Sausalito Weather
Town • San Francisco Bay Area
Sausalito is the first town north of the Golden Gate Bridge. It climbs the steep, east-facing side of the Marin Headlands ridge above Richardson Bay, looking across the water to San Francisco and Angel Island. Downtown is a narrow strip of shops and restaurants along the waterfront, where the Golden Gate and Blue and Gold ferries land at Humboldt and Anchor streets. Harbors, marinas, and houseboat docks line the shore to the north. No other Marin town sits this close to the Golden Gate, and the weather shows it.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Sausalito weather today and through the year
It's 56°F at Sausalito right now (feels like 53°F), with 9 mph wind and a comfort score of 79. Monday's forecast high at Sausalito is 57°F, 5°F below the mid November normal of 62°F. No fog in the forecast for today at Sausalito. In November, 14% of morning hours here are foggy on average. The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 53°F with a 2 mph wind (comfort 57).
September is the warmest month at Sausalito, with an average high of 72°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 44°F. December is the wettest month (5.8 in.), out of about 27.7 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Sausalito are September, October, and August. The best hours are usually noon to 3 PM in September, 1 PM to 4 PM in October, and 10 AM to 1 PM in August.
Sausalito lies just inside the Golden Gate, on the sheltered east side of the Headlands ridge. That ridge takes the first blow of the ocean, so the waterfront is warmer than Rodeo Beach or Tennessee Valley a few miles west. On summer afternoons, fog streaming through the Golden Gate piles against the Headlands and often pours over the ridgetop toward town. It thins as it sinks, so downtown can sit in sun under a fog bank draped on the hills.
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 Sausalito in the next few days
Active National Weather Service alerts
- High Surf Warning until Sun 4:00 AM
- High Surf Advisory until Tue 4:00 AM
Fog
No fog in the forecast for today at Sausalito. In November, 14% of morning hours here are foggy on average.
Best time to go
The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 53°F with a 2 mph wind (comfort 57).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Sausalito, with a 60°F high and midday comfort near 79. Today looks weakest (51).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (79%, about 0.45 in.).
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 Sausalito right now
Overcast and 56° at Sausalito right now.
About the live weather map for Sausalito
The map centers on Sausalito 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.
Sausalito vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Sausalito, 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 Sausalito |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiburon | 1.9 mi | -2°F | 27% | 15 mph | a very similar climate |
| Hawk Hill | 2.2 mi | same | 46% | 16 mph | more summer morning fog (46% vs 19% of morning hours) |
| Angel Island State Park | 2.9 mi | -2°F | 27% | 15 mph | a very similar climate |
| Benicia | 22.1 mi | +19°F | 11% | 12 mph | about 19°F warmer on summer afternoons and calmer summer afternoons (12 vs 16 mph) |
| Walnut Creek | 23.2 mi | +21°F | 11% | 8 mph | about 21°F warmer on summer afternoons and calmer summer afternoons (8 vs 16 mph) |
| Pleasant Hill | 23.9 mi | +22°F | 10% | 7 mph | about 22°F warmer on summer afternoons and calmer summer afternoons (7 vs 16 mph) |
Places with a climate like Sausalito's
- South San Francisco (15 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- San Bruno (16 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Millbrae (19 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Sausalito climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Sausalito 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 Sausalito 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.
Sausalito weather by month
September is the warmest month at Sausalito, with an average high of 72°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 44°F. December is the wettest month (5.8 in.), out of about 27.7 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in December, when fog or low cloud covers 23% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. June has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 16% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Sausalito are September, October, and August. The best hours are usually noon to 3 PM in September, 1 PM to 4 PM in October, 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 | 57°F | 44°F | 5.3 in | 10 | 18% | 35% | 7 mph | 9.8 h | 33 |
| Feb | 59°F | 46°F | 5.3 in | 10 | 14% | 26% | 8 mph | 10.7 h | 37 |
| Mar | 61°F | 47°F | 3.9 in | 8 | 13% | 27% | 10 mph | 11.9 h | 58 |
| Apr | 63°F | 48°F | 1.9 in | 6 | 10% | 22% | 12 mph | 13.2 h | 66 |
| May | 66°F | 51°F | 0.8 in | 4 | 14% | 24% | 15 mph | 14.2 h | 63 |
| Jun | 70°F | 53°F | 0.2 in | 2 | 16% | 16% | 16 mph | 14.8 h | 71 |
| Jul | 70°F | 54°F | 0.0 in | 0 | 22% | 17% | 17 mph | 14.5 h | 72 |
| Aug | 72°F | 55°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 19% | 19% | 16 mph | 13.6 h | 77 |
| Sep | 72°F | 55°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 18% | 18% | 14 mph | 12.3 h | 83 |
| Oct | 70°F | 52°F | 1.3 in | 5 | 17% | 19% | 10 mph | 11.1 h | 78 |
| Nov | 62°F | 48°F | 3.0 in | 7 | 14% | 23% | 7 mph | 10.0 h | 66 |
| Dec | 57°F | 44°F | 5.8 in | 10 | 23% | 37% | 7 mph | 9.5 h | 32 |
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 Sausalito average about 7°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 Sausalito has actually seen.
