Ocean Beach Weather
Beach • San Francisco Bay Area
Ocean Beach is the 3.5-mile straight strand that makes up San Francisco's Pacific shoreline. It runs south from the cliffs below the Cliff House toward the bluffs of Fort Funston. The beach is part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, a national park unit. Golden Gate Park and the Sunset District back onto it, and the Sunset Dunes park runs beside it between Lincoln Way and Sloat Boulevard. It is the city's surf beach and bonfire beach, and the one with the least shelter from wind and fog.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Ocean Beach weather today and through the year
It's 56°F at Ocean Beach right now (feels like 53°F), with 8 mph wind and a comfort score of 79. Monday's forecast high at Ocean Beach is 57°F, 5°F below the mid November normal of 62°F. The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 53°F with a 5 mph wind (comfort 59).
September is the warmest month at Ocean Beach, with an average high of 71°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 45°F. December is the wettest month (5.6 in.), out of about 26.5 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Ocean Beach are September, October, and August. The best hours are usually 2 PM to 5 PM in September, 3 PM to 6 PM in October, and 11 AM to 2 PM in August.
Ocean Beach faces due west onto the open Pacific, with no headland or bay to shelter it. In spring and summer, cold water rises from the deep along the coast and chills the air above it. The National Weather Service describes summer days on San Francisco's ocean side as clearing only partly after a gray morning. At the beach itself the fog often never lifts, and the Park Service says it is almost always foggy through late spring and summer.
Forecast updated November 15, 2026 at 3:01 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 Ocean Beach in the next few days
Active National Weather Service alerts
- High Surf Advisory until Tue 4:00 AM
- High Surf Warning until Sun 4:00 AM
Best time to go
The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 53°F with a 5 mph wind (comfort 59).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Ocean Beach, with a 61°F high and midday comfort near 80. Today looks weakest (42).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (80%, about 0.59 in.).
Ocean water
65°F at the Offshore San Francisco (18 nautical miles west) NOAA station. NOAA data
Tides (San Francisco (Golden Gate))
- High 4.4 ft at 4:47 AM today
- Low 3.6 ft at 9:14 AM today
- High 4.9 ft at 2:27 PM today
- Low 0.3 ft at 9:39 PM today
Live weather map
Weather around Ocean Beach right now
Overcast and 56° at Ocean Beach right now.
About the live weather map for Ocean Beach
The map centers on Ocean 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.
Ocean Beach vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Ocean 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 Ocean Beach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset District | 0.9 mi | +4°F | 51% | 11 mph | about 4°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| Outer Sunset | 0.9 mi | same | 50% | 10 mph | a very similar climate |
| Golden Gate Park | 1.5 mi | +5°F | 43% | 12 mph | about 5°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| Lafayette | 23.1 mi | +25°F | 13% | 9 mph | about 25°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (13% vs 49% of morning hours) |
| Novato | 24.3 mi | +24°F | 17% | 9 mph | about 24°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (17% vs 49% of morning hours) |
| Alhambra Valley | 25 mi | +24°F | 14% | 11 mph | about 24°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (14% vs 49% of morning hours) |
Places with a climate like Ocean Beach's
- Half Moon Bay State Beach (20 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Pescadero (36 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Bolinas (14 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Ocean Beach climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Ocean 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 Ocean 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.
