Tomales Bay State Park Weather
Park • San Francisco Bay Area
A few miles north of Inverness, Tomales Bay State Park lines the west shore of Tomales Bay with small, gently sloping, surf-free coves backed by Inverness Ridge. California State Parks manages Heart's Desire Beach, the only cove reachable by road, along with Shell Beach, which you reach by trail, and Millerton Point across the bay. The park's Bishop pine forest includes Jepson Memorial Grove, one of the finest remaining virgin stands in California. It is the calm-water counterpart to the national seashore's ocean beaches just over the ridge.
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Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Tomales Bay State Park weather today and through the year
It's 57°F at Tomales Bay State Park right now (feels like 56°F), with 5 mph wind and a comfort score of 83. Today's forecast high at Tomales Bay State Park is 60°F, close to the mid November normal of 60°F. No fog in the forecast for today at Tomales Bay State Park. In November, 26% of morning hours here are foggy on average. The best window today is 2 PM to 5 PM, at about 51°F with a 2 mph wind (comfort 51).
September is the warmest month at Tomales Bay State Park, with an average high of 67°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 45°F. December is the wettest month (7.7 in.), out of about 36.1 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Tomales Bay State Park are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually noon to 3 PM in September, 1 PM to 4 PM in August, and noon to 3 PM in October.
The park's coves sit on the sheltered side of Inverness Ridge, which State Parks credits with protecting them from wind. The ridge takes the brunt of the northwest ocean wind and much of the summer fog. A gray summer morning here often clears by midday while Point Reyes Beach, a few miles west on the ocean side, stays fogged in.
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 Tomales Bay State Park 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 Tomales Bay State Park. In November, 26% 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 2 mph wind (comfort 51).
Hiking conditions
Best hiking day this week: Monday, with 9 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 Tomales Bay State Park, with a 60°F high and midday comfort near 73. Today looks weakest (45).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (86%, about 1.07 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Tomales Bay State Park right now
Overcast and 57° at Tomales Bay State Park right now.
About the live weather map for Tomales Bay State Park
The map centers on Tomales Bay 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.
Tomales Bay State Park vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Tomales Bay 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 Tomales Bay State Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inverness | 2.9 mi | +5°F | 26% | 12 mph | about 5°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| Point Reyes National Seashore | 5.9 mi | +1°F | 37% | 10 mph | a very similar climate |
| Point Reyes Station | 6.3 mi | +8°F | 19% | 11 mph | about 8°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (19% vs 35% of morning hours) |
| Graton | 21.1 mi | +18°F | 29% | 9 mph | about 18°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| Forestville | 23.5 mi | +19°F | 30% | 8 mph | about 19°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| Jack London State Historic Park | 24.6 mi | +20°F | 31% | 7 mph | about 20°F warmer on summer afternoons and calmer summer afternoons (7 vs 11 mph) |
Places with a climate like Tomales Bay State Park's
- Bodega Bay (16 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Goat Rock State Beach (25 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Jenner (25 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Tomales Bay State Park climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Tomales Bay 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 Tomales Bay 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.
Tomales Bay State Park weather by month
September is the warmest month at Tomales Bay State Park, with an average high of 67°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 45°F. December is the wettest month (7.7 in.), out of about 36.1 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in July, when fog or low cloud covers 43% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. October has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 24% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Tomales Bay State Park are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually noon to 3 PM in September, 1 PM to 4 PM in August, and noon to 3 PM in October.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 56°F | 45°F | 6.9 in | 11 | 31% | 37% | 8 mph | 9.8 h | 34 |
| Feb | 57°F | 46°F | 6.7 in | 11 | 20% | 28% | 10 mph | 10.7 h | 39 |
| Mar | 59°F | 46°F | 5.0 in | 9 | 23% | 33% | 10 mph | 11.9 h | 40 |
| Apr | 59°F | 47°F | 2.5 in | 7 | 19% | 30% | 11 mph | 13.2 h | 59 |
| May | 61°F | 49°F | 1.2 in | 4 | 21% | 33% | 12 mph | 14.2 h | 64 |
| Jun | 65°F | 50°F | 0.3 in | 2 | 26% | 27% | 11 mph | 14.8 h | 73 |
| Jul | 66°F | 52°F | 0.0 in | 0 | 43% | 36% | 10 mph | 14.5 h | 75 |
| Aug | 67°F | 53°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 36% | 32% | 10 mph | 13.6 h | 82 |
| Sep | 67°F | 53°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 35% | 25% | 10 mph | 12.3 h | 86 |
| Oct | 66°F | 51°F | 1.7 in | 5 | 28% | 24% | 9 mph | 11.1 h | 77 |
| Nov | 60°F | 48°F | 4.0 in | 8 | 26% | 24% | 8 mph | 10.0 h | 63 |
| Dec | 56°F | 45°F | 7.7 in | 12 | 33% | 37% | 8 mph | 9.5 h | 34 |
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 Tomales Bay State Park average about 4°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 Tomales Bay State Park has actually seen.
