Sea Ranch Weather
Town • San Francisco Bay Area
The Sea Ranch is a private planned community spread along about ten miles of Sonoma County's northernmost coast. It runs from Gualala Point at the mouth of the Gualala River south toward Stewarts Point. Lawrence Halprin's 1960s master plan left the grassy marine terrace west of Highway 1 as shared meadow and grouped houses against old cypress hedgerows. It kept forest on the steep slopes east of the highway. Visitors reach the shore on six public access trails managed by Sonoma County Regional Parks.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Sea Ranch weather today and through the year
It's 58°F at Sea Ranch right now (feels like 54°F), with 12 mph wind and a comfort score of 46. Today's forecast high at Sea Ranch is 59°F, close to the mid November normal of 61°F. No fog in the forecast for today at Sea Ranch. In November, 17% of morning hours here are foggy on average. The best window today is 2 PM to 5 PM, at about 50°F with a 3 mph wind (comfort 72).
August is the warmest month at Sea Ranch, with an average high of 68°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 43°F. December is the wettest month (8.3 in.), out of about 39.4 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Sea Ranch are August, September, and July. The best hours are usually 4 PM to 7 PM in August, 4 PM to 7 PM in September, and 4 PM to 7 PM in July.
Exposure to the ocean defines the weather here. The Sea Ranch sits on a broad, nearly flat marine terrace open to the Pacific. From spring through early fall, daytime heating of the land inland pulls a westerly breeze off the ocean most afternoons. The community's wildfire protection plan describes coastal winds here as erratic and hard to predict. That exposure is why Halprin grouped houses between hedgerows for shelter instead of spreading them across the open meadows.
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 Sea Ranch 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 Sea Ranch. In November, 17% of morning hours here are foggy on average.
Best time to go
The best window today is 2 PM to 5 PM, at about 50°F with a 3 mph wind (comfort 72).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Sea Ranch, with a 57°F high and midday comfort near 67. Saturday looks weakest (44).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (99%, about 1.74 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Sea Ranch right now
Light rain and 58° at Sea Ranch right now.
About the live weather map for Sea Ranch
The map centers on Sea Ranch 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.
Sea Ranch vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Sea Ranch, 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 Sea Ranch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Point State Park | 12.1 mi | -12°F | 41% | 10 mph | about 12°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (41% vs 15% of morning hours) |
| Austin Creek State Recreation Area | 23.6 mi | +15°F | 25% | 7 mph | about 15°F warmer on summer afternoons and about 35% more rain a year |
| Cloverdale | 24 mi | +23°F | 18% | 9 mph | about 23°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| Jenner Headlands | 24.6 mi | +5°F | 33% | 8 mph | more summer morning fog (33% vs 15% of morning hours) and about 43% more rain a year |
Places with a climate like Sea Ranch's
- Point Reyes Station (56 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Inverness (53 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Goat Rock State Beach (26 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Sea Ranch climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Sea Ranch 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 Sea Ranch 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.
Sea Ranch weather by month
August is the warmest month at Sea Ranch, with an average high of 68°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 43°F. December is the wettest month (8.3 in.), out of about 39.4 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 17% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Sea Ranch are August, September, and July. The best hours are usually 4 PM to 7 PM in August, 4 PM to 7 PM in September, and 4 PM to 7 PM in July.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F | 43°F | 7.5 in | 12 | 19% | 37% | 6 mph | 9.8 h | 37 |
| Feb | 58°F | 44°F | 7.2 in | 11 | 11% | 29% | 8 mph | 10.7 h | 38 |
| Mar | 59°F | 44°F | 5.8 in | 10 | 12% | 32% | 8 mph | 11.9 h | 40 |
| Apr | 60°F | 45°F | 2.9 in | 7 | 11% | 26% | 9 mph | 13.2 h | 63 |
| May | 63°F | 47°F | 1.2 in | 5 | 11% | 23% | 9 mph | 14.3 h | 74 |
| Jun | 66°F | 50°F | 0.4 in | 2 | 12% | 17% | 9 mph | 14.9 h | 85 |
| Jul | 67°F | 51°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 16% | 22% | 8 mph | 14.6 h | 87 |
| Aug | 68°F | 52°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 17% | 21% | 8 mph | 13.6 h | 89 |
| Sep | 68°F | 51°F | 0.2 in | 2 | 13% | 19% | 8 mph | 12.3 h | 88 |
| Oct | 66°F | 49°F | 1.8 in | 6 | 11% | 21% | 7 mph | 11.1 h | 80 |
| Nov | 61°F | 45°F | 4.1 in | 8 | 17% | 24% | 6 mph | 10.0 h | 65 |
| Dec | 57°F | 43°F | 8.3 in | 12 | 23% | 37% | 6 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.
