Salt Point State Park Weather
Park • San Francisco Bay Area
Salt Point State Park takes in about six miles of broken Sonoma coastline north of Fort Ross, where sandstone headlands weathered into honeycomb tafoni drop into kelp-filled coves. California State Parks runs campgrounds at Gerstle Cove and Woodside, and the water off Gerstle Cove is one of California's oldest marine reserves, popular with divers. Inland, more than 20 miles of trails climb through grassland and forest to a pygmy forest on the park's highest ground. The Kruse Rhododendron reserve adjoins it across Highway 1.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Salt Point State Park weather today and through the year
It's 59°F at Salt Point State Park right now (feels like 54°F), with 15 mph wind and a comfort score of 58. Today's forecast high at Salt Point State Park is 60°F, close to the mid November normal of 60°F. No fog in the forecast for today at Salt Point State Park. In November, 24% of morning hours here are foggy on average. The best window today is 2 PM to 5 PM, at about 51°F with a 4 mph wind (comfort 73).
August is the warmest month at Salt Point State Park, with an average high of 68°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 43°F. December is the wettest month (9.2 in.), out of about 43.4 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Salt Point State Park are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually 4 PM to 7 PM in September, 2 PM to 5 PM in August, and 3 PM to 6 PM in October.
Salt Point is a run of rocky promontories pushed out into the open Pacific, so the bluffs take the marine layer and ocean wind head-on. California State Parks warns that the weather here is unpredictable because of rugged ocean conditions and a tendency to fog even in summer. Ocean wind can make a July afternoon feel cold. The inland heat that bakes Austin Creek and the Russian River valley, 15 miles southeast, rarely reaches this shore.
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 Salt Point State Park in the next few days
Active National Weather Service alerts
- Small Craft Advisory until Mon 3:00 PM
Fog
No fog in the forecast for today at Salt Point State Park. In November, 24% of morning hours here are foggy on average.
Best time to go
The best window today is 2 PM to 5 PM, at about 51°F with a 4 mph wind (comfort 73).
Hiking conditions
Best hiking day this week: Monday, with 7 daylight hours that are dry, 45 to 80°F, and under 18 mph wind. 3 of the next 7 days have at least 4 such hours.
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Salt Point State Park, with a 58°F high and midday comfort near 66. Tuesday looks weakest (53).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (96%, about 1.35 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Salt Point State Park right now
Light rain and 59° at Salt Point State Park right now.
About the live weather map for Salt Point State Park
The map centers on Salt Point 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.
Salt Point State Park vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Salt Point 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 Salt Point State Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea Ranch | 12.1 mi | +12°F | 15% | 8 mph | about 12°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (15% vs 41% of morning hours) |
| Jenner Headlands | 13.5 mi | +17°F | 33% | 8 mph | about 17°F warmer on summer afternoons and about 30% more rain a year |
| Goat Rock State Beach | 13.8 mi | +9°F | 34% | 11 mph | about 9°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| Austin Creek State Recreation Area | 15 mi | +27°F | 25% | 7 mph | about 27°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (25% vs 41% of morning hours) |
| Cloverdale | 23.7 mi | +35°F | 18% | 9 mph | about 35°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (18% vs 41% of morning hours) |
| Geyserville | 24.9 mi | +33°F | 22% | 9 mph | about 33°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (22% vs 41% of morning hours) |
Places with a climate like Salt Point State Park's
- Shell Beach (16 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Goat Rock State Beach (14 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Jenner (14 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Salt Point State Park climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Salt Point 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 Salt Point 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.