Ocean Beach weather by month
September is the warmest month at Ocean Beach, with an average high of 71°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 45°F. December is the wettest month (5.6 in.), out of about 26.5 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in July, when fog or low cloud covers 57% 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 Ocean Beach are September, October, and August. The best hours are usually 2 PM to 5 PM in September, 3 PM to 6 PM in October, 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 | 57°F | 45°F | 5.0 in | 9 | 14% | 36% | 8 mph | 9.8 h | 33 |
| Feb | 59°F | 46°F | 5.1 in | 9 | 11% | 29% | 11 mph | 10.7 h | 35 |
| Mar | 61°F | 47°F | 3.7 in | 8 | 14% | 34% | 12 mph | 11.9 h | 50 |
| Apr | 63°F | 48°F | 1.8 in | 6 | 18% | 35% | 13 mph | 13.2 h | 54 |
| May | 65°F | 50°F | 0.8 in | 4 | 26% | 45% | 13 mph | 14.2 h | 46 |
| Jun | 68°F | 52°F | 0.2 in | 2 | 40% | 43% | 12 mph | 14.8 h | 61 |
| Jul | 69°F | 54°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 57% | 54% | 11 mph | 14.5 h | 65 |
| Aug | 70°F | 55°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 52% | 55% | 11 mph | 13.6 h | 69 |
| Sep | 71°F | 55°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 40% | 46% | 10 mph | 12.3 h | 76 |
| Oct | 69°F | 53°F | 1.2 in | 5 | 22% | 33% | 9 mph | 11.1 h | 72 |
| Nov | 62°F | 49°F | 2.9 in | 7 | 11% | 26% | 8 mph | 10.0 h | 63 |
| Dec | 57°F | 45°F | 5.6 in | 10 | 18% | 36% | 9 mph | 9.6 h | 21 |
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 Ocean Beach average about 9°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 Ocean Beach has actually seen.
What makes Ocean Beach's weather different
Among the 17 San Francisco Bay Area beaches we track, Ocean Beach has the 3rd-cloudiest summer middays.
- #3of 17
cloudiest summer middaysamong San Francisco Bay Area beaches
When the fog burns off
60%of 9 AM hours foggy in July
Fog or low cloud covers Ocean Beach in 60% of 9 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 50% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (11%).
When the wind picks up
1 PMwhen afternoon wind builds, February–October
From February through October, wind at Ocean Beach typically builds after 1 PM. In April it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 14 mph with 41% of those hours windy, while mornings average 8 mph.
Microclimate
+5°FGolden Gate Park, 1.5 mi away, on summer afternoons
Golden Gate Park, 1.5 miles away, runs about 5°F warmer than Ocean Beach on summer afternoons.
Daylight
9.6–14.8 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Ocean Beach 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 Ocean Beach
- Warm seasonJul 30 – Oct 7 · highs 69°F+
The warm season lasts about 2.3 months, from Jul 30 to Oct 7, when the average high is 69°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 71°F.
- Cool seasonNov 30 – Feb 27 · highs 60°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 30 to Feb 27, when the average high is 60°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Jan 8, with an average low near 45°F.
- Rainy seasonNov 3 – Apr 11 · 86% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Nov 3 to Apr 11, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 86% 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, Ocean Beach averaged no days at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 16 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 26 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 179 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Oct 16, 2026 (77°F) and the coldest night was Dec 13, 2025 (44°F). The wettest day was Nov 23, 2024 (2.60 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
- 16days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 26afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 179mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day77°FOct 16, 2026
- Coldest night44°FDec 13, 2025
- Wettest day2.60 inNov 23, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust52 mphMar 12, 2025
What shapes Ocean Beach's weather
At Ocean Beach the afternoon sea breeze arrives straight off the water. On flat sand with only low dunes behind it, nothing slows it down. On windy spring and summer afternoons, sand blows across the beach and onto the old roadway, and the wind makes even mild air feel cold.
When the marine layer, the sheet of fog and low cloud over the cold ocean, grows deep, Ocean Beach is where San Francisco gets its drizzle. The Weather Service notes that summer drizzle is rarely heavy enough to measure anywhere except right along the coast. September and October bring the sunniest beach days, as the summer pattern breaks down and offshore winds sometimes push the fog out to sea.
Winter is the season of big swell, when the surf becomes large and dangerous. Rain falls mostly from November through March, and the clear, cold days between storms often give the beach its longest views.
Tips for visiting Ocean Beach
Leave the water to expert surfers
The Park Service says the water is frigid and the currents are hazardous for all but the most experienced surfers.
Plan bonfires for March to October
Fires are allowed from March 1 to October 31, and only in the provided fire rings between Stairwells 15 and 20.
Leash dogs in the plover area
From July 1 to May 15, dogs must be on a leash no longer than six feet between Stairwell 21 and Sloat Boulevard. Threatened snowy plovers spend the winter on that stretch.
