Salmon Creek Beach Weather
Beach • San Francisco Bay Area
Nearly two miles of open sand set Salmon Creek Beach apart from the small coves to its north. The beach runs from the Bodega Dunes, just north of Bodega Bay, to the point where Salmon Creek meets the ocean. It is part of Sonoma Coast State Park. In summer, sand seals off the creek mouth and a lagoon forms behind the beach. Surfers split the shore into North and South Salmon.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Salmon Creek Beach weather today and through the year
It's 59°F at Salmon Creek Beach right now (feels like 54°F), with 14 mph wind and a comfort score of 77. Today's forecast high at Salmon Creek Beach is 60°F, close to the mid November normal of 61°F. Fog is forecast today until about 10 AM at Salmon Creek Beach. In November, fog here often lingers all day. The best window today is 2 PM to 5 PM, at about 50°F with a 5 mph wind (comfort 56).
September is the warmest month at Salmon Creek Beach, with an average high of 67°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 44°F. December is the wettest month (9.9 in.), out of about 47.6 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Salmon Creek Beach are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually 8 AM to 11 AM in September, 1 PM to 4 PM in August, and 8 AM to 11 AM in October.
Salmon Creek faces west into the open Pacific, and the low dunes behind it offer little shelter from the northwest wind. That makes it breezier and often foggier than Doran Beach, which faces south inside Bodega Bay a few miles away. It is also more exposed than Schoolhouse and the other small coves tucked between headlands to the north.
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 Salmon Creek Beach in the next few days
Active National Weather Service alerts
- High Surf Advisory until Tue 4:00 AM
Fog
Fog is forecast today until about 10 AM at Salmon Creek Beach. In November, fog here often lingers all day.
Best time to go
The best window today is 2 PM to 5 PM, at about 50°F with a 5 mph wind (comfort 56).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Salmon Creek Beach, with a 59°F high and midday comfort near 76. Today looks weakest (50).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (90%, about 0.87 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Salmon Creek Beach right now
Overcast and 59° at Salmon Creek Beach right now.
About the live weather map for Salmon Creek Beach
The map centers on Salmon Creek 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.
Salmon Creek Beach vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Salmon Creek 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 Salmon Creek Beach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bodega Bay | 1.5 mi | +9°F | 36% | 12 mph | about 9°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (36% vs 49% of morning hours) |
| Schoolhouse Beach | 2 mi | same | 51% | 9 mph | a very similar climate |
| Wright's Beach | 4.2 mi | +1°F | 47% | 9 mph | a very similar climate |
| Austin Creek State Recreation Area | 15.3 mi | +29°F | 25% | 7 mph | about 29°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (25% vs 49% of morning hours) |
| Windsor | 19.3 mi | +31°F | 30% | 9 mph | about 31°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (30% vs 49% of morning hours) |
| Healdsburg | 21.1 mi | +33°F | 25% | 9 mph | about 33°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (25% vs 49% of morning hours) |
Places with a climate like Salmon Creek Beach's
- Limantour Beach (24 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Salt Point State Park (21 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Muir Beach (43 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Salmon Creek Beach climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Salmon Creek 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 Salmon Creek 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.
