Updated October 2026
Golden Gate National Recreation Area Weather by Month
Golden Gate National Recreation Area is warmest in August, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 83°F and a low of 54°F, and coldest in December, with an average high of 56°F and an average low of 42°F. December is the wettest month, with about 9.8 inches of precipitation.
These figures are NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals, the 30-year average for each calendar month, from the nearest long-record weather station, 7.4 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Golden Gate National Recreation Area can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Aug
83°F avg high
Coldest month
Dec
42°F avg low
Wettest month
Dec
9.8 in avg
Longest days
Jun
14.6 h of daylight
Average weather at Golden Gate by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 57°F | 42°F | 8.8 in | 9.7 h |
| February | 61°F | 43°F | 8.7 in | 10.6 h |
| March | 65°F | 44°F | 6.0 in | 11.7 h |
| April | 69°F | 46°F | 2.6 in | 13.0 h |
| May | 74°F | 50°F | 1.4 in | 14.0 h |
| June | 80°F | 52°F | 0.4 in | 14.6 h |
| July | 83°F | 53°F | 0.0 in | 14.4 h |
| August | 83°F | 54°F | 0.1 in | 13.5 h |
| September | 82°F | 53°F | 0.1 in | 12.2 h |
| October | 76°F | 50°F | 2.0 in | 11.0 h |
| November | 64°F | 45°F | 4.6 in | 9.9 h |
| December | 56°F | 42°F | 9.8 in | 9.4 h |
| Year total | 44.5 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USC00044500, 7.4 miles from the park's reference point. The station's snowfall normal is zero in all twelve months. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Golden Gate is at that time of year.
Golden Gate weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs climb from 56°F in December to 61°F in February, with average lows near 42°F. Together the three months average 27.3 inches of precipitation, about 61% of the yearly total and more than in any other season. Daylight is at its shortest, about 9.4 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 65°F in March to 74°F in May, with average lows between 44°F and 50°F. Together the three months average 10 inches of precipitation, about 22% of the yearly total. Daylight lengthens from about 11.7 hours in March to 14.0 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs climb from 80°F in June to 83°F in August, with average lows near 53°F. Together the three months average 0.5 inches of precipitation, about 1% of the yearly total and less than in any other season. Daylight is at its longest, about 14.6 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 82°F in September to 64°F in November, with average lows between 45°F and 53°F. Together the three months average 6.7 inches of precipitation, about 15% of the yearly total. Daylight shortens from about 12.2 hours in September to 9.9 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
Winter is characterized by sporadic rain and cool weather punctuated by brilliant sunshine. In winter the grass greens. Trees and flowers dormant through winter start blooming in late February or early March and last until May or June. By July, summer fog predominates in most coastal areas of the park. Grasses and plants have now turned to the golden brown and muted grays characteristic of California summer and fall. September and October skies are clear and sunshine is abundant everywhere in the park.
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Golden Gate
Averages describe a typical month, not this week. For current conditions and the seven-day outlook, the National Weather Service issues a forecast for the park's reference point at 37.86°N, 122.60°W. It covers that one spot, so other elevations in the park can differ from it, as they do from the averages above.
National Weather Service forecast for Golden Gate National Recreation Area →
Weather and crowds together
August is both the warmest month and the busiest, with about 1.2× the visitors of the park's average month. January is the quietest. To see those crowds set against the weather for all twelve months, read the best time to visit Golden Gate National Recreation Area. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Golden Gate.
Where to stay near Golden Gate
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Top-rated places to stay near Golden Gate
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Frequently Asked Questions
August is the warmest month at Golden Gate National Recreation Area, with an average high of 83°F and an average low of 54°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 7.4 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
December is the coldest month at Golden Gate National Recreation Area, with an average low of 42°F and an average high of 56°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
December is the wettest month, with about 9.8 inches of precipitation. July is the driest, averaging close to zero. The station records about 44.5 inches of precipitation in an average year.
The nearest long-record NOAA station, 7.4 miles from the park's reference point, shows no measurable snowfall in any month of its 1991–2020 normals.
Weather at nearby parks
3 mi away · warmest in August (83°F)
8 mi away · warmest in September (70°F)
10 mi away · warmest in September (70°F)
14 mi away · warmest in September (75°F)
20 mi away · warmest in August (81°F)
27 mi away · warmest in July (88°F)
Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USC00044500), daylight computed from latitude, weather description from the National Park Service, crowd levels from National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025). Updated 2026-10-11. Lodging results are provided by Stay22; WhenToVisitParks may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.