What makes Sausalito's weather different
Among the 163 San Francisco Bay Area towns we track, Sausalito has the 2nd-windiest summer afternoons.
- #2of 163
windiest summer afternoonsamong San Francisco Bay Area towns
When the fog burns off
3 PMwhen December fog usually thins (24% foggy at 9 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers Sausalito in 24% of 9 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 3 PM. April mornings are the least foggy (10%).
When the wind picks up
2 PMwhen afternoon wind builds, March–October
From March through October, wind at Sausalito typically builds after 2 PM. In July it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 19 mph with 88% of those hours windy, while mornings average 11 mph.
Daylight
9.5–14.8 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Sausalito 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 Sausalito
- Warm seasonJul 4 – Oct 5 · highs 70°F+
The warm season lasts about 3.1 months, from Jul 4 to Oct 5, when the average high is 70°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 72°F.
- Cool seasonNov 30 – Feb 26 · highs 60°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 30 to Feb 26, when the average high is 60°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Jan 8, with an average low near 44°F.
- Rainy seasonNov 3 – Apr 12 · 86% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Nov 3 to Apr 12, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 86% 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 25 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, Sausalito averaged 1 day a year at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 19 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 5 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 105 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Sep 9, 2026 (91°F) and the coldest night was Feb 20, 2026 (40°F). The wettest day was Nov 23, 2024 (2.53 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 43 mph on Feb 13, 2025.
- 1day at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 19days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 5afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 105mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day91°FSep 9, 2026
- Coldest night40°FFeb 20, 2026
- Wettest day2.53 inNov 23, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust43 mphFeb 13, 2025
What shapes Sausalito's weather
Because Sausalito sits so close to the Golden Gate, fog and afternoon wind reach its waterfront more often than in Corte Madera or Larkspur farther up the bay. Gusts funnel down the slopes and across Richardson Bay, and the hillside neighborhoods higher on the ridge are foggier and cooler than the flat downtown streets.
The waterfront sits barely above the high-tide line, so winter king tides, the highest tides of the year, and storm surges are its main weather hazard. The city points to frequent flooding of Gate 5 Road and erosion at Swede's Beach. Sea level rise will make both more common, and the city is planning for it.
Tips for visiting Sausalito
Arrive before 11 a.m. on warm weekends
Downtown parking fills quickly on weekends, holidays, and warm days. Free spaces are easiest to find before 11 a.m.
Mind the 3-hour meters
Downtown metered spaces have a 3-hour maximum, so use a lot for a longer visit.
Come by ferry
The Sausalito Ferry Landing is downtown at Humboldt and Anchor streets, with pay lots next to it and metered street parking nearby.
Expect flooding on Gate 5 Road
The city notes frequent flooding of Gate 5 Road, worst during high winter tides.
Sausalito through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Spring brings breezy days, and fog starts to return over the Headlands by May. Afternoon wind on Richardson Bay builds through the season.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer brings the biggest crowds, the most fog on the ridge, and the strongest afternoon wind. Downtown is often sunny by midday, and parking fills fast on warm days.
- Fall (September–October)
- September and October are often the warmest weeks on the waterfront, with lighter winds than summer and long views to San Francisco.
- Winter (November–February)
- Winter brings the storms and the highest tides of the year, which can flood low waterfront streets such as Gate 5 Road.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Ferry ride to San Francisco: Calm, clear mornings give the smoothest crossing. Summer afternoons bring wind and fog through the Golden Gate.
- Waterfront walk: The waterfront is pleasant on most mornings. Summer afternoons bring strong wind off the Golden Gate, so bring a layer for late afternoon.
- Kayaking or paddleboarding on Richardson Bay: Go in the morning, before the afternoon breeze picks up. Check the tides, since currents and depth change quickly near the shore.
