Portola Redwoods State Park Weather
Park • San Francisco Bay Area
Portola Redwoods sits at the end of a single dead-end road that leaves Alpine Road three miles west of Skyline Boulevard. The park covers about 2,800 acres of steep canyon where Pescadero Creek and Peters Creek wind through the redwoods. California State Parks runs a 55-site campground and a visitor center with a fireplace on the canyon floor, and waterfalls spill down Fall Creek. Peters Creek Grove, reached by trail, protects some of the region's most remote redwoods. There is no cell signal, no store, and no gas anywhere nearby.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Portola Redwoods State Park weather today and through the year
It's 54°F at Portola Redwoods State Park right now (feels like 51°F), with 5 mph wind and a comfort score of 78. Monday's forecast high at Portola Redwoods State Park is 56°F, 9°F below the mid November normal of 65°F. The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 54°F with a 5 mph wind (comfort 57).
August is the warmest month at Portola Redwoods State Park, with an average high of 82°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 40°F. December is the wettest month (7.5 in.), out of about 37.0 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Portola Redwoods State Park are September, July, and August. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in September, noon to 3 PM in July, and 10 AM to 1 PM in August.
Depth sets Portola's weather. The campground and visitor center sit on the floor of the Pescadero Creek canyon, well over a thousand feet below Skyline Boulevard. Steep forested walls rise on every side. Direct sun reaches the creek flats late and leaves early. On days when Skyline Ridge and the Santa Clara Valley bake, the canyon floor stays shaded and noticeably cooler.
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 Portola Redwoods State Park in the next few days
No active National Weather Service alerts for this location.
Best time to go
The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 54°F with a 5 mph wind (comfort 57).
Hiking conditions
Best hiking day this week: Monday, with 9 daylight hours that are dry, 45 to 80°F, and under 18 mph wind. 4 of the next 7 days have at least 4 such hours.
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Portola Redwoods State Park, with a 57°F high and midday comfort near 70. Thursday looks weakest (48).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (87%, about 0.32 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Portola Redwoods State Park right now
Overcast and 54° at Portola Redwoods State Park right now.
About the live weather map for Portola Redwoods State Park
The map centers on Portola Redwoods State Park and stacks fog, satellite clouds, and precipitation radar on one view. Clouds come from the GOES-West satellite and rain from NOAA radar, and both show current conditions. Fog comes from our HRRR-based fog model, and the slider steps through its forecast for the next 12 hours.
Dots mark nearby places with their current temperature, colored by comfort score. Use the layer buttons to turn any layer off, or open the full map for every destination in the region.
Nearby Temperature Comparison
Conditions at nearby San Francisco Bay Area destinations
Tip: Bay Area temperatures can change by 20 to 30°F over a short distance because of microclimates.
Portola Redwoods State Park vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Portola Redwoods State Park, from the same NOAA HRRR hourly record. The list shows the closest places, then nearby places whose climate differs the most.
| Place | Distance | Summer afternoons | Morning fog | Afternoon wind | Compared with Portola Redwoods State Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skyline Ridge Open Space | 4.7 mi | same | 26% | 8 mph | 1,738 ft higher |
| Russian Ridge Open Space | 4.9 mi | -2°F | 36% | 9 mph | 1,642 ft higher |
| Pescadero Creek County Park | 5.3 mi | -5°F | 42% | 8 mph | about 5°F cooler on summer afternoons |
| Año Nuevo State Park | 11.1 mi | -15°F | 42% | 14 mph | about 15°F cooler on summer afternoons and windier summer afternoons (14 vs 8 mph) |
| Año Nuevo Point | 11.8 mi | -15°F | 42% | 14 mph | about 15°F cooler on summer afternoons and windier summer afternoons (14 vs 8 mph) |
| Moss Beach | 24.9 mi | -15°F | 66% | 9 mph | about 15°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (66% vs 34% of morning hours) |
Places with a climate like Portola Redwoods State Park's
- Petaluma (72 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Cotati (79 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Forestville (92 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Portola Redwoods State Park climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Portola Redwoods State Park with the available local baseline. Temperature and year-to-date rainfall use long-term normals when available. Fog, sunshine, wind, and comfort use the matching recent or modeled baseline identified on each card.
