025 | 84 | 61.7° / 48.7° | 9.6h | 4d | 0.38" | 21 |
| May 2025 | 87 | 65.6° / 50.9° | 11.8h | 5d | 0.16" | 25 |
| June 2025 | 82 | 63.8° / 52.1° | 11.5h | 16d | 0" | 18 |
| July 2025 | 80 | 64.3° / 54.6° | 10h | 20d | 0" | 13 |
| August 2025 | 86 | 69.3° / 56.7° | 10.2h | 13d | 0.02" | 24 |
| September 2025 | 87 | 71.9° / 59.2° | 9.1h | 6d | 0.12" | 26 |
| October 2025 | 87 | 69° / 55.1° | 7.8h | 5d | 1.09" | 25 |
| November 2025 | 77 | 63° / 51.7° | 6.6h | 10d | 3" | 13 |
| December 2025 | 68 | 56.3° / 46.6° | 4.8h | 12d | 4.87" | 6 |
| January 2026 | 79 | 61° / 47.1° | 6.8h | 3d | 4" | 21 |
| February 2026 | 77 | 62.8° / 48.9° | 6.5h | 7d | 4.67" | 15 |
| March 2026 | 93 | 72.6° / 53° | 9.6h | 2d | 0.05" | 27 |
| April 2026 | 83 | 64.3° / 51.2° | 9.2h | 4d | 3.93" | 19 |
| May 2026 | 86 | 65° / 52.1° | 11.1h | 10d | 0.64" | 23 |
| June 2026 | 86 | 67.2° / 54.2° | 11.5h | 11d | 0.02" | 23 |
| July 2026 | 84 | 67.6° / 55.7° | 10.9h | 14d | 0" | 21 |
| August 2026 | 83 | 67.6° / 56.4° | 10h | 21d | 0" | 18 |
| September 2026 | 88 | 70.2° / 57° | 9.4h | 9d | 0.08" | 23 |
| October 2026 | 89 | 71.2° / 54.6° | 8.4h | 4d | 0.18" | 29 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the McLaren Park climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at McLaren 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 McLaren 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 McLaren Park, the warmest typical hour is 2 PM in September (70°F). The coldest is 7 AM in January (46°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers McLaren Park in 46% of 6 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 4 PM, but 17% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. November mornings are the least foggy (13%).
- Wind: From February through October, wind at McLaren Park typically builds after 2 PM. In June it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 15 mph with 42% of those hours windy, while mornings average 7 mph.
- Cloud Cover: October middays are the clearest at McLaren Park (25% average cloud cover), and December middays are the cloudiest (37%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at McLaren Park comes at 2 PM in June, averaging 889 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for McLaren Park
This heatmap shows how average temperature at McLaren 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 McLaren 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 McLaren 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 McLaren 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 McLaren 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 McLaren Park
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at McLaren Park averaged a high of 71°F, close to the 1991-2020 normal of 71°F. It brought 0.18 in. of rain, compared with a normal of 1.21 in.
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 22.4 in. of rain to McLaren Park, 85% of the 26.2 in. normal.
Location Details
McLaren Park weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting McLaren Park
What is the weather like at McLaren Park today?
It's 53°F at McLaren Park right now, with a comfort score of 77 (great). Monday's forecast high at McLaren Park is 55°F, 8°F below the mid November normal of 63°F. The best window today is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 52°F with a 7 mph wind (comfort 55).
What is the best month to visit McLaren Park?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at McLaren Park are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in September, noon to 3 PM in August, and noon to 3 PM in October. The warm season lasts about 3.1 months, from Jul 3 to Oct 4, when the average high is 72°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 75°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at McLaren Park?
September is the warmest month at McLaren Park, with an average high of 75°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 43°F.
When does the fog burn off at McLaren Park?
Fog or low cloud covers McLaren Park in 46% of 6 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 4 PM, but 17% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. November mornings are the least foggy (13%).
When is it windiest at McLaren Park?
From February through October, wind at McLaren Park typically builds after 2 PM. In June it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 15 mph with 42% of those hours windy, while mornings average 7 mph.
How much rain does McLaren Park get?
December is the wettest month (5.4 in.), out of about 26.2 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Nov 5 to Apr 11, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 85% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 22.4 in. of rain to McLaren Park, 85% of the 26.2 in. normal.
What kind of place is McLaren Park?
Spread over 312 acres of the ridge along San Francisco's southeast edge, McLaren Park is the open ground between the Excelsior, the Portola, and Visitacion Valley. San Francisco Recreation and Parks manages it as the city's second-largest park. It has the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, McNab Lake, a golf course, Coffman Pool, and more than 7 miles of trails. The New Deal's Works Progress Administration built many of them. Mansell Street follows the crest, and its meadows, eucalyptus groves, and spring-fed wetlands make it the city's big hilltop park far from the ocean.
What is McLaren Park weather like in November?
November at McLaren Park averages a high of 63°F and a low of 46°F, with 2.9 in. of rain over about 7 rainy days. About 13% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 6 mph.
More about McLaren 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.
- San Francisco Recreation and Parks, McLaren Park (accessed 2026-10-27)
- San Francisco Recreation and Parks, McLaren Park Trails (accessed 2026-10-27)
- SF Recreation and Parks, Significant Natural Resource Areas Management Plan, section 6.19 McLaren Park (final draft, February 2006) (accessed 2026-10-27)
- National Weather Service, Climate of San Francisco (NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS WR-126, Jan Null, 1995) (accessed 2026-10-27)
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