Take the N Judah to the sand
The N Judah ends at Judah and La Playa streets, a block from the beach. Parking at the beach is very limited.
Plan beach days for fall
The Park Service calls September and October the sunniest months for a walk on the beach.
Ocean Beach through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Bonfire season opens March 1. Afternoons are often blustery, and the fog settles back in by late spring.
- Summer (June–August)
- The Park Service says summer at the beach is almost always foggy, with temperatures in the 50s °F. Bring a warm jacket even for a bonfire.
- Fall (September–October)
- September and October bring the warmest, sunniest beach days, and bonfire season ends October 31.
- Winter (November–February)
- Beach fires are not allowed from November through February. Winter brings big storm surf, and snowy plovers rest on the southern stretch.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Surfing: Ocean Beach is only for experienced surfers. A manageable swell with light or offshore wind, more common on fall mornings, makes the best sessions.
- Beach bonfires: Pick a calm, dry evening from March through October, and use the designated fire rings only.
- Walking and running the beach: Fog doesn't spoil it, but a strong northwest wind makes the northbound leg much harder. Low tide gives the firmest sand.
- Biking Sunset Dunes: The 2-mile park beside the beach from Lincoln Way to Sloat Boulevard is easiest on calm mornings, before the afternoon wind.
Official sources and current conditions
- NPS: Ocean Beach
- Parks Conservancy: Ocean Beach
- SFMTA: N Judah
- NOAA tide predictions: San Francisco (Golden Gate)
- NOAA buoy 46026: offshore San Francisco water temperature
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 | 73 | 58.1° / 52° | 6.2h | 3d | 4.45" | 12 |
| December 2024 | 67 | 57.3° / 51.2° | 4.8h | 8d | 5.7" | 9 |
| January 2025 | 80 | 56.4° / 49.5° | 7h | 3d | 0.18" | 19 |
| February 2025 | 68 | 56.1° / 49.1° | 6h | 8d | 6.79" | 7 |
| March 2025 | 73 | 55.8° / 49.2° | 7.5h | 5d | 1.74" | 11 |
| April 2025 | 74 | 55.3° / 50.5° | 9h | 12d | 0.32" | 8 |
| May 2025 | 75 | 56.1° / 51° | 10.9h | 12d | 0.15" | 7 |
| June 2025 | 70 | 56.3° / 52.2° | 9.6h | 23d | 0" | 2 |
| July 2025 | 69 | 58.6° / 54.9° | 7.9h | 30d | 0" | 1 |
| August 2025 | 74 | 61° / 56.5° | 8.5h | 24d | 0" | 7 |
| September 2025 | 76 | 63.7° / 58.9° | 7.9h | 25d | 0.15" | 8 |
| October 2025 | 80 | 63° / 57.2° | 7.5h | 8d | 0.87" | 17 |
| November 2025 | 72 | 59.8° / 54.1° | 6.1h | 9d | 2.91" | 6 |
| December 2025 | 66 | 55.8° / 49.5° | 4.9h | 12d | 4.51" | 4 |
| January 2026 | 77 | 59.2° / 52.3° | 6.6h | 2d | 3.91" | 18 |
| February 2026 | 72 | 59.2° / 52.5° | 6.1h | 5d | 4.46" | 15 |
| March 2026 | 83 | 60.9° / 52.7° | 9.5h | 4d | 0.04" | 19 |
| April 2026 | 77 | 59.8° / 53.3° | 8.9h | 5d | 3.55" | 16 |
| May 2026 | 74 | 57.8° / 52.5° | 10.2h | 15d | 0.61" | 8 |
| June 2026 | 73 | 58.8° / 54.3° | 9.4h | 19d | 0.01" | 7 |
| July 2026 | 75 | 60.2° / 55.6° | 10.2h | 19d | 0.02" | 9 |
| August 2026 | 71 | 61.2° / 56.9° | 7.7h | 30d | 0" | 2 |
| September 2026 | 80 | 62.8° / 58.2° | 8.7h | 13d | 0.06" | 15 |
| October 2026 | 82 | 63.2° / 56.8° | 8h | 8d | 0.17" | 21 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Ocean Beach climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Ocean 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 Ocean 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 Ocean Beach, the warmest typical hour is 3 PM in October (61°F). The coldest is 7 AM in December (50°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Ocean Beach in 60% of 9 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 50% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (11%).