Salt Point State Park weather by month
August is the warmest month at Salt Point State Park, with an average high of 68°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 43°F. December is the wettest month (9.2 in.), out of about 43.4 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in July, when fog or low cloud covers 48% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. November has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 28% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Salt Point State Park are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually 4 PM to 7 PM in September, 2 PM to 5 PM in August, and 3 PM to 6 PM in October.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F | 43°F | 8.2 in | 12 | 29% | 39% | 9 mph | 9.8 h | 22 |
| Feb | 58°F | 44°F | 8.0 in | 12 | 18% | 29% | 12 mph | 10.7 h | 19 |
| Mar | 58°F | 44°F | 6.0 in | 10 | 21% | 32% | 11 mph | 11.9 h | 14 |
| Apr | 60°F | 45°F | 3.2 in | 8 | 22% | 29% | 12 mph | 13.2 h | 43 |
| May | 62°F | 47°F | 1.5 in | 5 | 25% | 30% | 13 mph | 14.3 h | 47 |
| Jun | 65°F | 49°F | 0.4 in | 3 | 33% | 30% | 12 mph | 14.8 h | 59 |
| Jul | 67°F | 51°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 48% | 45% | 10 mph | 14.6 h | 65 |
| Aug | 68°F | 51°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 41% | 43% | 9 mph | 13.6 h | 72 |
| Sep | 68°F | 51°F | 0.2 in | 2 | 38% | 39% | 9 mph | 12.3 h | 73 |
| Oct | 66°F | 49°F | 2.0 in | 6 | 33% | 31% | 9 mph | 11.1 h | 69 |
| Nov | 60°F | 46°F | 4.5 in | 9 | 24% | 28% | 9 mph | 10.0 h | 60 |
| Dec | 57°F | 43°F | 9.2 in | 13 | 29% | 41% | 9 mph | 9.5 h | 16 |
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 Salt Point State Park average about 8°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 Salt Point State Park has actually seen.
What makes Salt Point State Park's weather different
Among the 58 San Francisco Bay Area parks we track, Salt Point State Park has the 2nd-coolest summer afternoons.
- #2of 58
coolest summer afternoonsamong San Francisco Bay Area parks
When the fog burns off
59%of 5 AM hours foggy in July
Fog or low cloud covers Salt Point State Park in 59% of 5 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 35% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (18%).
When the wind picks up
noonwhen afternoon wind builds, February–October
From February through October, wind at Salt Point State Park typically builds after noon. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 13 mph with 42% of those hours windy, while mornings average 9 mph.
Daylight
9.5–14.8 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Salt Point State Park range from about 9.5 hours in December to 14.8 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:37 PM, and in mid-December around 4:58 PM.
Seasons at Salt Point State Park
- Warm seasonJul 2 – Oct 7 · highs 66°F+
The warm season lasts about 3.2 months, from Jul 2 to Oct 7, when the average high is 66°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 68°F.
- Cool seasonDec 3 – Mar 2 · highs 58°F or lower
The cool season runs from Dec 3 to Mar 2, when the average high is 58°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Dec 8, with an average low near 43°F.
- Rainy seasonOct 25 – Apr 26 · 90% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Oct 25 to Apr 26, when a day has at least a 22% 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 16 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, Salt Point State Park averaged no days at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 22 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 23 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 163 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Sep 9, 2026 (73°F) and the coldest night was Feb 18, 2026 (39°F). The wettest day was Nov 21, 2024 (5.47 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 45 mph on Feb 15, 2026.
- 0days at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 22days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 23afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 163mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day73°FSep 9, 2026
- Coldest night39°FFeb 18, 2026
- Wettest day5.47 inNov 21, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust45 mphFeb 15, 2026
What shapes Salt Point State Park's weather
Salt Point's coastline is more broken than the open terrace at Sea Ranch to the north. Coves such as Gerstle and Fisk Mill sit behind headlands. On a windy day the sheltered side of a point can feel noticeably calmer than the exposed bluff above it.
The odd, stunted trees at the top of the park are not shaped by wind. State Parks says the pygmy forest of small cypress, pine, and redwood grows on highly acidic, nutrient-poor soil, which stunts it. Weather does carve the rocks, though. Tafoni form as seasonal wetting and drying weakens the sandstone into pits, knobs, and ribs.
State Parks describes the North Coast here as having mild, wet winters and cool, foggy summers, with weather that can change quickly. Winter is when Pacific storms bring the rain. The long dry summer is kept damp and gray by fog rather than by rain.
Tips for visiting Salt Point State Park
Stay well back from the bluff edge
State Parks warns that large rogue waves can sweep people off the rocks in all seasons and ocean conditions, and that bluff and ocean deaths are common here.
