Sun Times in Santa Cruz
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Frequently Asked Questions
What time is sunrise in Santa Cruz?
Sunrise in Santa Cruz on Thursday, August 13, 2026 is at 5:39 AM (America/Mazatlan). This time is calculated from the city's coordinates.
What time is sunset in Santa Cruz?
Sunset in Santa Cruz on Thursday, August 13, 2026 is at 6:33 PM (America/Mazatlan). This time is calculated from the city's coordinates.
When is golden hour in Santa Cruz?
Morning golden hour in Santa Cruz ends at 6:10 AM. Evening golden hour starts at 6:03 PM.
How long is the day in Santa Cruz?
On Thursday, August 13, 2026 in Santa Cruz there are 12 hours and 54 minutes of daylight between sunrise and sunset.
What time is the sun at its highest point in Santa Cruz?
The sun reaches its highest point (solar noon) in Santa Cruz at 12:07 PM (America/Mazatlan). This is when the sun crosses the meridian and shadows are at their shortest.
What time does it get dark in Santa Cruz?
In Santa Cruz, sunset is at 6:33 PM and it gets fully dark (astronomical dusk) at 7:52 PM (America/Mazatlan). Civil twilight ends at 6:57 PM when outdoor activities need artificial light.
How long does twilight last in Santa Cruz?
Twilight in Santa Cruz lasts approximately 79 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 Santa Cruz?
The earliest sunrise in Santa Cruz in 2026 is at 5:18 AM on May 30 (America/Mazatlan). This occurs around the summer solstice when days are longest.
What is the latest sunset of the year in Santa Cruz?
The latest sunset in Santa Cruz in 2026 is at 6:50 PM on July 3 (America/Mazatlan). This occurs shortly after the summer solstice.
What time does it actually get dark after sunset in Santa Cruz?
After sunset at 6:33 PM in Santa Cruz, civil twilight ends at 6:57 PM — about 23 minutes later — when the sky becomes too dark for outdoor activities without artificial light. Full darkness (astronomical dusk) arrives at 7:52 PM (America/Mazatlan).
What these times mean
Solar times in Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz
Sunrise, sunset, and total daylight in Santa Cruz on the 15th of each month for 2026. Times reflect the city's local timezone.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6:43 AM | 5:40 PM | 10h 57m |
| February | 6:33 AM | 5:59 PM | 11h 26m |
| March | 6:10 AM | 6:11 PM | 12h 01m |
| April | 5:42 AM | 6:22 PM | 12h 40m |
| May | 5:23 AM | 6:34 PM | 13h 12m |
| June | 5:18 AM | 6:47 PM | 13h 28m |
| July | 5:27 AM | 6:48 PM | 13h 21m |
| August | 5:40 AM | 6:33 PM | 12h 53m |
| September | 5:49 AM | 6:05 PM | 12h 16m |
| October | 5:58 AM | 5:37 PM | 11h 39m |
| November | 6:14 AM | 5:19 PM | 11h 05m |
| December | 6:33 AM | 5:21 PM | 10h 48m |
Forecasts for Santa Cruz
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