- Wind: From February through October, wind at Ocean Beach typically builds after 1 PM. In April it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 14 mph with 41% of those hours windy, while mornings average 8 mph.
- Cloud Cover: November middays are the clearest at Ocean Beach (26% average cloud cover), and August middays are the cloudiest (55%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Ocean Beach comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 767 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Ocean Beach
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Ocean 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 Ocean 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 Ocean 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 Ocean 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 Ocean 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 Ocean Beach
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Ocean Beach averaged a high of 63°F, about the same as October 2025 (63°F).
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 20.9 in. of rain to Ocean Beach, 79% of the 26.5 in. normal.
Location Details
Ocean Beach weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Ocean Beach
What is the weather like at Ocean Beach today?
It's 56°F at Ocean Beach right now, with a comfort score of 79 (great). Monday's forecast high at Ocean Beach is 57°F, 5°F below the mid November normal of 62°F. The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 53°F with a 5 mph wind (comfort 59).
What is the best month to visit Ocean Beach?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Ocean Beach are September, October, and August. The best hours are usually 2 PM to 5 PM in September, 3 PM to 6 PM in October, and 11 AM to 2 PM in August. The warm season lasts about 2.3 months, from Jul 30 to Oct 7, when the average high is 69°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 71°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Ocean Beach?
September is the warmest month at Ocean Beach, with an average high of 71°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 45°F.
When does the fog burn off at Ocean Beach?
Fog or low cloud covers Ocean Beach in 60% of 9 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 50% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (11%).
When is it windiest at Ocean Beach?
From February through October, wind at Ocean Beach typically builds after 1 PM. In April it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 14 mph with 41% of those hours windy, while mornings average 8 mph.
How cold is the ocean at Ocean Beach?
The nearest NOAA water-temperature station, Offshore San Francisco (18 nautical miles west), last read 65°F.
How much rain does Ocean Beach get?
December is the wettest month (5.6 in.), out of about 26.5 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Nov 3 to Apr 11, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 86% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 20.9 in. of rain to Ocean Beach, 79% of the 26.5 in. normal.
How does Ocean Beach weather compare with Golden Gate Park?
Golden Gate Park, 1.5 miles away, runs about 5°F warmer than Ocean Beach on summer afternoons.
Is it safe to swim at Ocean Beach?
No, not for most people. The National Park Service says the water is frigid and the currents are hazardous for all but the most experienced surfers. Treat it as a beach for walking, not swimming.
What kind of place is Ocean Beach?
Ocean Beach is the 3.5-mile straight strand that makes up San Francisco's Pacific shoreline. It runs south from the cliffs below the Cliff House toward the bluffs of Fort Funston. The beach is part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, a national park unit. Golden Gate Park and the Sunset District back onto it, and the Sunset Dunes park runs beside it between Lincoln Way and Sloat Boulevard. It is the city's surf beach and bonfire beach, and the one with the least shelter from wind and fog.
What is Ocean Beach weather like in November?
November at Ocean Beach averages a high of 62°F and a low of 49°F, with 2.9 in. of rain over about 7 rainy days. About 11% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 8 mph.
More about Ocean Beach weather
Guides that explain the weather here and nearby
- Rip Currents at Ocean Beach: Why San Francisco Says Stay Out
- Sneaker Waves: Why They Kill on Northern California Beaches
- San Francisco Weather in June: Fog Season Sets In, Here's What to Know
- Can a Tsunami Hit San Francisco? What History and Maps Show
- What Is Advection Fog? How Marine Air Creates Coastal Fog
- San Francisco Bay Water Temperature: Today & Monthly
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, Golden Gate NRA: Ocean Beach (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, Ocean Beach (accessed 2026-10-27)
- San Francisco Recreation and Parks, Sunset Dunes (accessed 2026-10-27)
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