How long is the daylight duration in San Francisco across different seasons?

At latitude 37.77°, San Francisco experiences temperate seasonal variations. Daylight stretches to approximately 14–15 hours during mid-summer and contracts to roughly 9–10 hours during mid-winter.

When are the Golden Hour and Blue Hour in San Francisco?

The morning Golden Hour begins at sunrise and lasts for approximately 45–60 minutes, while the evening Golden Hour starts about an hour before sunset. The Blue Hour occurs immediately following sunset (and before dawn) during civil twilight when the sun is between 0° and 6° below the horizon, creating vivid deep blue and indigo skylines across San Francisco.

When does Solar Noon occur in San Francisco?

Solar Noon in San Francisco is the exact astronomical instant when the sun crosses the local meridian (-122.42° longitude) and reaches its maximum daily elevation. Depending on the time of year (the Equation of Time) and whether daylight saving time is active, Solar Noon generally falls between 11:45 AM and 1:30 PM in the America/Los_Angeles zone.

How long does civil twilight last in San Francisco?

In San Francisco, civil twilight typically lasts between 25 and 45 minutes after sunset. Because the angle at which the sun sinks below the horizon depends on latitude (37.77°), twilight duration increases in the summer months and is longer than in equatorial regions.

How long is the daylight duration in San Francisco across different seasons?

At latitude 37.77°, San Francisco experiences temperate seasonal variations. Daylight stretches to approximately 14–15 hours during mid-summer and contracts to roughly 9–10 hours during mid-winter.

When are the Golden Hour and Blue Hour in San Francisco?

The morning Golden Hour begins at sunrise and lasts for approximately 45–60 minutes, while the evening Golden Hour starts about an hour before sunset. The Blue Hour occurs immediately following sunset (and before dawn) during civil twilight when the sun is between 0° and 6° below the horizon, creating vivid deep blue and indigo skylines across San Francisco.

When does Solar Noon occur in San Francisco?

Solar Noon in San Francisco is the exact astronomical instant when the sun crosses the local meridian (-122.42° longitude) and reaches its maximum daily elevation. Depending on the time of year (the Equation of Time) and whether daylight saving time is active, Solar Noon generally falls between 11:45 AM and 1:30 PM in the America/Los_Angeles zone.

How long does civil twilight last in San Francisco?

In San Francisco, civil twilight typically lasts between 25 and 45 minutes after sunset. Because the angle at which the sun sinks below the horizon depends on latitude (37.77°), twilight duration increases in the summer months and is longer than in equatorial regions.

San Francisco, United States Solar Ephemeris

Sunrise & Sunset in San Francisco

Accurate daily dawn, dusk, civil twilight, solar noon, and day length schedule for San Francisco. Coordinates: 37.7749° N, 122.4194° W (America/Los_Angeles).

Current Time in San Francisco Moon Phases in San Francisco

Solar Ephemeris Calculation

San Francisco, United States

Lat 37.77°, Lng -122.42° • America/Los_Angeles

Sunrise06:50Upper limb crosses horizon

Sunset19:20Sun vanishes below horizon

Solar Noon13:05Sun at highest altitude

Total Daylight12h 30mBetween rise and set

Atmospheric Twilight Schedule in San Francisco

Sun angles relative to horizon: Civil (0° to 6°), Nautical (6° to 12°), Astronomical (12° to 18°).

Civil Twilight

Dawn: 06:24Dusk: 19:47

Sufficient natural light for outdoor activities without artificial lighting.

Nautical Twilight

Dawn: 05:53Dusk: 20:18

Horizon visible at sea; bright navigational stars can be sighted.

Astronomical Twilight

Dawn: 05:21Dusk: 20:50

Threshold between twilight and complete optical night sky darkness.

Photographer Golden Hour WindowsMorning: 07:15 • Evening: 18:56

Optimal Soft Light

Geographical Solar Characteristics

Solar Profile & Seasonal Cycles in San Francisco

Positioned at 37.7749° latitude and -122.4194° longitude, San Francisco operates under the America/Los_Angeles time standard. The local solar trajectory is determined by Earth's axial tilt relative to San Francisco's geographic latitude:

Hemisphere & ZoneNorthern Hemisphere • Temperate Zone

Longest daylight occurs around June 21; shortest daylight occurs around December 21.

Atmospheric Refraction Lift+34 Arcminutes (~0.566°)

Atmospheric bending causes the sun to become visible approximately 2.5 to 3.5 minutes prior to true geometric sunrise in San Francisco.

Solar Noon VarianceEquation of Time Drift

Depending on the time of year, true astronomical midday in San Francisco deviates from clock midday by up to ±16 minutes due to orbital eccentricity.

Cinematography & Photography Protocol

Golden Hour & Blue Hour Photography Windows in San Francisco

For landscape photographers, videographers, and creators in San Francisco, the hour surrounding sunrise and sunset provides the most flattering, diffuse natural lighting:

Golden Hour (Warm Spectrum)Sun +6° to 0°

Light rays travel through extensive atmospheric air masses, scattering high-frequency blue photons and bathing San Francisco's skyline and landscapes in warm amber, gold, and terracotta hues with long, soft shadows.

Blue Hour (Indigo & Cobalt)Sun 0° to -6°

Occurring during civil twilight, Chappuis ozone absorption filters longer red wavelengths, producing balanced cobalt twilight skies that contrast against the warm artificial architectural lighting of San Francisco.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common queries, time calculations, and scientific explanations

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Today's exact sunrise and sunset times in San Francisco (United States) are computed using high-precision NOAA solar ephemeris algorithms for coordinates 37.7749° latitude and -122.4194° longitude. The calculations account for atmospheric refraction (34 arcminutes) and local elevation.