Salmon Creek Beach weather by month
September is the warmest month at Salmon Creek Beach, with an average high of 67°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 44°F. December is the wettest month (9.9 in.), out of about 47.6 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in July, when fog or low cloud covers 56% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. November has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 30% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Salmon Creek Beach are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually 8 AM to 11 AM in September, 1 PM to 4 PM in August, and 8 AM to 11 AM in October.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 56°F | 44°F | 9.4 in | 13 | 33% | 39% | 10 mph | 9.8 h | 12 |
| Feb | 58°F | 45°F | 9.2 in | 13 | 21% | 30% | 13 mph | 10.7 h | 8 |
| Mar | 59°F | 45°F | 6.4 in | 11 | 26% | 36% | 13 mph | 11.9 h | 9 |
| Apr | 60°F | 46°F | 3.4 in | 8 | 25% | 35% | 14 mph | 13.2 h | 37 |
| May | 62°F | 48°F | 1.5 in | 5 | 32% | 42% | 14 mph | 14.3 h | 41 |
| Jun | 65°F | 50°F | 0.4 in | 3 | 41% | 41% | 13 mph | 14.8 h | 50 |
| Jul | 65°F | 51°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 56% | 53% | 10 mph | 14.6 h | 56 |
| Aug | 66°F | 52°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 49% | 54% | 10 mph | 13.6 h | 67 |
| Sep | 67°F | 52°F | 0.2 in | 2 | 47% | 46% | 10 mph | 12.3 h | 69 |
| Oct | 66°F | 50°F | 2.2 in | 6 | 37% | 38% | 10 mph | 11.1 h | 61 |
| Nov | 61°F | 47°F | 5.0 in | 9 | 27% | 30% | 10 mph | 10.0 h | 39 |
| Dec | 57°F | 44°F | 9.9 in | 13 | 34% | 41% | 10 mph | 9.5 h | 10 |
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 Salmon Creek 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 Salmon Creek Beach has actually seen.
What makes Salmon Creek Beach's weather different
Among the 17 San Francisco Bay Area beaches we track, Salmon Creek Beach has the coolest summer afternoons.
- #1of 17
coolest summer afternoonsamong San Francisco Bay Area beaches
When the fog burns off
72%of 4 AM hours foggy in July
Fog or low cloud covers Salmon Creek Beach in 72% of 4 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 48% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (21%).
When the wind picks up
1 PMwhen afternoon wind builds, February–October
From February through October, wind at Salmon Creek Beach typically builds after 1 PM. In April it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 15 mph with 43% of those hours windy, while mornings average 9 mph.
Microclimate
+9°FBodega Bay, 1.5 mi away, on summer afternoons
Bodega Bay, 1.5 miles away, runs about 9°F warmer than Salmon Creek Beach on summer afternoons. It also has less summer morning fog, 36% of morning hours compared with 49%.
Daylight
9.5–14.8 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Salmon Creek Beach range from about 9.5 hours in December to 14.8 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:36 PM, and in mid-December around 4:57 PM.
Seasons at Salmon Creek Beach
- Warm seasonJun 8 – Oct 27 · highs 65°F+
The warm season lasts about 4.7 months, from Jun 8 to Oct 27, when the average high is 65°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 67°F.
- Cool seasonDec 3 – Feb 23 · highs 58°F or lower
The cool season runs from Dec 3 to Feb 23, when the average high is 58°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Jan 8, with an average low near 44°F.
- Rainy seasonOct 25 – Apr 24 · 90% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Oct 25 to Apr 24, when a day has at least a 23% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 90% of the year's rain.
The dark line marks today. Season dates come from the smoothed daily NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Counting from Oct. 1, a typical year has its first inch of rain by Oct 15 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, Salmon Creek Beach averaged no days at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 20 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 40 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 180 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Mar 25, 2025 (71°F) and the coldest night was Feb 20, 2026 (42°F). The wettest day was Nov 21, 2024 (5.16 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 53 mph on Mar 12, 2025.
- 0days at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 20days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 40afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 180mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day71°FMar 25, 2025
- Coldest night42°FFeb 20, 2026
- Wettest day5.16 inNov 21, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust53 mphMar 12, 2025
What shapes Salmon Creek Beach's weather
Salmon Creek's valley is a low corridor running inland from the beach past the village of Bodega toward Freestone. On summer afternoons and evenings, the marine layer of cool, foggy air slides up that valley. It forms over the cold water that wells up from the deep just offshore. Fog from this beach reaches farther inland than it does behind the cliff-backed beaches farther north.
The Salmon Creek lagoon follows the seasons. When the creek runs low in summer and waves pile sand across its mouth, the lagoon fills behind the beach. Winter storms and higher creek flow usually break it open again.
Tips for visiting Salmon Creek Beach
Leave dogs and campfires at home
Dogs and fires are banned on Salmon Creek Beach to protect threatened western snowy plovers.