Dress in layers, even in summer
Fog often covers this coast and ocean winds can make summer days cold.
Fill the tank before you come
The nearest gas is about 18 miles away in Gualala or Jenner. The Fort Ross store, about 5 miles south, has basic supplies.
Keep dogs to the campground and paved areas
Leashed dogs may use the campground, paved roads, and trails from the campground to the cove, but not hiking trails or beaches.
Take nothing from Gerstle Cove
Gerstle Cove is a no-take marine reserve. In the surrounding Salt Point marine conservation area, some fishing is allowed under state rules.
Salt Point State Park through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Bird-watching picks up from March, and the rhododendrons at Kruse reserve start blooming around mid-April and can last into mid-June.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer is cool and foggy, with ocean wind that chills the bluffs. Campers should pack warm layers for damp mornings and evenings.
- Fall (September–October)
- Bird-watching along the coastal trail stays popular through October, and fall often brings clearer days than midsummer.
- Winter (November–February)
- Winter is the wet season. From November to January, gray whales pass through the kelp forests on their way south.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Scuba diving and snorkeling: Diving needs a small swell and light wind. State Parks says the ocean here is often too dangerous even for wading and should be entered only by very experienced, well-trained divers.
- Hiking the Salt Point Trail to Stump Beach: This moderate 3.3-mile out-and-back follows the bluffs. It is fine in fog, but the open bluff is cold and windy in the afternoon.
- Exploring tafoni at Gerstle and Fisk Mill coves: Go on a calm day at low tide, and stay well back from wave-washed rock.
- Rhododendron walks at Kruse reserve: Bloom runs roughly mid-April to mid-June. The redwood forest stays cool and damp, so foggy days are fine here.
Official sources and current conditions
- California State Parks: Salt Point State Park
- California State Parks: Kruse Rhododendron State Natural Reserve
- CDFW: Gerstle Cove SMR and Salt Point SMCA rules
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 | 69 | 57.6° / 52.5° | 5.8h | 5d | 12.76" | 9 |
| December 2024 | 64 | 56.8° / 52.5° | 4.9h | 10d | 8.45" | 3 |
| January 2025 | 76 | 55.9° / 49.9° | 6.7h | 6d | 0.42" | 13 |
| February 2025 | 66 | 54.8° / 49.6° | 5.5h | 8d | 10.33" | 8 |
| March 2025 | 72 | 54.2° / 49.5° | 7.4h | 7d | 4.16" | 11 |
| April 2025 | 75 | 54.5° / 50.1° | 9.7h | 16d | 0.6" | 10 |
| May 2025 | 80 | 55.9° / 51° | 12h | 5d | 0.15" | 17 |
| June 2025 | 76 | 55.9° / 51.5° | 11.1h | 12d | 0" | 9 |
| July 2025 | 72 | 56.8° / 52.1° | 9.6h | 22d | 0" | 3 |
| August 2025 | 76 | 59.1° / 53.4° | 9.7h | 15d | 0" | 13 |
| September 2025 | 78 | 61.8° / 56° | 8.3h | 20d | 0.22" | 13 |
| October 2025 | 73 | 60.1° / 54.7° | 6.7h | 15d | 1.09" | 11 |
| November 2025 | 67 | 57.7° / 52.5° | 5.7h | 14d | 4.4" | 5 |
| December 2025 | 62 | 55.1° / 50.4° | 4.2h | 23d | 7.12" | 2 |
| January 2026 | 71 | 56.1° / 51.1° | 6.4h | 5d | 5.78" | 10 |
| February 2026 | 68 | 56.7° / 51.4° | 5.9h | 5d | 5.23" | 9 |
| March 2026 | 83 | 57.4° / 51.6° | 9.7h | 3d | 0.02" | 22 |
| April 2026 | 77 | 55.6° / 50.9° | 9.2h | 6d | 3.3" | 18 |
| May 2026 | 77 | 54.8° / 51° | 11h | 12d | 0.3" | 9 |
| June 2026 | 76 | 56.6° / 52.1° | 10.9h | 13d | 0.01" | 11 |
| July 2026 | 77 | 57.8° / 53.2° | 10.9h | 9d | 0.04" | 13 |
| August 2026 | 74 | 58.2° / 54.1° | 9.7h | 22d | 0" | 8 |
| September 2026 | 78 | 60.8° / 55.5° | 9.5h | 15d | 0.17" | 14 |
| October 2026 | 79 | 59.9° / 54.8° | 7.6h | 7d | 0.1" | 17 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Salt Point State Park climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Salt Point 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 Salt Point 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 Salt Point State Park, the warmest typical hour is 5 PM in September (59°F). The coldest is 7 AM in March (51°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Salt Point State Park in 59% of 5 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 35% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (18%).
