Rodeo Beach Weather
Beach • San Francisco Bay Area
Rodeo Beach is a short, pebbly cove at the mouth of Rodeo Valley in the Marin Headlands, about three miles northwest of the Golden Gate Bridge. The National Park Service manages it beside old Fort Cronkhite. The beach is a narrow bar between the ocean and Rodeo Lagoon, a wetland closed to people and pets. Its sand is mixed with red and green pebbles that can include jasper, carnelian, and agate. The cliffs of Bird Island just offshore are a major pelican roost.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Rodeo Beach weather today and through the year
It's 58°F at Rodeo Beach right now (feels like 54°F), with 11 mph wind and a comfort score of 80. Monday's forecast high at Rodeo Beach is 56°F, 6°F below the mid November normal of 62°F. No fog in the forecast for today at Rodeo Beach. In November, 14% of morning hours here are foggy on average. The best window today is 9 AM to noon, at about 53°F with a 7 mph wind (comfort 58).
September is the warmest month at Rodeo Beach, with an average high of 72°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 44°F. December is the wettest month (6.6 in.), out of about 30.6 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Rodeo Beach are September, October, and August. The best hours are usually 8 AM to 11 AM in September, 8 AM to 11 AM in October, and noon to 3 PM in August.
Rodeo Beach faces west onto the open ocean from the bottom of a valley that runs inland between the Headlands' ridges. On summer days the marine layer, the cool, damp ocean air that carries fog, flows straight up that valley past the lagoon. The beach is often foggier and windier than Sausalito, just over the ridge on the bay side.
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 Rodeo 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 Rodeo Beach. In November, 14% of morning hours here are foggy on average.
Best time to go
The best window today is 9 AM to noon, at about 53°F with a 7 mph wind (comfort 58).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Rodeo Beach, with a 61°F high and midday comfort near 79. Today looks weakest (49).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (83%, about 0.51 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 Rodeo Beach right now
Overcast and 58° at Rodeo Beach right now.
About the live weather map for Rodeo Beach
The map centers on Rodeo 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.
Rodeo Beach vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Rodeo 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 Rodeo Beach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marin Headlands | 0.7 mi | +6°F | 46% | 16 mph | about 6°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| Tennessee Valley Beach | 1 mi | +4°F | 52% | 12 mph | about 4°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| Hawk Hill | 2.1 mi | +6°F | 46% | 16 mph | about 6°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| Novato | 19.1 mi | +25°F | 17% | 9 mph | about 25°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (17% vs 48% of morning hours) |
| Lafayette | 23.2 mi | +25°F | 13% | 9 mph | about 25°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (13% vs 48% of morning hours) |
| Alhambra Valley | 23.8 mi | +25°F | 14% | 11 mph | about 25°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (14% vs 48% of morning hours) |
Places with a climate like Rodeo Beach's
- Half Moon Bay State Beach (25 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Pacifica (15 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Schoolhouse Beach (48 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Rodeo Beach climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Rodeo 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 Rodeo 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.