What makes Tomales Bay State Park's weather different
Among the 58 San Francisco Bay Area parks we track, Tomales Bay State Park has the 3rd-mildest winter nights.
- #3of 58
mildest winter nightsamong San Francisco Bay Area parks
When the fog burns off
noonwhen July fog usually thins (56% foggy at 5 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers Tomales Bay State Park in 56% of 5 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by noon. April mornings are the least foggy (19%).
When the wind picks up
noonwhen afternoon wind builds, February–October
From February through October, wind at Tomales Bay State Park typically builds after noon. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 12 mph with 19% of those hours windy, while mornings average 6 mph.
Microclimate
+8°FPoint Reyes Station, 6.3 mi away, on summer afternoons
Point Reyes Station, 6.3 miles away, runs about 8°F warmer than Tomales Bay State Park on summer afternoons. It also has less summer morning fog, 19% of morning hours compared with 35%.
Daylight
9.5–14.8 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Tomales Bay State Park 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 Tomales Bay State Park
- Warm seasonAug 1 – Oct 24 · highs 66°F+
The warm season lasts about 2.8 months, from Aug 1 to Oct 24, when the average high is 66°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 67°F.
- Cool seasonDec 1 – Mar 2 · highs 58°F or lower
The cool season runs from Dec 1 to Mar 2, when the average high is 58°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Dec 8, with an average low near 45°F.
- Rainy seasonOct 25 – Apr 22 · 90% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Oct 25 to Apr 22, when a day has at least a 20% 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 19 and half of its annual total by Jan 21.
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, Tomales Bay State Park 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 2 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 140 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Jul 21, 2026 (83°F) and the coldest night was Feb 11, 2025 (34°F). The wettest day was Nov 21, 2024 (3.58 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 48 mph on Nov 20, 2024.
- 0days at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 20days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 2afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 140mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day83°FJul 21, 2026
- Coldest night34°FFeb 11, 2025
- Wettest day3.58 inNov 21, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust48 mphNov 20, 2024
What shapes Tomales Bay State Park's weather
Tomales Bay itself is long, narrow, and shallow, lined up northwest to southeast. Afternoon sea breezes run down its length, and spring is windy on most days even in the park's sheltered coves, so the water is usually calmest early. Shallow bay water also warms faster than the open ocean, which is why the Park Service calls these beaches warmer and safer for swimming than the ocean-facing ones.
Compared with Inverness, the park sits farther toward the mouth of the bay and is wilder, with Bishop pine forest rather than houses behind the sand. In winter the ridge works against you. Storms rising over it drop more rain on this east side than on the outer coast. Between storms, though, the bay can be glassy and still on cool, sunny days.
Tips for visiting Tomales Bay State Park
Arrive before 11 a.m. on summer weekends
The Heart's Desire lot can fill by 11 a.m. on busy weekends, and once it is full no more cars are admitted. Overflow parking is at the Jepson Trailhead, 1.5 miles away.
Bring a card for parking
Day-use parking at Heart's Desire and Vista Point is paid by card only, and the lots are open from 8 a.m. to sunset.
Leave the dog at home for Heart's Desire
Dogs aren't allowed on beaches or trails at Heart's Desire or Shell Beach. Leashed dogs can use the Millerton Point loop trail and the Vista Point picnic area.