Positive and negative differences describe how Portola Redwoods State Park departs from its own usual pattern. They should not be read as a direct comparison with another city or as a forecast beyond the period shown.
Portola Redwoods State Park weather by month
August is the warmest month at Portola Redwoods State Park, with an average high of 82°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 40°F. December is the wettest month (7.5 in.), out of about 37.0 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in July, when fog or low cloud covers 36% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. October has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 19% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Portola Redwoods State Park are September, July, and August. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in September, noon to 3 PM in July, and 10 AM to 1 PM in August.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 59°F | 40°F | 7.4 in | 12 | 15% | 32% | 6 mph | 9.9 h | 39 |
| Feb | 60°F | 41°F | 7.1 in | 11 | 12% | 30% | 7 mph | 10.8 h | 41 |
| Mar | 64°F | 42°F | 5.6 in | 10 | 16% | 34% | 8 mph | 11.9 h | 42 |
| Apr | 66°F | 43°F | 2.6 in | 7 | 23% | 32% | 8 mph | 13.1 h | 61 |
| May | 71°F | 47°F | 1.1 in | 4 | 28% | 34% | 8 mph | 14.2 h | 71 |
| Jun | 77°F | 50°F | 0.3 in | 2 | 30% | 25% | 8 mph | 14.7 h | 83 |
| Jul | 81°F | 53°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 36% | 22% | 7 mph | 14.5 h | 90 |
| Aug | 82°F | 53°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 36% | 20% | 8 mph | 13.5 h | 90 |
| Sep | 81°F | 52°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 27% | 21% | 8 mph | 12.3 h | 91 |
| Oct | 75°F | 48°F | 1.5 in | 5 | 17% | 19% | 7 mph | 11.1 h | 85 |
| Nov | 65°F | 43°F | 3.8 in | 8 | 11% | 22% | 6 mph | 10.1 h | 69 |
| Dec | 58°F | 40°F | 7.5 in | 12 | 17% | 31% | 6 mph | 9.6 h | 39 |
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 Portola Redwoods State 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 Portola Redwoods State Park has actually seen.
What makes Portola Redwoods State Park's weather different
When the fog burns off
11 AMwhen July fog usually thins (48% foggy at 8 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers Portola Redwoods State Park in 48% of 8 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 11 AM. November mornings are the least foggy (11%).
When the wind picks up
1 PMwhen afternoon wind builds, April–September
From April through September, wind at Portola Redwoods State Park typically builds after 1 PM. In May it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 9 mph with 1% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
Microclimate
−5°FPescadero Creek County Park, 5.3 mi away, on summer afternoons
Pescadero Creek County Park, 5.3 miles away, runs about 5°F cooler than Portola Redwoods State Park on summer afternoons.
Daylight
9.6–14.7 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Portola Redwoods State Park range from about 9.6 hours in December to 14.7 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:30 PM, and in mid-December around 4:57 PM.
Seasons at Portola Redwoods State Park
- Warm seasonJul 1 – Sep 27 · highs 79°F+
The warm season lasts about 2.9 months, from Jul 1 to Sep 27, when the average high is 79°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 82°F.
- Cool seasonNov 29 – Mar 1 · highs 62°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 29 to Mar 1, when the average high is 62°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Dec 8, with an average low near 40°F.
- Rainy seasonOct 28 – Apr 25 · 91% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Oct 28 to Apr 25, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 91% 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 21 and half of its annual total by Jan 25.
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, Portola Redwoods State Park averaged 9 days a year at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 21 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 1 afternoon with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 123 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Sep 9, 2026 (101°F) and the coldest night was Feb 18, 2026 (36°F). The wettest day was Feb 5, 2025 (2.84 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 49 mph on Feb 4, 2025.