Rodeo Beach weather by month
September is the warmest month at Rodeo Beach, with an average high of 72°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 44°F. December is the wettest month (6.6 in.), out of about 30.6 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in July, when fog or low cloud covers 54% 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 Rodeo Beach are September, October, and August. The best hours are usually 8 AM to 11 AM in September, 8 AM to 11 AM in October, and noon to 3 PM in August.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 56°F | 44°F | 5.8 in | 10 | 16% | 36% | 9 mph | 9.8 h | 23 |
| Feb | 59°F | 46°F | 5.8 in | 10 | 12% | 28% | 11 mph | 10.7 h | 31 |
| Mar | 61°F | 47°F | 4.3 in | 9 | 17% | 33% | 12 mph | 11.9 h | 45 |
| Apr | 63°F | 48°F | 2.0 in | 6 | 21% | 34% | 14 mph | 13.2 h | 49 |
| May | 65°F | 50°F | 0.9 in | 4 | 29% | 42% | 15 mph | 14.2 h | 44 |
| Jun | 69°F | 52°F | 0.2 in | 2 | 41% | 41% | 14 mph | 14.8 h | 51 |
| Jul | 70°F | 54°F | 0.0 in | 0 | 54% | 51% | 13 mph | 14.5 h | 61 |
| Aug | 71°F | 55°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 50% | 52% | 12 mph | 13.6 h | 65 |
| Sep | 72°F | 55°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 42% | 42% | 11 mph | 12.3 h | 74 |
| Oct | 69°F | 52°F | 1.4 in | 5 | 24% | 31% | 10 mph | 11.1 h | 71 |
| Nov | 62°F | 48°F | 3.3 in | 8 | 14% | 25% | 9 mph | 10.0 h | 63 |
| Dec | 56°F | 45°F | 6.6 in | 11 | 19% | 36% | 9 mph | 9.5 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 Rodeo Beach average about 10°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 Rodeo Beach has actually seen.
What makes Rodeo Beach's weather different
Among the 17 San Francisco Bay Area beaches we track, Rodeo Beach has the 3rd-windiest summer afternoons.
- #3of 17
windiest summer afternoonsamong San Francisco Bay Area beaches
When the fog burns off
66%of 6 AM hours foggy in July
Fog or low cloud covers Rodeo Beach in 66% of 6 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 37% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (12%).
When the wind picks up
1 PMwhen afternoon wind builds, February–October
From February through October, wind at Rodeo Beach typically builds after 1 PM. In April it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 16 mph with 53% of those hours windy, while mornings average 8 mph.
Microclimate
+6°FMarin Headlands, 0.7 mi away, on summer afternoons
Marin Headlands, 0.7 miles away, runs about 6°F warmer than Rodeo Beach on summer afternoons.
Daylight
9.5–14.8 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Rodeo Beach range from about 9.5 hours in December to 14.8 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:34 PM, and in mid-December around 4:55 PM.
Seasons at Rodeo Beach
- Warm seasonJun 29 – Oct 24 · highs 69°F+
The warm season lasts about 3.9 months, from Jun 29 to Oct 24, when the average high is 69°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 72°F.
- Cool seasonNov 29 – Mar 1 · highs 60°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 29 to Mar 1, when the average high is 60°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Jan 8, with an average low near 44°F.
- Rainy seasonOct 30 – Apr 15 · 88% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Oct 30 to Apr 15, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 88% 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 23 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, Rodeo Beach averaged no days at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 17 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 34 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 176 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Sep 9, 2026 (84°F) and the coldest night was Feb 20, 2026 (40°F). The wettest day was Nov 23, 2024 (2.51 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 51 mph on Mar 12, 2025.
- 0days at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 17days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 34afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 176mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day84°FSep 9, 2026
- Coldest night40°FFeb 20, 2026
- Wettest day2.51 inNov 23, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust51 mphMar 12, 2025
What shapes Rodeo Beach's weather
Because the Headlands stand directly north of the Golden Gate, the fog bank that pours into the strait passes just south of Rodeo Beach. The Parks Conservancy describes the cove as windswept but sheltered by cliffs. The headlands on either side block some of the wind, but nothing stops the swell rolling straight in.
The Park Service says summer fog dominates the park's coast by July, while clear, sunny weather usually runs from mid-to-late September through October. Those fall weeks bring the warmest beach days. Winter brings the rain and the biggest surf of the year.
Tips for visiting Rodeo Beach
Don't plan on swimming
The Parks Conservancy warns that the ocean water in the Headlands is cold and dangerous.
Stay out of Rodeo Lagoon
People and pets aren't allowed anywhere in the lagoon, which protects the endangered tidewater goby.
Leash dogs on the trails
The beach is dog-friendly, but pets must be leashed on the nearby trails.
Bring food and a water bottle
There are no food vendors. A water bottle station, restroom, and surfer shower are at the north end of the parking area.