Watch kids closely in the water
The bay beaches are shallower and warmer than the ocean beaches, but no lifeguards are on duty.
Stay out of the water after big storms
Health advice is to avoid all water contact for at least three days after significant rain, especially near creek outlets.
Tomales Bay State Park through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Even these sheltered coves get wind on most spring days, so early-morning paddles are the calmest. The first warm spells usually wait until late May.
- Summer (June–August)
- Patchy morning fog over the bay usually burns off by midday, leaving sunny afternoons with a light breeze. Summer brings the warmest water of the year and the most crowded parking.
- Fall (September–November)
- Clear, settled days often last into early November, a good window for paddling and for the Bishop pine trails before the rains.
- Winter (December–February)
- Winter is rainy, with more rain on this side of Inverness Ridge than on the ocean side. Between storms the bay is often calm, sunny, and cool.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Swimming and wading: Warm, still summer afternoons are best. Tomales Bay water runs a little warmer than at the ocean-facing beaches of the national seashore.
- Kayaking and stand-up paddling: Paddle on calm mornings before the afternoon breeze. Blue Waters Kayaking rents kayaks and paddleboards for the bay.
- Picnicking at Heart's Desire: Inverness Ridge blocks the wind here, so this is the picnic spot for days when the ocean beaches are cold and blowing.
- Walking the Jepson Trail: The one-mile trail leads to the Bishop pine grove. It is a good choice on gray or drizzly days when the bay is less inviting.
Official sources and current conditions
- California State Parks: Tomales Bay State Park
- NPS: Swimming at Point Reyes (Tomales Bay beaches)
- Marin Transit: Transit to parks (route 68 to the Inverness Store)
- NPS: Point Reyes weather and tides
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 | 74 | 58.2° / 45.8° | 6.2h | 4d | 10.26" | 16 |
| December 2024 | 67 | 58° / 46.9° | 5.1h | 12d | 8.28" | 10 |
| January 2025 | 78 | 56.6° / 43.3° | 6.6h | 7d | 0.43" | 18 |
| February 2025 | 69 | 56.1° / 44.2° | 6h | 9d | 9.59" | 10 |
| March 2025 | 75 | 55.5° / 45.2° | 7.7h | 5d | 3.31" | 14 |
| April 2025 | 81 | 55.8° / 46° | 9.6h | 7d | 0.39" | 17 |
| May 2025 | 85 | 57.6° / 47.7° | 11.9h | 2d | 0.1" | 24 |
| June 2025 | 81 | 57.5° / 49.5° | 11h | 11d | 0" | 19 |
| July 2025 | 79 | 59.8° / 52.7° | 9.4h | 18d | 0" | 15 |
| August 2025 | 85 | 63° / 53.3° | 9.8h | 14d | 0" | 22 |
| September 2025 | 86 | 65° / 56.2° | 8.7h | 10d | 0.04" | 23 |
| October 2025 | 82 | 63° / 52.2° | 7.3h | 8d | 0.86" | 18 |
| November 2025 | 74 | 60.1° / 49.7° | 5.9h | 11d | 4.74" | 10 |
| December 2025 | 68 | 57.1° / 45.4° | 4.8h | 12d | 5.24" | 9 |
| January 2026 | 77 | 60.2° / 46.6° | 6.6h | 4d | 5.32" | 20 |
| February 2026 | 73 | 59.1° / 48.5° | 6.4h | 5d | 4.86" | 13 |
| March 2026 | 91 | 63.2° / 48° | 9.7h | 1d | 0.07" | 27 |
| April 2026 | 81 | 59.6° / 48.7° | 9.2h | 5d | 4.33" | 21 |
| May 2026 | 83 | 59.2° / 49.3° | 10.6h | 7d | 0.64" | 22 |
| June 2026 | 85 | 61.3° / 51.4° | 10.9h | 10d | 0.02" | 21 |
| July 2026 | 85 | 62.8° / 53° | 10.2h | 11d | 0" | 23 |
| August 2026 | 84 | 62.4° / 53.8° | 9.2h | 14d | 0" | 22 |
| September 2026 | 86 | 63.4° / 54.3° | 9.1h | 11d | 0.37" | 23 |
| October 2026 | 89 | 64° / 51.2° | 8.3h | 4d | 0.04" | 28 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Tomales Bay State Park climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Tomales Bay 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 Tomales Bay 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 Tomales Bay State Park, the warmest typical hour is 2 PM in September (67°F). The coldest is 7 AM in February (46°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Tomales Bay State Park in 56% of 5 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by noon. April mornings are the least foggy (19%).