What makes Sea Ranch's weather different
When the fog burns off
26%of 5 AM hours foggy in December
Fog or low cloud covers Sea Ranch in 26% of 5 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It thins slowly and often lasts into the early afternoon. February mornings are the least foggy (11%).
When the wind picks up
11 AMwhen afternoon wind builds, March–September
From March through September, wind at Sea Ranch typically builds after 11 AM. In May it peaks around 2 PM, averaging 9 mph with 2% of those hours windy, while mornings average 4 mph.
Daylight
9.5–14.9 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Sea Ranch range from about 9.5 hours in December to 14.9 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:41 PM, and in mid-December around 4:59 PM.
Seasons at Sea Ranch
- Warm seasonJun 28 – Oct 7 · highs 66°F+
The warm season lasts about 3.4 months, from Jun 28 to Oct 7, when the average high is 66°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 68°F.
- Cool seasonDec 1 – Mar 27 · highs 59°F or lower
The cool season runs from Dec 1 to Mar 27, when the average high is 59°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Dec 8, with an average low near 43°F.
- Rainy seasonOct 26 – Apr 22 · 90% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Oct 26 to Apr 22, when a day has at least a 21% 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 17 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, Sea Ranch averaged no days at 90°F or hotter and 2 nights a year at or below freezing. It averaged 25 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 1 afternoon with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 78 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Jun 11, 2026 (83°F) and the coldest night was Feb 10, 2025 (32°F). The wettest day was Nov 21, 2024 (5.18 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 41 mph on Jan 2, 2026.
- 0days at 90°F or hotter
- 2nights at or below freezing
- 25days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 1afternoon with 20+ mph wind
- 78mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day83°FJun 11, 2026
- Coldest night32°FFeb 10, 2025
- Wettest day5.18 inNov 21, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust41 mphJan 2, 2026
What shapes Sea Ranch's weather
Onshore wind at The Sea Ranch also carries the marine layer, the cool, moist ocean air that forms fog and low cloud. Fog sits over the terrace on some summer mornings and can roll back in at night. With no headland or ridge between the meadows and the sea, little stops it. Gray mornings are just as common in winter, when fog and low cloud settle on the coast between storms.
A few miles inland, behind the forested slopes that rise east of Highway 1, the coastal ridges are drier and warmer. The community's wildfire plan notes that the area's larger fires have burned in those hills. Northeast wind events, which could push fire from them toward the coast, are extremely rare at Sea Ranch but most likely in the dry fall months.
For much of the year the nearby Pacific keeps conditions moist and cool. The exception is late summer and early fall, when grass on the terrace dries out and fire danger is highest even as the fog begins to ease.
Tips for visiting Sea Ranch
Stay on the marked public trails
Sea Ranch is a private community. Other paths and roads inside it are privately owned, so use the county's signed coastal access trails.
Park in the marked lots west of Highway 1
Trailhead lots are marked along the ocean side of the highway. RVs and trailers aren't allowed in them.
Pack a windbreaker, even in July
A westerly breeze blows most afternoons from spring through early fall, and it makes the open meadows feel colder than the thermometer suggests.
Bring the dog to Gualala Point
Gualala Point Regional Park, at the north end of the Bluff Top Trail, allows dogs on leash.