Official sources and current conditions
- City of Sausalito: parking for visitors
- City of Sausalito: storm updates
- Golden Gate Ferry: terminal locations and parking
- NOAA tide predictions: San Francisco (Golden Gate)
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 | 77 | 60.3° / 50.1° | 6.4h | 5d | 5.5" | 17 |
| December 2024 | 68 | 57.7° / 49.2° | 5.1h | 11d | 7.83" | 11 |
| January 2025 | 82 | 58.2° / 46.5° | 7.1h | 6d | 0.24" | 21 |
| February 2025 | 74 | 58.7° / 47° | 6.9h | 6d | 8.45" | 13 |
| March 2025 | 78 | 58.7° / 47.5° | 8.1h | 2d | 2.31" | 16 |
| April 2025 | 83 | 58.8° / 49.1° | 10.1h | 4d | 0.32" | 21 |
| May 2025 | 89 | 63° / 50.6° | 12h | 3d | 0.14" | 28 |
| June 2025 | 83 | 60.4° / 51.2° | 12.5h | 8d | 0" | 18 |
| July 2025 | 80 | 60.7° / 53.6° | 11.7h | 12d | 0" | 16 |
| August 2025 | 88 | 65.3° / 55.8° | 11.5h | 6d | 0" | 29 |
| September 2025 | 87 | 67° / 58.5° | 9.6h | 8d | 0.12" | 25 |
| October 2025 | 85 | 66.2° / 55.5° | 8h | 2d | 0.81" | 24 |
| November 2025 | 76 | 61.3° / 52.6° | 6.7h | 10d | 3.39" | 12 |
| December 2025 | 61 | 54.3° / 47.1° | 4.5h | 18d | 5.31" | 3 |
| January 2026 | 77 | 60° / 49.2° | 6.7h | 2d | 4.92" | 20 |
| February 2026 | 75 | 61.1° / 50.3° | 6.4h | 5d | 5.99" | 14 |
| March 2026 | 93 | 68.6° / 52.9° | 9.7h | 3d | 0.05" | 27 |
| April 2026 | 83 | 62.4° / 51.3° | 9.5h | 3d | 3.57" | 23 |
| May 2026 | 86 | 62.6° / 51.8° | 11.7h | 6d | 0.7" | 25 |
| June 2026 | 86 | 63.8° / 53.7° | 12.2h | 9d | 0" | 21 |
| July 2026 | 86 | 64.3° / 54.5° | 11.7h | 6d | 0" | 23 |
| August 2026 | 83 | 63.7° / 55.3° | 11h | 14d | 0" | 21 |
| September 2026 | 88 | 66.7° / 56.5° | 10h | 7d | 0.2" | 25 |
| October 2026 | 89 | 68.4° / 54.5° | 8.4h | 2d | 0.24" | 28 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Sausalito climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Sausalito, 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 Sausalito. 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 Sausalito, the warmest typical hour is 4 PM in September (67°F). The coldest is 7 AM in December (50°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Sausalito in 24% of 9 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 3 PM. April mornings are the least foggy (10%).
- Wind: From March through October, wind at Sausalito typically builds after 2 PM. In July it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 19 mph with 88% of those hours windy, while mornings average 11 mph.
- Cloud Cover: June middays are the clearest at Sausalito (16% average cloud cover), and December middays are the cloudiest (37%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Sausalito comes at 1 PM in July, averaging 966 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Sausalito
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Sausalito 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 Sausalito. 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 Sausalito 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 Sausalito 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 Sausalito 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 Sausalito
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Sausalito averaged a high of 68°F, 2°F warmer than October 2025 (66°F).
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 24.9 in. of rain to Sausalito, 90% of the 27.7 in. normal.
Location Details
Sausalito weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Sausalito
What is the weather like at Sausalito today?
It's 56°F at Sausalito right now, with a comfort score of 79 (great). Monday's forecast high at Sausalito is 57°F, 5°F below the mid November normal of 62°F. The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 53°F with a 2 mph wind (comfort 57).
What is the best month to visit Sausalito?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Sausalito are September, October, and August. The best hours are usually noon to 3 PM in September, 1 PM to 4 PM in October, and 10 AM to 1 PM in August. The warm season lasts about 3.1 months, from Jul 4 to Oct 5, when the average high is 70°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 72°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Sausalito?
September is the warmest month at Sausalito, 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 Sausalito?
Fog or low cloud covers Sausalito in 24% of 9 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 3 PM. April mornings are the least foggy (10%).
When is it windiest at Sausalito?
From March through October, wind at Sausalito typically builds after 2 PM. In July it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 19 mph with 88% of those hours windy, while mornings average 11 mph.
How much rain does Sausalito get?
December is the wettest month (5.8 in.), out of about 27.7 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Nov 3 to Apr 12, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 86% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 24.9 in. of rain to Sausalito, 90% of the 27.7 in. normal.
What kind of place is Sausalito?
Sausalito is the first town north of the Golden Gate Bridge. It climbs the steep, east-facing side of the Marin Headlands ridge above Richardson Bay, looking across the water to San Francisco and Angel Island. Downtown is a narrow strip of shops and restaurants along the waterfront, where the Golden Gate and Blue and Gold ferries land at Humboldt and Anchor streets. Harbors, marinas, and houseboat docks line the shore to the north. No other Marin town sits this close to the Golden Gate, and the weather shows it.
What is Sausalito weather like in November?
November at Sausalito averages a high of 62°F and a low of 48°F, with 3.0 in. of rain over about 7 rainy days. About 14% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 7 mph.
More about Sausalito weather
Guides that explain the weather here and nearby
- Sausalito Weather vs. San Francisco: A Mile Apart, Degrees Different
- Coastal Flood Advisory vs. Warning vs. Watch: What Each Level Means
- Kelvin Waves in the Bay Area: How El Niño Raises Our Tides
- King Tides 2026-27 in the Bay Area: Dates, Times and Flood Spots
- Driving in Bay Area Fog: Visibility and Safety Tips
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.
- City of Sausalito, Parking for Visitors (accessed 2026-10-27)
- City of Sausalito, Sea Level Rise (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Golden Gate Ferry, terminal locations and parking (accessed 2026-10-27)
- NOAA CO-OPS tide predictions, San Francisco (9414290) (accessed 2026-10-27)
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