Sun Times in California
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Frequently Asked Questions
What time is sunrise in California?
Sunrise in California on Saturday, August 15, 2026 is at 6:24 AM (America/Chicago). This time is calculated from the city's coordinates.
What time is sunset in California?
Sunset in California on Saturday, August 15, 2026 is at 8:04 PM (America/Chicago). This time is calculated from the city's coordinates.
When is golden hour in California?
Morning golden hour in California ends at 7:00 AM. Evening golden hour starts at 7:28 PM.
How long is the day in California?
On Saturday, August 15, 2026 in California there are 13 hours and 39 minutes of daylight between sunrise and sunset.
What time is the sun at its highest point in California?
The sun reaches its highest point (solar noon) in California at 1:14 PM (America/Chicago). This is when the sun crosses the meridian and shadows are at their shortest.
What time does it get dark in California?
In California, sunset is at 8:04 PM and it gets fully dark (astronomical dusk) at 9:42 PM (America/Chicago). Civil twilight ends at 8:32 PM when outdoor activities need artificial light.
How long does twilight last in California?
Twilight in California lasts approximately 99 minutes from sunset to full darkness (astronomical dusk). This includes civil twilight, nautical twilight, and astronomical twilight.
What is the earliest sunrise of the year in California?
The earliest sunrise in California in 2026 is at 5:45 AM on June 7 (America/Chicago). This occurs around the summer solstice when days are longest.
What is the latest sunset of the year in California?
The latest sunset in California in 2026 is at 8:38 PM on June 20 (America/Chicago). This occurs shortly after the summer solstice.
What time does it actually get dark after sunset in California?
After sunset at 8:04 PM in California, civil twilight ends at 8:32 PM — about 28 minutes later — when the sky becomes too dark for outdoor activities without artificial light. Full darkness (astronomical dusk) arrives at 9:42 PM (America/Chicago).
What these times mean
Solar times in California shift throughout the year. Each stage of the day brings distinct light that photographers, outdoor planners, and everyday users rely on.
- Dawn
- The first usable twilight before sunrise, when the horizon brightens and color gradually returns to the sky.
- Sunrise
- The moment the upper edge of the sun appears above the horizon, starting direct daylight.
- Golden Hour
- The low-angle window just after sunrise and just before sunset, producing warm, soft light favored by photographers.
- Sunset
- The moment the upper edge of the sun drops below the horizon, ending direct sunlight for the day.
- Dusk
- The fading twilight after sunset, ending with astronomical dusk when the sky becomes fully dark.
Monthly daylight in California
Sunrise, sunset, and total daylight in California on the 15th of each month for 2026. Times reflect the city's local timezone.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:26 AM | 5:13 PM | 9h 47m |
| February | 7:00 AM | 5:48 PM | 10h 47m |
| March | 7:21 AM | 7:17 PM | 11h 56m |
| April | 6:33 AM | 7:47 PM | 13h 13m |
| May | 5:58 AM | 8:15 PM | 14h 17m |
| June | 5:45 AM | 8:36 PM | 14h 51m |
| July | 5:58 AM | 8:34 PM | 14h 36m |
| August | 6:24 AM | 8:04 PM | 13h 40m |
| September | 6:51 AM | 7:18 PM | 12h 26m |
| October | 7:19 AM | 6:31 PM | 11h 12m |
| November | 6:52 AM | 4:56 PM | 10h 04m |
| December | 7:20 AM | 4:50 PM | 9h 29m |
Forecasts for California
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