- 9days at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 21days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 1afternoon with 20+ mph wind
- 123mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day101°FSep 9, 2026
- Coldest night36°FFeb 18, 2026
- Wettest day2.84 inFeb 5, 2025
- Strongest 2 PM gust49 mphFeb 4, 2025
What shapes Portola Redwoods State Park's weather
At night the Portola Redwoods canyon collects cold air like a basin. Air chilled on the slopes slides downhill and pools along the creeks. Campers can wake colder than anyone sleeping up on the ridge near the Russian Ridge or Skyline Ridge preserves. Pack for the night, not for the afternoon forecast.
Marine air reaches Portola the long way, following Pescadero Creek inland past Pescadero and Loma Mar. On deep-fog days it fills the canyon with gray, dripping air. On shallower days it stops downstream and the park stays clear. Because more ridges stand between it and the ocean, Portola sees less summer fog than Butano, whose canyon opens almost straight onto the coast.
Winter storms that stall against the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains drop heavy rain here, and the creeks rise fast. State Parks notes that the park may close in severe weather, and the steep, winding road in is slow going in the wet.
Tips for visiting Portola Redwoods State Park
Fill the tank before Skyline
There's no gas or store at or near the park. The nearest gas is 14 miles away in Sky Londa, and the nearest groceries are 9 miles away in Sky Londa and La Honda.
Plan without a phone signal
There's no cell reception in or near the park, so download maps and check the forecast before you leave Skyline Boulevard.
Use low gear on the way down
Alpine Road and Portola State Park Road are steep and winding, so shift to low gear on the descent. Expect a 1.5 to 2 hour drive from most of the Bay Area.
Bring a warm layer for evening
Cold air settles on the canyon floor after sunset, even after a hot day on the ridge.
Keep a crumb-clean camp
Food left out draws jays, ravens and crows, which prey on the endangered marbled murrelet.
Dogs stay off the trails
Leashed dogs are allowed at campsites, picnic areas, paved roads and the Upper and Lower Escape Roads. They are not allowed on hiking trails, dirt roads or in the visitor center.
Be off the trail by sunset
Backpackers must be off the trails by sunset, and no ground fires are allowed. Trail camps such as Slate Creek are by reservation only, and requests can be made up to 60 days ahead.
Portola Redwoods State Park through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- The waterfalls on Fall Creek and Pescadero Creek run best after the winter rains, and the canyon is green and damp. Nights are still cold on the creek flats.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer is campground season. Hot days on Skyline turn into mild, shaded afternoons on the canyon floor, and nights stay cool.
- Fall (September–October)
- Fall brings warm, dry days and quieter campsites after Labor Day. The creeks drop low before the first storms arrive.
- Winter (November–February)
- Winter is wet, dark and quiet under the redwoods. The park may close in severe weather, so check before driving down.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Hiking to Peters Creek Grove: The trail to one of the region's most remote redwood groves is best on dry days. Winter rain makes the creekside trails muddy.
- Camping: The 55-site family campground and the Slate Creek trail camp suit summer and early fall, when nights are cool but dry.
- Riding Old Haul Road: Cyclists and equestrians can ride Old Haul Road through the redwoods to Memorial County Park. Dry weather keeps the dirt road firm.
- Creekside waterfall walks: Short walks along Pescadero Creek and Fall Creek are at their best a few days after a winter or spring storm, once the trails have drained.