- Wind: From February through October, wind at Tomales Bay State Park typically builds after noon. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 12 mph with 19% of those hours windy, while mornings average 6 mph.
- Cloud Cover: October middays are the clearest at Tomales Bay State Park (24% average cloud cover), and December middays are the cloudiest (37%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Tomales Bay State Park comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 905 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Tomales Bay State Park
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Tomales Bay 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 Tomales Bay 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 Tomales Bay 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 Tomales Bay 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 Tomales Bay 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 Tomales Bay State Park
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Tomales Bay State Park averaged a high of 64°F, 2°F cooler than the 1991-2020 normal of 66°F. It brought 0.04 in. of rain, compared with a normal of 1.68 in.
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 26.4 in. of rain to Tomales Bay State Park, 73% of the 36.1 in. normal.
Location Details
Tomales Bay State Park weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Tomales Bay State Park
What is the weather like at Tomales Bay State Park today?
It's 57°F at Tomales Bay State Park right now, with a comfort score of 83 (great). Today's forecast high at Tomales Bay 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 2 mph wind (comfort 51).
What is the best month to visit Tomales Bay State Park?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Tomales Bay State Park are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually noon to 3 PM in September, 1 PM to 4 PM in August, and noon to 3 PM in October. The warm season lasts about 2.8 months, from Aug 1 to Oct 24, when the average high is 66°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 67°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Tomales Bay State Park?
September is the warmest month at Tomales Bay State Park, with an average high of 67°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 45°F.
When does the fog burn off at Tomales Bay State Park?
Fog or low cloud covers Tomales Bay State Park in 56% of 5 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by noon. April mornings are the least foggy (19%).
When is it windiest at Tomales Bay State Park?
From February through October, wind at Tomales Bay State Park typically builds after noon. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 12 mph with 19% of those hours windy, while mornings average 6 mph.
How much rain does Tomales Bay State Park get?
December is the wettest month (7.7 in.), out of about 36.1 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Oct 25 to Apr 22, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 90% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 26.4 in. of rain to Tomales Bay State Park, 73% of the 36.1 in. normal.
How does Tomales Bay State Park weather compare with Point Reyes Station?
Point Reyes Station, 6.3 miles away, runs about 8°F warmer than Tomales Bay State Park on summer afternoons. It also has less summer morning fog, 19% of morning hours compared with 35%.
What kind of place is Tomales Bay State Park?
A few miles north of Inverness, Tomales Bay State Park lines the west shore of Tomales Bay with small, gently sloping, surf-free coves backed by Inverness Ridge. California State Parks manages Heart's Desire Beach, the only cove reachable by road, along with Shell Beach, which you reach by trail, and Millerton Point across the bay. The park's Bishop pine forest includes Jepson Memorial Grove, one of the finest remaining virgin stands in California. It is the calm-water counterpart to the national seashore's ocean beaches just over the ridge.
What is Tomales Bay State Park weather like in November?
November at Tomales Bay State Park averages a high of 60°F and a low of 48°F, with 4.0 in. of rain over about 8 rainy days. About 26% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 8 mph.
More about Tomales Bay State Park 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.
- California State Parks, Tomales Bay State Park (accessed 2026-10-27)
- National Park Service, Heart's Desire Beach (updated Jul 19, 2024) (accessed 2026-10-27)
- National Park Service, Swimming at Point Reyes (updated Oct 10, 2024) (accessed 2026-10-27)
- National Park Service, Point Reyes beaches (accessed 2026-10-27)
- National Park Service, Point Reyes Weather & Tides (accessed 2026-10-27)
Rendered 2026-11-15T12:26:27.295Z.