- Wind: From February through October, wind at Salt Point State Park typically builds after noon. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 13 mph with 42% of those hours windy, while mornings average 9 mph.
- Cloud Cover: November middays are the clearest at Salt Point State Park (28% average cloud cover), and July middays are the cloudiest (45%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Salt Point State Park comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 870 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Salt Point State Park
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Salt Point 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 Salt Point 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 Salt Point 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 Salt Point 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 Salt Point 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 Salt Point State Park
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Salt Point State Park averaged a high of 60°F, about the same as October 2025 (60°F).
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 27.5 in. of rain to Salt Point State Park, 63% of the 43.4 in. normal.
Location Details
Salt Point State Park weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Salt Point State Park
What is the weather like at Salt Point State Park today?
It's 59°F at Salt Point State Park right now, with a comfort score of 58 (fair). Today's forecast high at Salt Point State Park is 60°F, close to the mid November normal of 60°F. The best window today is 2 PM to 5 PM, at about 51°F with a 4 mph wind (comfort 73).
What is the best month to visit Salt Point State Park?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Salt Point State Park are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually 4 PM to 7 PM in September, 2 PM to 5 PM in August, and 3 PM to 6 PM in October. The warm season lasts about 3.2 months, from Jul 2 to Oct 7, when the average high is 66°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 68°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Salt Point State Park?
August is the warmest month at Salt Point State Park, with an average high of 68°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 43°F.
When does the fog burn off at Salt Point State Park?
Fog or low cloud covers Salt Point State Park in 59% of 5 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 35% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (18%).
When is it windiest at Salt Point State Park?
From February through October, wind at Salt Point State Park typically builds after noon. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 13 mph with 42% of those hours windy, while mornings average 9 mph.
How much rain does Salt Point State Park get?
December is the wettest month (9.2 in.), out of about 43.4 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Oct 25 to Apr 26, when a day has at least a 22% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 90% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 27.5 in. of rain to Salt Point State Park, 63% of the 43.4 in. normal.
Can you swim at Salt Point State Park?
State Parks advises against it. The park says the ocean here is often too dangerous for swimming or even wading, and the water is very cold and swift. Only very experienced, well-trained people should enter it. Rogue waves can also reach people on the rocks in any season.
What kind of place is Salt Point State Park?
Salt Point State Park takes in about six miles of broken Sonoma coastline north of Fort Ross, where sandstone headlands weathered into honeycomb tafoni drop into kelp-filled coves. California State Parks runs campgrounds at Gerstle Cove and Woodside, and the water off Gerstle Cove is one of California's oldest marine reserves, popular with divers. Inland, more than 20 miles of trails climb through grassland and forest to a pygmy forest on the park's highest ground. The Kruse Rhododendron reserve adjoins it across Highway 1.
What is Salt Point State Park weather like in November?
November at Salt Point State Park averages a high of 60°F and a low of 46°F, with 4.5 in. of rain over about 9 rainy days. About 24% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 9 mph.
More about Salt Point State Park weather
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, Salt Point State Park (accessed 2026-10-27)
- California State Parks, Salt Point State Park info sheet (Oct 2025) (accessed 2026-10-27)
- California State Parks, Kruse Rhododendron State Natural Reserve (accessed 2026-10-27)
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Gerstle Cove SMR and Salt Point SMCA (accessed 2026-10-27)
Rendered 2026-11-15T12:16:27.852Z.