People ask us this all the time: “When should we come?” The honest answer is that Dillon Beach is worth visiting year-round — but each season has a completely different personality. The coast in January and the coast in September might as well be different places.
Here’s what to actually expect, month by month, from people who live here and see it all.
Winter: January – March
January
Weather: Cool and wet. Highs around 54–58°F, lows in the low 40s. Rain is frequent, sometimes heavy. Winds can be strong out of the south and west.
What’s happening: This is peak whale-watching season. Gray whales migrate south along the coast, and you can spot them from the beach or from Bodega Head, a 25-minute drive south. Storm-watching is spectacular — big Pacific swells crash against the rocks with incredible force. The best minus tides of the year happen in January, making this prime tide pooling season.
Crowds: Almost none. You’ll have the beach to yourself most days.
Best for: Whale watching, storm watching, tide pooling, photography, solitude.
February
Weather: Similar to January. Highs 55–59°F. February is statistically the wettest month, but storms start spacing out a bit more toward the end.
What’s happening: Whales are still migrating. The earliest wildflowers start appearing on the bluffs — mostly non-native mustard and a few early lupines. The hills behind Dillon Beach turn the most vivid green you’ve ever seen. Great minus tides continue.
Crowds: Minimal. Presidents’ Day weekend brings a small bump.
Best for: Photography (green hills + dramatic skies), whale watching, quiet weekends.
March
Weather: Turning the corner. Highs 57–62°F. Rain tapers off but doesn’t stop entirely. Wind remains a factor.
What’s happening: Wildflowers are building toward their peak. The Tomales Point Trail in Point Reyes starts getting spectacular with lupine, poppies, and paintbrush. Whale migration continues (northbound now, with mothers and calves). Harbor seals are pupping at nearby beaches — keep your distance.
Crowds: Light. Spring break brings some families.
Best for: Hiking, whale watching, wildflowers, exploring without crowds.
Spring: April – June
April
Weather: Highs 58–63°F. Rain becomes infrequent. Still cool, especially mornings and evenings. Wind picks up in the afternoons.
What’s happening: Peak wildflower season. The coastal bluffs and Point Reyes trails are carpeted with color. Migrating birds pass through — bring binoculars. The ocean calms down compared to winter, and tide pooling remains excellent.
Crowds: Moderate on weekends, light on weekdays.
Best for: Wildflower hikes, birdwatching, tide pooling, photography.
May
Weather: Highs 60–65°F. Mostly dry. Morning fog starts becoming more common. Afternoons can be glorious.
What’s happening: Late wildflowers still going. Osprey and pelicans are active along the coast. Tomales Bay warms up enough for comfortable kayaking. The days are getting long — sunsets after 8 PM.
Crowds: Building. Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of the busy season.
Best for: Kayaking, long beach walks, hiking, comfortable outdoor dining.
June
Weather: Here’s where we get honest. June on the Sonoma Coast is fog season. June gloom is real. Highs might say 63°F, but with thick fog and wind, it feels colder. The inland valleys will be 90°F while you’re wearing a fleece at the beach. Don’t let this discourage you — the fog has its own moody beauty — but pack accordingly.
What’s happening: Summer tourists start arriving, but the fog keeps the hardcore beach crowd away. Great white shark sightings increase along the coast (they’re here for the seals, not you). Fishing picks up.
Crowds: Moderate. Fewer than you’d expect because of the fog.
Best for: Moody photography, fishing, quiet beach days, escaping inland heat if you don’t mind layers.
Summer: July – September
July
Weather: Fog, fog, fog. Highs around 62–66°F, but many mornings are socked in until noon or later. When the fog clears, it’s stunning. When it doesn’t, you’re in a cloud all day. Bring layers every single time.
What’s happening: Peak tourist season for the broader Sonoma Coast, but Dillon Beach stays relatively mellow compared to Bodega Bay or Stinson Beach. Lawson’s Landing campground is full. Tomales Bay is great for paddling and clamming.
Crowds: This is the busiest month. Parking at the beach can fill on hot inland weekends when the fog lifts.
Best for: Camping, kayaking, clamming, family trips (if you set expectations about weather).
August
Weather: Very similar to July. Fog remains dominant but starts breaking more reliably by afternoon. Highs 63–67°F. Occasional heat events push temperatures into the low 70s — those are the magical days.
