Sunset time in San Francisco

Sunset in San Francisco through the year

The longest day of 2026 is June 21, with 14 h 47 min between sunrise and sunset; the shortest is December 21, with 9 h 33 min. The earliest sunset around midwinter (December 6, 4:50 PM) comes 15 days before the shortest day (December 21): from then on sunsets get later even though the days are still getting shorter, because sunrise is getting later even faster. In 2026 clocks go forward on March 8 and back on November 1; sunset jumps an hour later when clocks go forward and an hour earlier when they go back.

Golden hour and blue hour in San Francisco

The evening golden hour in San Francisco lasts about 35 minutes around the March and September equinoxes, 39 minutes in late June and 41 minutes in late December. The blue hour after sunset lasts about 26, 31 and 29 minutes at those same times of year. Head out about 35 minutes before sunset to catch both.

How long the evening light lasts in San Francisco, month by month

San Francisco lies at 37.8° N, and the further a place is from the equator the more slowly the sun sinks at sunset, so the evening golden hour here runs from 35 minutes in March to 41 minutes in December, against 27 to 30 minutes all year at the equator.

How long is golden hour in San Francisco? has the same numbers with answers to the common questions.

Where to watch the sunset in San Francisco

Ocean Beach, Lands End and Baker Beach face the Pacific, with the Golden Gate Bridge in view from Baker Beach. Summer fog often sits on the coast in the evening, so check it before you go; Twin Peaks sometimes sits above it.

How these times are calculated

Times are computed for San Francisco (37.77° N, 122.42° W) with the NOAA solar-position algorithm, for a flat horizon, in local time (America/Los Angeles). They are usually within a minute of published tables. Hills, buildings and weather can hide the sun a few minutes earlier than shown.