Arrive early for parking
Parking is limited. When the main lot fills, overflow parking is near the Marine Mammal Center.
Admire the pebbles, don't pocket them
Jasper, carnelian, black agate, and jade can turn up among the pebbles, but collecting them isn't allowed.
Rodeo Beach through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Wildflowers on the Headlands hills peak from April into early June, though spring afternoons are often windy at the beach.
- Summer (June–August)
- Fog usually takes over by July. Expect gray, breezy days and cool water, with brief clearings in the afternoon.
- Fall (September–October)
- Fall brings clearer weather from late September through October. It is also raptor migration season, when more than 20,000 birds of prey fly over the Headlands each year.
- Winter (November–February)
- Winter is the rainy season, with the year's biggest surf. Stay well back from the waterline on high-swell days.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Pelican and bird watching: As many as 1,200 pelicans may rest on Bird Island's rocks at once. Clear, calm mornings are best for binoculars.
- Surfing: Surfing needs a moderate swell and light wind. A surfer shower is at the north end of the parking area.
- Hiking to Battery Townsley: A coastal trail climbs from the beach to the battery's 16-inch gun. Go on a clear day for the views, because fog hides everything.
- Kite flying: The Conservancy calls the beach ideal for kite flying. The steady afternoon onshore breeze does the work.
Official sources and current conditions
- NPS: Fort Cronkhite and Rodeo Beach
- Parks Conservancy: Rodeo Beach
- Parks Conservancy: Marin Headlands
- 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 | 72 | 57.5° / 50° | 6.1h | 5d | 5.09" | 12 |
| December 2024 | 66 | 56° / 49° | 4.5h | 10d | 6.64" | 11 |
| January 2025 | 79 | 55.6° / 47.2° | 6.9h | 3d | 0.21" | 17 |
| February 2025 | 68 | 55.2° / 47.1° | 6.1h | 9d | 7.58" | 9 |
| March 2025 | 72 | 54.5° / 46.4° | 7.5h | 4d | 2" | 9 |
| April 2025 | 74 | 54.4° / 47.9° | 8.8h | 13d | 0.3" | 9 |
| May 2025 | 77 | 58.4° / 49.4° | 10.9h | 12d | 0.14" | 11 |
| June 2025 | 70 | 56.8° / 50° | 9h | 24d | 0" | 6 |
| July 2025 | 67 | 57.1° / 52.4° | 7.6h | 29d | 0" | 0 |
| August 2025 | 74 | 61.9° / 55° | 8.2h | 22d | 0" | 10 |
| September 2025 | 76 | 63.8° / 57.4° | 7.5h | 22d | 0.07" | 8 |
| October 2025 | 78 | 63.1° / 55° | 7.2h | 7d | 0.81" | 17 |
| November 2025 | 71 | 58.4° / 51.6° | 6h | 11d | 3.15" | 7 |
| December 2025 | 63 | 52.9° / 46.3° | 5h | 13d | 4.85" | 6 |
| January 2026 | 76 | 57.6° / 49.6° | 6.5h | 2d | 4.37" | 19 |
| February 2026 | 71 | 57.8° / 50.1° | 6.2h | 4d | 5.14" | 13 |
| March 2026 | 85 | 64.3° / 52.5° | 9.5h | 5d | 0.05" | 23 |
| April 2026 | 76 | 58.5° / 50.7° | 9h | 6d | 3.59" | 15 |
| May 2026 | 74 | 58.3° / 50.7° | 10.3h | 18d | 0.69" | 10 |
| June 2026 | 73 | 59.8° / 52.6° | 9.3h | 19d | 0.01" | 10 |
| July 2026 | 74 | 60.8° / 53.7° | 9.8h | 20d | 0" | 11 |
| August 2026 | 69 | 60.4° / 54.6° | 7.1h | 29d | 0" | 1 |
| September 2026 | 78 | 63.2° / 55.8° | 8.6h | 12d | 0.14" | 14 |
| October 2026 | 82 | 64.9° / 55.4° | 8h | 8d | 0.21" | 24 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Rodeo Beach climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Rodeo 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 Rodeo 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 Rodeo Beach, the warmest typical hour is 6 PM in October (61°F). The coldest is 7 AM in December (51°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Rodeo Beach in 66% of 6 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 37% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (12%).