Official sources and current conditions
- California State Parks: Portola Redwoods State Park
- Portola Redwoods campground map (PDF)
- Santa Cruz Mountains backcountry trail camps (Slate Creek)
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 | 62.2° / 47.3° | 6.7h | 3d | 4.69" | 17 |
| December 2024 | 75 | 62.9° / 49.9° | 5.4h | 7d | 6.61" | 15 |
| January 2025 | 84 | 60.7° / 45.2° | 6.9h | 3d | 0.2" | 21 |
| February 2025 | 75 | 60° / 45.3° | 6.3h | 5d | 10.79" | 14 |
| March 2025 | 75 | 58.7° / 44.5° | 7.5h | 4d | 4.41" | 14 |
| April 2025 | 84 | 62.6° / 45.1° | 9h | 8d | 0.7" | 23 |
| May 2025 | 85 | 67° / 47.4° | 9.5h | 11d | 0.15" | 23 |
| June 2025 | 88 | 70° / 48° | 10.5h | 13d | 0" | 22 |
| July 2025 | 89 | 73.4° / 51° | 11h | 16d | 0" | 30 |
| August 2025 | 89 | 77.9° / 52.9° | 10.2h | 13d | 0.02" | 28 |
| September 2025 | 87 | 76.3° / 57.5° | 8.8h | 11d | 0.29" | 26 |
| October 2025 | 86 | 69.7° / 52.9° | 7.7h | 6d | 1.87" | 22 |
| November 2025 | 80 | 66.6° / 51.8° | 6.5h | 2d | 5.94" | 19 |
| December 2025 | 77 | 64.2° / 51.1° | 5.5h | 5d | 5.04" | 19 |
| January 2026 | 82 | 64.8° / 51.8° | 6.8h | 3d | 6.53" | 22 |
| February 2026 | 76 | 63.8° / 49.1° | 6.4h | 1d | 6.76" | 16 |
| March 2026 | 91 | 73.9° / 52.2° | 9.3h | 4d | 0.01" | 26 |
| April 2026 | 82 | 64.2° / 48.4° | 8.7h | 4d | 4.5" | 20 |
| May 2026 | 85 | 65.9° / 48.9° | 10.1h | 10d | 0.74" | 21 |
| June 2026 | 90 | 72.8° / 51.9° | 11.5h | 12d | 0" | 26 |
| July 2026 | 87 | 74.2° / 53.4° | 10.2h | 14d | 0.08" | 26 |
| August 2026 | 90 | 77° / 52.2° | 10.7h | 12d | 0" | 31 |
| September 2026 | 91 | 75° / 53.7° | 9.6h | 9d | 0.06" | 27 |
| October 2026 | 89 | 76.7° / 55.9° | 8h | 1d | 0.23" | 29 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Portola Redwoods State Park climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Portola Redwoods State Park, showing both the seasonal cycle and the typical day-to-night range. The comfort chart summarizes how often the combined weather pattern is favorable rather than judging temperature alone.
Precipitation shows the total recorded or modeled rainfall for each month at Portola Redwoods State Park. Sunshine compares average bright-sky hours with the daylight available, while fog shows the average number of morning fog or low-cloud hours per day. Switch between the chart tabs to compare the same months across each measure.
Hourly Temperature, Fog, Wind, Cloud Cover, and Solar Radiation Patterns
Average local hour by month from 2014-09-30 to 2026-04-30
- Temperature: At Portola Redwoods State Park, the warmest typical hour is 2 PM in August (77°F). The coldest is 5 AM in February (47°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Portola Redwoods State Park in 48% of 8 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 11 AM. November mornings are the least foggy (11%).
- Wind: From April through September, wind at Portola Redwoods State Park typically builds after 1 PM. In May it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 9 mph with 1% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
- Cloud Cover: October middays are the clearest at Portola Redwoods State Park (19% average cloud cover), and March middays are the cloudiest (34%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Portola Redwoods State Park comes at 1 PM in July, averaging 962 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Portola Redwoods State Park
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Portola Redwoods State Park changes by hour and month. Read left to right for the seasons and top to bottom for the time of day. Warmer colors mark the usual afternoon peaks, and cooler colors show overnight and winter lows.
This heatmap shows when fog or low cloud is most likely at Portola Redwoods State Park. Darker cells mark the months and hours when fog has been most common. They help separate overnight or morning fog from cloud that tends to linger into the afternoon.
This heatmap shows the typical hourly wind pattern at Portola Redwoods State Park through the year. It makes recurring afternoon wind, calmer overnight periods, and seasonal changes easier to compare than a single daily wind value.
This heatmap shows average cloud cover at Portola Redwoods State Park for every month and hour. Use it to see whether cloudiness is mainly an overnight and morning pattern or commonly persists during the part of the day you plan to visit.
