Sanborn County Park Weather
Park • San Francisco Bay Area
Sanborn County Park covers the steep eastern face of the Santa Cruz Mountains between Saratoga and Skyline Boulevard. It drops from the ridge near Castle Rock through redwood and tanoak forest toward Highway 9. Santa Clara County Parks manages it. Castle Rock's open sandstone ridge next door bans dogs, so Sanborn is the shaded, dog-friendly side of the mountain. It has campgrounds, picnic areas, and trails that climb to the Skyline Trail.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Sanborn County Park weather today and through the year
It's 45°F at Sanborn County Park right now (feels like 39°F), with 10 mph wind and a comfort score of 54. Today's forecast high at Sanborn County Park is 51°F, 10°F below the mid November normal of 61°F. Fog is forecast to linger into the afternoon today at Sanborn County Park. In November, fog here usually thins by 3 PM. The best window today is 2 PM to 5 PM, at about 43°F with a 5 mph wind (comfort 43).
August is the warmest month at Sanborn County Park, with an average high of 81°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 39°F. January is the wettest month (8.8 in.), out of about 43.3 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Sanborn County Park are July, September, and August. The best hours are usually 9 AM to noon in July, 3 PM to 6 PM in September, and 9 AM to noon in August.
Sanborn sits on the inland side of the Skyline ridge, on slopes that climb toward the crest. The ridge blocks most Pacific fog, so the park rarely gets the gray summer mornings of the Santa Cruz coast. Its weather comes instead from the tall redwoods and the steep, east-facing slope.
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 Sanborn County Park in the next few days
No active National Weather Service alerts for this location.
Fog
Fog is forecast to linger into the afternoon today at Sanborn County Park. In November, fog here usually thins by 3 PM.
Best time to go
The best window today is 2 PM to 5 PM, at about 43°F with a 5 mph wind (comfort 43).
Hiking conditions
Best hiking day this week: Friday, with 2 daylight hours that are dry, 45 to 80°F, and under 18 mph wind. 0 of the next 7 days have at least 4 such hours.
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Sanborn County Park, with a 49°F high and midday comfort near 57. Thursday looks weakest (38).
Better weather nearby
It's 45°F with a comfort score of 54 at Sanborn County Park right now. Pescadero Creek County Park, 13 miles away, is 56°F with a comfort score of 80. See that forecast
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (88%, about 0.47 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Sanborn County Park right now
Overcast and 45° at Sanborn County Park right now. Pescadero Creek County Park, 13 mi away, is 56° and more comfortable.
About the live weather map for Sanborn County Park
The map centers on Sanborn County 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.
Sanborn County Park vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Sanborn County 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 Sanborn County Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castle Rock State Park | 0.8 mi | same | 12% | 6 mph | same 3 km weather-model cell, so our hourly data cannot tell them apart |
| Saratoga | 4.3 mi | +8°F | 10% | 8 mph | 2,441 ft lower and about 8°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| Los Gatos | 6.7 mi | +9°F | 8% | 8 mph | about 9°F warmer on summer afternoons and 2,504 ft lower |
| Año Nuevo State Park | 15.7 mi | -18°F | 42% | 14 mph | about 18°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (42% vs 12% of morning hours) |
| Año Nuevo Point | 16.1 mi | -18°F | 42% | 14 mph | about 18°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (42% vs 12% of morning hours) |
| Purisima Creek Redwoods | 20.2 mi | -12°F | 57% | 7 mph | more summer morning fog (57% vs 12% of morning hours) and about 12°F cooler on summer afternoons |
Places with a climate like Sanborn County Park's
- Henry W. Coe State Park (31 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Fairfax (60 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Robert Louis Stevenson State Park (103 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Sanborn County Park climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Sanborn County 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 Sanborn County 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.