What’s happening: Still busy season. The water is at its “warmest” (55–57°F, which is still cold). Surfing conditions can be good on south swells. Berries and produce are peaking at West Marin farms.
Crowds: High, especially weekends.
Best for: Surfing, farm visits, Tomales Bay activities, long evenings.
September
Weather: The secret best month. The fog machine finally shuts off. Highs reach 68–74°F. Skies are clear, wind calms down, and the light turns golden. This is when Dillon Beach looks like a postcard.
What’s happening: Summer crowds thin out dramatically after Labor Day. School is back in session. The beach is warm, uncrowded, and gorgeous. Tomales Bay is calm and perfect for kayaking. The hills turn golden brown — classic California.
Crowds: Light to moderate. The best ratio of good weather to few people.
Best for: Everything. Beach days, hiking, kayaking, photography, relaxing. This is our pick.
Fall: October – December
October
Weather: Warm and dry continues, though temps start dropping. Highs 65–70°F. Indian summer days are common. The first rain usually arrives late in the month.
What’s happening: Harvest season in Sonoma County. Oyster season is in full swing at Hog Island and Tomales Bay Oyster Company. Hawks and raptors migrate through. The tule elk at Tomales Point are in rut — dramatic to watch from a safe distance.
Crowds: Light. This is one of the most pleasant and least crowded months.
Best for: Oyster outings, beach days, hiking, harvest dining, wine tasting.
November
Weather: Cooling off. Highs 58–63°F. The first real storms arrive, bringing rain and surf. Days are shorter.
What’s happening: Gray whales begin their southbound migration. Storm watching begins. The best minus tides of the year return. Crab season opens (usually mid-November) — fresh Dungeness crab appears on menus across West Marin.
Crowds: Very light except Thanksgiving weekend.
Best for: Storm watching, whale watching, crab dinners, cozy cabin weekends.
December
Weather: Cold and stormy. Highs 54–58°F. Expect rain, wind, and dramatic skies. The shortest days of the year.
What’s happening: Whale migration in full swing. Elephant seals arrive at nearby beaches. Holiday season brings a cozy, quiet vibe to the coast. Nick’s Cove and other West Marin restaurants do special holiday menus. Storm-watching is at its best.
Crowds: Minimal. Christmas week brings some visitors, but it’s calm.
Best for: Holiday escapes, storm watching, whale watching, reading by a fire.
Our Pick: September and October
If you can only come once, aim for late September or early October. The fog is gone, the weather is the warmest and most reliable of the year, summer crowds have evaporated, and the coast is at its most beautiful. You’ll get warm beach days, clear sunsets, calm water for kayaking, and golden light that photographers dream about.
That said, every season has something the others don’t. Winter storms are humbling. Spring wildflowers are extraordinary. Even foggy summer mornings have a quiet magic to them. There’s no bad time — just different experiences.
A Note About Fog and Wind
We’d be doing you a disservice if we didn’t address this directly. The Northern California coast is not Southern California. If you come in June or July expecting 80°F beach weather, you will be disappointed and cold.
The coastal fog here is caused by hot inland air drawing cool marine air onshore. It’s thickest from June through August. Some days it never lifts. Other days it burns off by noon and the afternoon is spectacular. You cannot predict it more than a day or two in advance.
Wind is the other constant. Afternoon northwesterlies blow 15–25 mph on many days, especially in spring and summer. The beach is wide open with no wind breaks. A good windbreaker is the single most important thing you can pack.
The upside of all this? It keeps Dillon Beach from becoming crowded and overdeveloped. The fog and wind are why this place still feels like a secret.
Best Months by Activity
- Beach days: September, October, then May
- Hiking: March through May (wildflowers), September through November (warm + clear)
- Kayaking: May through October (calmest water)
- Whale watching: December through April
- Tide pooling: November through March (best minus tides), but year-round with planning
- Photography: Any month — but September/October for golden light, winter for drama
- Surfing: August through November (south and west swells, manageable wind)
- Crabbing/oysters: November through March
- Solitude: January, February, November (midweek)
Ready to plan your trip? Dillon Beach Sea Esta is our place — a comfortable coastal home with beach access, a fire pit, a full kitchen, and room for the whole family.