- Wind: From February through October, wind at Rodeo Beach typically builds after 1 PM. In April it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 16 mph with 53% of those hours windy, while mornings average 8 mph.
- Cloud Cover: November middays are the clearest at Rodeo Beach (25% average cloud cover), and August middays are the cloudiest (52%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Rodeo Beach comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 776 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Rodeo Beach
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Rodeo 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 Rodeo 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 Rodeo 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 Rodeo 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 Rodeo 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 Rodeo Beach
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Rodeo Beach averaged a high of 65°F, 2°F warmer than October 2025 (63°F).
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 22.8 in. of rain to Rodeo Beach, 74% of the 30.6 in. normal.
Location Details
Rodeo Beach weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Rodeo Beach
What is the weather like at Rodeo Beach today?
It's 58°F at Rodeo Beach right now, with a comfort score of 80 (great). Monday's forecast high at Rodeo Beach is 56°F, 6°F below the mid November normal of 62°F. The best window today is 9 AM to noon, at about 53°F with a 7 mph wind (comfort 58).
What is the best month to visit Rodeo Beach?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Rodeo Beach are September, October, and August. The best hours are usually 8 AM to 11 AM in September, 8 AM to 11 AM in October, and noon to 3 PM in August. The warm season lasts about 3.9 months, from Jun 29 to Oct 24, when the average high is 69°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 72°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Rodeo Beach?
September is the warmest month at Rodeo Beach, with an average high of 72°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 44°F.
When does the fog burn off at Rodeo Beach?
Fog or low cloud covers Rodeo Beach in 66% of 6 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 37% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (12%).
When is it windiest at Rodeo Beach?
From February through October, wind at Rodeo Beach typically builds after 1 PM. In April it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 16 mph with 53% of those hours windy, while mornings average 8 mph.
How cold is the ocean at Rodeo Beach?
The nearest NOAA water-temperature station, Offshore San Francisco (18 nautical miles west), last read 65°F.
How much rain does Rodeo Beach get?
December is the wettest month (6.6 in.), out of about 30.6 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Oct 30 to Apr 15, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 88% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 22.8 in. of rain to Rodeo Beach, 74% of the 30.6 in. normal.
How does Rodeo Beach weather compare with Marin Headlands?
Marin Headlands, 0.7 miles away, runs about 6°F warmer than Rodeo Beach on summer afternoons.
Can you swim at Rodeo Beach?
It isn't recommended. The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy tells Headlands visitors not to plan on swimming because the ocean water is cold and dangerous.
What kind of place is Rodeo Beach?
Rodeo Beach is a short, pebbly cove at the mouth of Rodeo Valley in the Marin Headlands, about three miles northwest of the Golden Gate Bridge. The National Park Service manages it beside old Fort Cronkhite. The beach is a narrow bar between the ocean and Rodeo Lagoon, a wetland closed to people and pets. Its sand is mixed with red and green pebbles that can include jasper, carnelian, and agate. The cliffs of Bird Island just offshore are a major pelican roost.
What is Rodeo Beach weather like in November?
November at Rodeo Beach averages a high of 62°F and a low of 48°F, with 3.3 in. of rain over about 8 rainy days. About 14% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 9 mph.
More about Rodeo 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, Golden Gate NRA: Fort Cronkhite (updated Dec 21, 2025) (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, Rodeo Beach (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, Marin Headlands (accessed 2026-10-27)
- National Park Service, Golden Gate NRA: Weather (updated Apr 12, 2023) (accessed 2026-10-27)
Rendered 2026-11-15T12:04:16.382Z.