Don't wade into the surf
State Parks says the Sonoma Coast is not for swimming because of rip currents, heavy surf, and sudden ground swells.
Ask questions at the ranger station
The Sonoma Coast State Park ranger station is on Highway 1 on the north side of Salmon Creek.
Bring a windbreak and layers
The weather turns quickly when fog rolls in, and this beach has little natural shelter.
Salmon Creek Beach through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Spring is often the windiest season, with cold water and choppy, wind-blown surf.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer brings foggy mornings, breezy afternoons, and the seasonal lagoon behind the beach once sand closes the creek mouth.
- Fall (September–October)
- Fall brings lighter wind and, by October, clearer days than summer, with cleaner surf on calm mornings.
- Winter (November–February)
- Winter brings storm surf and most of the year's rain. Higher creek flow usually reopens the mouth to the ocean.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Surfing: State Parks lists North and South Salmon as surf spots. Clean swell and light wind, more common on fall mornings, make the best sessions.
- Surf fishing and beachcombing: Nearly two miles of sand make for long walks. Calm, low-wind mornings are the most comfortable.
- Picnicking: Picnics are best on fog-free afternoons in late summer and fall. Bring a windbreak for the afternoon northwest breeze.
Official sources and current conditions
- California State Parks: Sonoma Coast State Park
- Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods: Sonoma Coast State Park
- NWS forecast for Salmon Creek Beach
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 | 70 | 55.7° / 50.1° | 6.2h | 7d | 12.39" | 9 |
| December 2024 | 64 | 55.3° / 50° | 4.9h | 9d | 9.06" | 4 |
| January 2025 | 76 | 54.6° / 48.2° | 6.8h | 7d | 0.48" | 13 |
| February 2025 | 67 | 54.2° / 48° | 5.8h | 8d | 10.2" | 7 |
| March 2025 | 71 | 53.3° / 48.6° | 7.7h | 7d | 3.74" | 11 |
| April 2025 | 73 | 52.3° / 48.6° | 9.4h | 15d | 0.52" | 6 |
| May 2025 | 74 | 52.1° / 48.3° | 12.1h | 10d | 0.1" | 5 |
| June 2025 | 74 | 52.8° / 49.5° | 10.8h | 14d | 0" | 7 |
| July 2025 | 71 | 56.4° / 52.8° | 8.5h | 27d | 0.01" | 3 |
| August 2025 | 73 | 57.2° / 52.9° | 9.3h | 17d | 0" | 5 |
| September 2025 | 74 | 60.8° / 55.9° | 7.5h | 21d | 0.15" | 4 |
| October 2025 | 73 | 60.2° / 55.1° | 6.5h | 15d | 0.98" | 9 |
| November 2025 | 67 | 57.9° / 52.3° | 5.1h | 14d | 4.56" | 3 |
| December 2025 | 63 | 55.5° / 49.2° | 4.5h | 23d | 5.99" | 2 |
| January 2026 | 72 | 57.3° / 51° | 6.2h | 7d | 5.42" | 11 |
| February 2026 | 70 | 57.8° / 51.5° | 6.1h | 5d | 4.88" | 9 |
| March 2026 | 80 | 55.1° / 50.3° | 9.7h | 5d | 0.07" | 16 |
| April 2026 | 75 | 56.3° / 51.5° | 9.2h | 6d | 4.02" | 14 |
| May 2026 | 74 | 53.7° / 50.1° | 10.4h | 13d | 0.82" | 5 |
| June 2026 | 74 | 55.4° / 52° | 9.9h | 12d | 0.02" | 6 |
| July 2026 | 73 | 56.7° / 52.5° | 10.8h | 14d | 0" | 4 |
| August 2026 | 71 | 57.5° / 53.9° | 8.5h | 22d | 0" | 4 |
| September 2026 | 74 | 59.3° / 54.7° | 8.8h | 16d | 0.27" | 8 |
| October 2026 | 77 | 59.4° / 54.6° | 7.5h | 8d | 0.08" | 16 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Salmon Creek Beach climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Salmon Creek 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 Salmon Creek 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 Salmon Creek Beach, the warmest typical hour is 8 PM in September (58°F). The coldest is 7 AM in February (50°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Salmon Creek Beach in 72% of 4 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 48% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (21%).