Sanborn County Park weather by month
August is the warmest month at Sanborn County Park, with an average high of 81°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 39°F. January is the wettest month (8.8 in.), out of about 43.3 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in May, when fog or low cloud covers 28% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. July has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 10% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Sanborn County Park are July, September, and August. The best hours are usually 9 AM to noon in July, 3 PM to 6 PM in September, and 9 AM to noon in August.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 56°F | 40°F | 8.8 in | 12 | 22% | 31% | 9 mph | 9.9 h | 20 |
| Feb | 56°F | 39°F | 8.5 in | 12 | 20% | 28% | 10 mph | 10.8 h | 13 |
| Mar | 59°F | 39°F | 6.5 in | 11 | 22% | 33% | 9 mph | 11.9 h | 21 |
| Apr | 62°F | 41°F | 3.0 in | 7 | 25% | 27% | 8 mph | 13.1 h | 57 |
| May | 68°F | 45°F | 1.3 in | 5 | 28% | 24% | 8 mph | 14.2 h | 72 |
| Jun | 75°F | 49°F | 0.3 in | 2 | 13% | 13% | 6 mph | 14.7 h | 89 |
| Jul | 81°F | 54°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 10% | 10% | 5 mph | 14.5 h | 94 |
| Aug | 81°F | 54°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 13% | 11% | 5 mph | 13.5 h | 93 |
| Sep | 79°F | 53°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 14% | 14% | 6 mph | 12.3 h | 94 |
| Oct | 72°F | 49°F | 1.8 in | 6 | 11% | 14% | 7 mph | 11.1 h | 81 |
| Nov | 61°F | 42°F | 4.3 in | 9 | 15% | 21% | 8 mph | 10.1 h | 59 |
| Dec | 55°F | 39°F | 8.8 in | 12 | 26% | 31% | 9 mph | 9.6 h | 13 |
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.
What makes Sanborn County Park's weather different
Among the 58 San Francisco Bay Area parks we track, Sanborn County Park has the calmest summer afternoons.
- #1of 58
calmest summer afternoonsamong San Francisco Bay Area parks
When the fog burns off
2 PMwhen May fog usually thins (29% foggy at 9 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers Sanborn County Park in 29% of 9 AM hours in May, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 2 PM. July mornings are the least foggy (10%).
Wind
8 mphtypical afternoon wind, with no strong daily build-up
Sanborn County Park has no strong afternoon wind build-up. Afternoons average about 8 mph year-round, and February is the windiest month, with hourly averages near 10 mph.
Elevation
+9°Fsummer afternoons at Los Gatos, 2,504 ft down
Los Gatos sits 2,504 ft lower, 6.7 miles away. Its summer highs average 9°F warmer than Sanborn County Park.
Model resolution
2 placesshare one 3 km NOAA HRRR grid cell
Sanborn County Park shares one 3 km grid cell in NOAA's HRRR model with Castle Rock State Park. The hourly fog, wind, cloud, and temperature patterns on this site are the same for both. Real differences between them come from hills, elevation, and wind exposure that the model cannot resolve.
Daylight
9.6–14.7 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Sanborn County Park range from about 9.6 hours in December to 14.7 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:29 PM, and in mid-December around 4:56 PM.
Seasons at Sanborn County Park
- Warm seasonJun 29 – Sep 28 · highs 77°F+
The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jun 29 to Sep 28, when the average high is 77°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 81°F.
- Cool seasonDec 1 – Mar 3 · highs 58°F or lower
The cool season runs from Dec 1 to Mar 3, when the average high is 58°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Dec 8, with an average low near 39°F.
- Rainy seasonOct 25 – Apr 25 · 92% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Oct 25 to Apr 25, when a day has at least a 21% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 92% 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 18 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, Sanborn County Park averaged 12 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 2 nights a year at or below freezing. It averaged 21 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 4 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 77 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Aug 21, 2025 (96°F) and the coldest night was Feb 18, 2026 (32°F). The wettest day was Feb 5, 2025 (3.92 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 50 mph on Mar 12, 2025.
- 12days at 90°F or hotter
- 2nights at or below freezing
- 21days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 4afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 77mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day96°FAug 21, 2025
- Coldest night32°FFeb 18, 2026
- Wettest day3.92 inFeb 5, 2025
- Strongest 2 PM gust50 mphMar 12, 2025
What shapes Sanborn County Park's weather
Sanborn's east-facing slopes catch the morning sun and fall into shade early in the afternoon, and the redwood canopy keeps the forest floor cool. On a hot day the trails here can feel far milder than Saratoga, a few miles down Sanborn Road, or the exposed rock at Castle Rock just uphill.