This heatmap shows the average solar radiation reaching Portola Redwoods State Park by month and hour. Brighter cells indicate the strongest typical sun, while muted cells can reflect nighttime, shorter winter days, cloud cover, smoke, or terrain shading.
Each cell combines one month with one local hour. Hover over or focus on a cell for its value and sample coverage. The red marker shows the current month and hour.
How recent months compared at Portola Redwoods State Park
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Portola Redwoods State Park averaged a high of 77°F, 7°F warmer than October 2025 (70°F).
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 31.5 in. of rain to Portola Redwoods State Park, 85% of the 37.0 in. normal.
Location Details
Portola Redwoods State Park weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Portola Redwoods State Park
What is the weather like at Portola Redwoods State Park today?
It's 54°F at Portola Redwoods State Park right now, with a comfort score of 78 (great). Monday's forecast high at Portola Redwoods State Park is 56°F, 9°F below the mid November normal of 65°F. The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 54°F with a 5 mph wind (comfort 57).
What is the best month to visit Portola Redwoods State Park?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Portola Redwoods State Park are September, July, and August. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in September, noon to 3 PM in July, and 10 AM to 1 PM in August. The warm season lasts about 2.9 months, from Jul 1 to Sep 27, when the average high is 79°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 82°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Portola Redwoods State Park?
August is the warmest month at Portola Redwoods State Park, with an average high of 82°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 40°F.
When does the fog burn off at Portola Redwoods State Park?
Fog or low cloud covers Portola Redwoods State Park in 48% of 8 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 11 AM. November mornings are the least foggy (11%).
When is it windiest at Portola Redwoods State Park?
From April through September, wind at Portola Redwoods State Park typically builds after 1 PM. In May it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 9 mph with 1% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
How much rain does Portola Redwoods State Park get?
December is the wettest month (7.5 in.), out of about 37.0 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Oct 28 to Apr 25, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 91% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 31.5 in. of rain to Portola Redwoods State Park, 85% of the 37.0 in. normal.
How does Portola Redwoods State Park weather compare with Pescadero Creek County Park?
Pescadero Creek County Park, 5.3 miles away, runs about 5°F cooler than Portola Redwoods State Park on summer afternoons.
What kind of place is Portola Redwoods State Park?
Portola Redwoods sits at the end of a single dead-end road that leaves Alpine Road three miles west of Skyline Boulevard. The park covers about 2,800 acres of steep canyon where Pescadero Creek and Peters Creek wind through the redwoods. California State Parks runs a 55-site campground and a visitor center with a fireplace on the canyon floor, and waterfalls spill down Fall Creek. Peters Creek Grove, reached by trail, protects some of the region's most remote redwoods. There is no cell signal, no store, and no gas anywhere nearby.
What is Portola Redwoods State Park weather like in November?
November at Portola Redwoods State Park averages a high of 65°F and a low of 43°F, with 3.8 in. of rain over about 8 rainy days. About 11% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 6 mph.
More about Portola Redwoods State Park weather
Guides that explain the weather here and nearby
Data sources and methods
- Monthly temperatures and precipitation: NOAA 1991-2020 normals.
- Fog, cloud, wind, sun, and comfort by hour and month: NOAA's HRRR hourly analysis from September 2014 to April 2026.
- Daily records and recent months: NOAA URMA and HRRR analyses, plus NOAA Stage IV precipitation.
- Nearby comparisons and regional rankings use the same hourly HRRR summaries for every destination in the region.
- Alerts: National Weather Service. Tides and ocean temperature: NOAA CO-OPS, where shown.
- All statements on this page are computed from these datasets, apart from the “What shapes the weather” guide, which cites its sources inline.
- California State Parks, Portola Redwoods State Park (accessed 2026-10-27)
- California State Parks, Backpacking and trail camps (Big Basin, Butano, Castle Rock, Portola Redwoods) (accessed 2026-10-27)
Rendered 2026-11-15T12:16:32.689Z.