Sea Ranch through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Rain tapers off and the meadows are green. The afternoon wind off the ocean builds as the inland valleys start to warm.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer afternoons are mostly mild and sunny with a westerly breeze, and some mornings start foggy. Inland Sonoma's heat rarely reaches the terrace.
- Fall (September–November)
- Grass and brush are at their driest in fall, and calmer days arrive. The rare northeast wind events that worry local firefighters are most likely in this season.
- Winter (December–February)
- Winter is the wet season, with storms arriving straight off the ocean. Besides Highway 1, the only road out is Annapolis Road, which is steep and narrow.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Walking the Bluff Top Trail: The trail runs three miles one way from Walk On Beach to Gualala Point Regional Park, through cypress groves and windswept meadow. Clear mornings, before the afternoon wind builds, are best.
- Tide pooling at Shell Beach: Shell Beach is a wide sandy beach with tide pools, reached by a 0.65-mile trail. Go at low tide on a day with small surf.
- Surfing at Black Point: Black Point is a curving quarter-mile beach popular with surfers, down a steep staircase. It needs swell, and lighter morning wind keeps the waves cleaner.
- Diving and fishing: People dive and fish from the access beaches. Wait for calm seas and light wind, because the open coast here has no shelter from swell.
- Architecture walks: Condominium One and the 1880s Knipp and Stengel Ranch Barn are on the National Register. A windy day shows why the houses were grouped between hedgerows.
Official sources and current conditions
- Sonoma County Regional Parks: Sea Ranch coastal access trails
- Sonoma County Regional Parks: Gualala Point Regional Park
- The Sea Ranch Association
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 | 73 | 59.2° / 43.7° | 5.8h | 6d | 12.84" | 13 |
| December 2024 | 67 | 58.5° / 45° | 4.9h | 10d | 9.03" | 10 |
| January 2025 | 78 | 57.4° / 39.2° | 6.6h | 4d | 0.52" | 17 |
| February 2025 | 69 | 56.4° / 41.5° | 5.6h | 8d | 10.65" | 10 |
| March 2025 | 74 | 56.6° / 42.7° | 7.2h | 5d | 4.88" | 14 |
| April 2025 | 83 | 59.1° / 44.8° | 9.9h | 5d | 0.96" | 18 |
| May 2025 | 92 | 65.5° / 48.9° | 12.2h | 2d | 0.21" | 28 |
| June 2025 | 91 | 64.4° / 49.8° | 12.6h | 2d | 0" | 27 |
| July 2025 | 88 | 63.3° / 51.6° | 11.5h | 4d | 0" | 26 |
| August 2025 | 93 | 70° / 54° | 11.3h | 1d | 0" | 31 |
| September 2025 | 90 | 68.1° / 55.6° | 9.3h | 2d | 0.16" | 25 |
| October 2025 | 86 | 64.7° / 50.4° | 7.4h | 5d | 0.93" | 24 |
| November 2025 | 74 | 61.3° / 48.3° | 6.2h | 10d | 4.9" | 12 |
| December 2025 | 66 | 57.6° / 45.8° | 4.7h | 8d | 9.16" | 6 |
| January 2026 | 76 | 59.9° / 44.3° | 6.4h | 6d | 6.06" | 21 |
| February 2026 | 73 | 59.5° / 46.4° | 5.9h | 3d | 6.1" | 12 |
| March 2026 | 95 | 67.5° / 51.3° | 9.9h | 1d | 0.01" | 30 |
| April 2026 | 84 | 60.3° / 46° | 9.3h | 5d | 3.19" | 20 |
| May 2026 | 89 | 63.6° / 49.3° | 11.6h | 4d | 0.2" | 26 |
| June 2026 | 90 | 65.7° / 51.2° | 11.9h | 3d | 0.01" | 28 |
| July 2026 | 92 | 67.8° / 52.5° | 11.9h | 3d | 0" | 29 |
| August 2026 | 90 | 65.9° / 51.7° | 11.2h | 6d | 0" | 28 |
| September 2026 | 94 | 69.2° / 52.7° | 10.2h | 3d | 0.14" | 29 |
| October 2026 | 91 | 66.7° / 51.3° | 8.3h | 1d | 0.1" | 29 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Sea Ranch climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Sea Ranch, 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 Sea Ranch. 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 Sea Ranch, the warmest typical hour is 4 PM in August (69°F). The coldest is 7 AM in February (45°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Sea Ranch in 26% of 5 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It thins slowly and often lasts into the early afternoon. February mornings are the least foggy (11%).