In winter, storms that cross the ridge still drop plenty of rain on these upper slopes, and the canyons hold damp, cool air. On clear nights cold air drains down the creek canyons toward Saratoga. The lower park can then be chilly on winter mornings while the ridge above stays milder.
Tips for visiting Sanborn County Park
Bring the dog here, not Castle Rock
Castle Rock State Park prohibits dogs, and State Parks points dog owners to Sanborn County Park, which allows them.
Reserve campsites well ahead
Santa Clara County Parks takes campsite reservations up to 6 months before arrival, with a 14-day limit per park in any 45-day period.
Head here on heat-wave afternoons
The redwood shade on the east-facing slope makes Sanborn one of the cooler places to hike when the Santa Clara Valley bakes.
Pack a layer for winter mornings
Cold air drains into the lower canyons on clear winter nights. Trailheads near the creeks can start out much chillier than the ridge above.
Sanborn County Park through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Creeks are still running and the forest is green. Trails in the shaded canyons stay muddy longer than the sunny ridge above.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer is camping season. The park sits above most of the coastal fog and below the hottest exposed ridgetops, and the redwood shade keeps afternoons comfortable.
- Fall (September–November)
- September is warm and dry, and the first storms usually arrive in October. Fire danger runs high in the dry forest before the rains.
- Winter (December–February)
- Winter is wet and cool under the trees, with cold mornings in the lower canyons. Storms can bring down branches and leave trails muddy.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Hiking under the redwoods: The forest trails are good almost any dry day. The shade makes it a hot-weather escape, and wet winter days leave the steep trails slick.
- Camping: Dry summer and early fall nights are best. Reservations open up to 6 months ahead.
- Dog walking: Sanborn allows dogs, unlike Castle Rock next door. The shaded trails are easier on dogs on warm days.
Official sources and current conditions
- Santa Clara County Parks: Sanborn County Park
- Santa Clara County Parks reservations
- California State Parks: Castle Rock State Park
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 | 75 | 55° / 44.6° | 7h | 4d | 5.73" | 16 |
| December 2024 | 70 | 57° / 47.4° | 5.4h | 11d | 7.93" | 14 |
| January 2025 | 78 | 54.8° / 43.6° | 7h | 6d | 0.17" | 19 |
| February 2025 | 68 | 54.3° / 43.7° | 6.2h | 8d | 13.65" | 13 |
| March 2025 | 66 | 53° / 41.5° | 7.2h | 13d | 5.56" | 14 |
| April 2025 | 83 | 61.3° / 46.5° | 9.6h | 8d | 0.82" | 20 |
| May 2025 | 92 | 70.7° / 51.2° | 12.3h | 6d | 0.13" | 28 |
| June 2025 | 97 | 77° / 59.7° | 13h | 0d | 0" | 30 |
| July 2025 | 96 | 78.5° / 59.7° | 12.6h | 1d | 0" | 31 |
| August 2025 | 94 | 84.4° / 66.4° | 11.6h | 1d | 0" | 31 |
| September 2025 | 89 | 76.2° / 60.3° | 9.6h | 5d | 0.43" | 25 |
| October 2025 | 86 | 66.1° / 52° | 7.9h | 4d | 2.92" | 21 |
| November 2025 | 76 | 61.5° / 50.6° | 6.4h | 9d | 8.32" | 18 |
| December 2025 | 72 | 59.7° / 50.2° | 5.5h | 10d | 6.99" | 19 |
| January 2026 | 76 | 60° / 49.5° | 6.3h | 6d | 8.3" | 20 |
| February 2026 | 69 | 58° / 46.9° | 6.3h | 8d | 10.32" | 13 |
| March 2026 | 93 | 70.9° / 56.1° | 9.6h | 2d | 0" | 29 |
| April 2026 | 78 | 59.9° / 46° | 8.5h | 9d | 6.35" | 18 |
| May 2026 | 89 | 67° / 50.9° | 11.7h | 4d | 0.48" | 25 |
| June 2026 | 94 | 73.3° / 56.7° | 12.5h | 4d | 0" | 28 |
| July 2026 | 95 | 78.3° / 62.4° | 11.9h | 3d | 0.04" | 31 |
| August 2026 | 94 | 80.4° / 65.9° | 11.2h | 4d | 0" | 30 |
| September 2026 | 94 | 73.8° / 57.2° | 10.4h | 3d | 0.11" | 30 |
| October 2026 | 87 | 71.1° / 57.8° | 8.4h | 4d | 0.28" | 27 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Sanborn County Park climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Sanborn County 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 Sanborn County 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 Sanborn County Park, the warmest typical hour is 3 PM in August (79°F). The coldest is 7 AM in February (43°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Sanborn County Park in 29% of 9 AM hours in May, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 2 PM. July mornings are the least foggy (10%).