- Wind: From February through October, wind at Salmon Creek Beach typically builds after 1 PM. In April it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 15 mph with 43% of those hours windy, while mornings average 9 mph.
- Cloud Cover: November middays are the clearest at Salmon Creek Beach (30% average cloud cover), and August middays are the cloudiest (54%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Salmon Creek Beach comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 802 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Salmon Creek Beach
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Salmon Creek 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 Salmon Creek 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 Salmon Creek 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 Salmon Creek 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 Salmon Creek 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 Salmon Creek Beach
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Salmon Creek Beach averaged a high of 59°F, about the same as October 2025 (60°F).
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 27.0 in. of rain to Salmon Creek Beach, 57% of the 47.6 in. normal.
Location Details
Salmon Creek Beach weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Salmon Creek Beach
What is the weather like at Salmon Creek Beach today?
It's 59°F at Salmon Creek Beach right now, with a comfort score of 77 (great). Today's forecast high at Salmon Creek Beach is 60°F, close to the mid November normal of 61°F. The best window today is 2 PM to 5 PM, at about 50°F with a 5 mph wind (comfort 56).
What is the best month to visit Salmon Creek Beach?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Salmon Creek Beach are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually 8 AM to 11 AM in September, 1 PM to 4 PM in August, and 8 AM to 11 AM in October. The warm season lasts about 4.7 months, from Jun 8 to Oct 27, when the average high is 65°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 67°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Salmon Creek Beach?
September is the warmest month at Salmon Creek Beach, with an average high of 67°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 44°F.
When does the fog burn off at Salmon Creek Beach?
Fog or low cloud covers Salmon Creek Beach in 72% of 4 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 48% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (21%).
When is it windiest at Salmon Creek Beach?
From February through October, wind at Salmon Creek Beach typically builds after 1 PM. In April it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 15 mph with 43% of those hours windy, while mornings average 9 mph.
How much rain does Salmon Creek Beach get?
December is the wettest month (9.9 in.), out of about 47.6 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Oct 25 to Apr 24, when a day has at least a 23% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 90% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 27.0 in. of rain to Salmon Creek Beach, 57% of the 47.6 in. normal.
How does Salmon Creek Beach weather compare with Bodega Bay?
Bodega Bay, 1.5 miles away, runs about 9°F warmer than Salmon Creek Beach on summer afternoons. It also has less summer morning fog, 36% of morning hours compared with 49%.
Is it safe to swim at Salmon Creek Beach?
No. California State Parks says the Sonoma Coast is not for swimming because of strong rip currents, heavy surf, and sudden ground swells. Lifeguards are on duty only in peak season and may not reach every area quickly. Keep children back from the highest water line, and never turn your back to the ocean.
What kind of place is Salmon Creek Beach?
Nearly two miles of open sand set Salmon Creek Beach apart from the small coves to its north. The beach runs from the Bodega Dunes, just north of Bodega Bay, to the point where Salmon Creek meets the ocean. It is part of Sonoma Coast State Park. In summer, sand seals off the creek mouth and a lagoon forms behind the beach. Surfers split the shore into North and South Salmon.
What is Salmon Creek Beach weather like in November?
November at Salmon Creek Beach averages a high of 61°F and a low of 47°F, with 5.0 in. of rain over about 9 rainy days. About 27% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 10 mph.
More about Salmon Creek 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.
- Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods, Sonoma Coast coastal features (accessed 2026-10-27)
- California State Parks, Sonoma Coast State Park (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods, Sonoma Coast State Park (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods, Sonoma Coast climate (accessed 2026-10-27)
Rendered 2026-11-15T12:16:30.106Z.