- Wind: From March through September, wind at Sea Ranch typically builds after 11 AM. In May it peaks around 2 PM, averaging 9 mph with 2% of those hours windy, while mornings average 4 mph.
- Cloud Cover: June middays are the clearest at Sea Ranch (17% average cloud cover), and December middays are the cloudiest (37%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Sea Ranch comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 955 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Sea Ranch
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Sea Ranch 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 Sea Ranch. 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 Sea Ranch 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 Sea Ranch 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 Sea Ranch 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 Sea Ranch
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Sea Ranch averaged a high of 67°F, close to the 1991-2020 normal of 66°F. It brought 0.10 in. of rain, compared with a normal of 1.83 in.
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 30.7 in. of rain to Sea Ranch, 78% of the 39.4 in. normal.
Location Details
Sea Ranch weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Sea Ranch
What is the weather like at Sea Ranch today?
It's 58°F at Sea Ranch right now, with a comfort score of 46 (moderate). Today's forecast high at Sea Ranch is 59°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 3 mph wind (comfort 72).
What is the best month to visit Sea Ranch?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Sea Ranch are August, September, and July. The best hours are usually 4 PM to 7 PM in August, 4 PM to 7 PM in September, and 4 PM to 7 PM in July. The warm season lasts about 3.4 months, from Jun 28 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 Sea Ranch?
August is the warmest month at Sea Ranch, 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 Sea Ranch?
Fog or low cloud covers Sea Ranch in 26% of 5 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It thins slowly and often lasts into the early afternoon. February mornings are the least foggy (11%).
When is it windiest at Sea Ranch?
From March through September, wind at Sea Ranch typically builds after 11 AM. In May it peaks around 2 PM, averaging 9 mph with 2% of those hours windy, while mornings average 4 mph.
How much rain does Sea Ranch get?
December is the wettest month (8.3 in.), out of about 39.4 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Oct 26 to Apr 22, when a day has at least a 21% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 90% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 30.7 in. of rain to Sea Ranch, 78% of the 39.4 in. normal.
Can the public visit the beaches at The Sea Ranch?
Yes. Sonoma County Regional Parks manages six public access trails through the community. They include the Bluff Top Trail and trails to Walk On, Shell, Stengel, Pebble, and Black Point beaches. Visitors park in the marked lots on the west side of Highway 1. Other paths and roads in The Sea Ranch are private.
What kind of place is Sea Ranch?
The Sea Ranch is a private planned community spread along about ten miles of Sonoma County's northernmost coast. It runs from Gualala Point at the mouth of the Gualala River south toward Stewarts Point. Lawrence Halprin's 1960s master plan left the grassy marine terrace west of Highway 1 as shared meadow and grouped houses against old cypress hedgerows. It kept forest on the steep slopes east of the highway. Visitors reach the shore on six public access trails managed by Sonoma County Regional Parks.
What is Sea Ranch weather like in November?
November at Sea Ranch averages a high of 61°F and a low of 45°F, with 4.1 in. of rain over about 8 rainy days. About 17% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 6 mph.
More about Sea Ranch 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.
- Sonoma County Regional Parks, Sea Ranch Coastal Access Trails (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Sonoma County Regional Parks, Gualala Point Regional Park (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Fire Safe Sonoma, The Sea Ranch Community Wildfire Protection Plan (Appendix F) (accessed 2026-10-27)
- The Cultural Landscape Foundation, The Sea Ranch (accessed 2026-10-27)
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