- Wind: Sanborn County Park has no strong afternoon wind build-up. Afternoons average about 8 mph year-round, and February is the windiest month, with hourly averages near 10 mph.
- Cloud Cover: July middays are the clearest at Sanborn County Park (10% average cloud cover), and March middays are the cloudiest (33%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Sanborn County Park comes at 1 PM in July, averaging 1007 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Sanborn County Park
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Sanborn County 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 Sanborn County 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 Sanborn County 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 Sanborn County 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 Sanborn County 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 Sanborn County Park
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Sanborn County Park averaged a high of 71°F, 5°F warmer than October 2025 (66°F).
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 43.8 in. of rain to Sanborn County Park, 101% of the 43.3 in. normal.
Location Details
Sanborn County Park weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Sanborn County Park
What is the weather like at Sanborn County Park today?
It's 45°F at Sanborn County Park right now, with a comfort score of 54 (fair). Today's forecast high at Sanborn County Park is 51°F, 10°F below the mid November normal of 61°F. The best window today is 2 PM to 5 PM, at about 43°F with a 5 mph wind (comfort 43).
What is the best month to visit Sanborn County Park?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Sanborn County Park are July, September, and August. The best hours are usually 9 AM to noon in July, 3 PM to 6 PM in September, and 9 AM to noon in August. The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jun 29 to Sep 28, when the average high is 77°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 81°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Sanborn County Park?
August is the warmest month at Sanborn County Park, with an average high of 81°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 39°F.
When does the fog burn off at Sanborn County Park?
Fog or low cloud covers Sanborn County Park in 29% of 9 AM hours in May, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 2 PM. July mornings are the least foggy (10%).
How much rain does Sanborn County Park get?
January is the wettest month (8.8 in.), out of about 43.3 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Oct 25 to Apr 25, when a day has at least a 21% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 92% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 43.8 in. of rain to Sanborn County Park, 101% of the 43.3 in. normal.
How does Sanborn County Park weather compare with Los Gatos?
Los Gatos sits 2,504 ft lower, 6.7 miles away. Its summer highs average 9°F warmer than Sanborn County Park.
What kind of place is Sanborn County Park?
Sanborn County Park covers the steep eastern face of the Santa Cruz Mountains between Saratoga and Skyline Boulevard. It drops from the ridge near Castle Rock through redwood and tanoak forest toward Highway 9. Santa Clara County Parks manages it. Castle Rock's open sandstone ridge next door bans dogs, so Sanborn is the shaded, dog-friendly side of the mountain. It has campgrounds, picnic areas, and trails that climb to the Skyline Trail.
What is Sanborn County Park weather like in November?
November at Sanborn County Park averages a high of 61°F and a low of 42°F, with 4.3 in. of rain over about 9 rainy days. About 15% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 8 mph.
More about Sanborn County 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, Castle Rock State Park (dog rules and nearby Sanborn) (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Santa Clara County Parks reservation site (accessed 2026-10-27)
Rendered 2026-11-15T12:16:28.126Z.