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San Francisco

Golden hour & blue hour times

Friday, Feb 6

Sunrise

7:17 AM

Sunset

5:31 PM

Morning Golden
6:47 AM - 7:47 AM
Evening Golden
5:01 PM - 6:01 PM
Blue Hour
6:27 AM - 6:47 AM

Showing times for Friday, February 6, 2026(Today)

24-Hour Timeline

Drag or tap to explore light conditions throughout the day

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12:00 AM

Condition

Night

Night
Blue Hour
Golden Hour
Daylight

Both sunrise & sunset are stunning

Sunrise

Sunrise over the Bay Bridge and fog rolling through the Golden Gate are quintessentially SF.

Sunset

Golden Gate Bridge at sunset with fog is one of the world's most photographed scenes.

Photography tips for San Francisco

1

The Golden Gate Bridge from Battery Spencer (Marin side) offers the classic sunset angle.

2

Marshall's Beach provides an intimate, ground-level view of the Golden Gate at sunset.

3

Fog at the Golden Gate is most common in summer mornings—Karl the Fog is famous.

4

Twin Peaks provides 360° views of the city, Bay Bridge, and Golden Gate.

5

Baker Beach offers Golden Gate sunset views with sand in the foreground.

6

Pier 7 provides clean lines and Bay Bridge sunrise compositions.

7

The Palace of Fine Arts is magical in soft morning or evening light.

8

Coit Tower offers North Beach and waterfront views at golden hour.

9

Treasure Island mid-bay has unique city skyline sunset angles.

10

The Painted Ladies at Alamo Square are often backlit at sunset—try morning for front light.

Best photography spots in San Francisco

Battery Spencer

sunset

Elevated Golden Gate Bridge view from Marin

Tip: Very limited parking, arrive early or Uber

Marshall's Beach

sunset

Secluded beach beneath the Golden Gate

Tip: Steep trail down, bring layers

Twin Peaks

Both

360° city panorama from the center

Tip: Fog often sits below, creating a sea of clouds

Pier 7

sunrise

Wooden pier with Bay Bridge views

Tip: Empty in early morning

Palace of Fine Arts

sunrise

Romanesque rotunda with reflecting pool

Tip: Soft morning light on the columns

Coit Tower

sunset

Art Deco tower with 360° views

Tip: Walk up Telegraph Hill for exercise

Baker Beach

sunset

Sandy beach with Golden Gate views

Tip: Nude beach section at north end

Alamo Square

sunrise

Painted Ladies Victorian houses

Tip: Morning light illuminates facades

Weather Tips

SF is famous for fog, especially in summer. Fog can create dramatic shots but may also obscure landmarks.

Best Months

September-October for warm, clear "second summer" weather and excellent visibility.

#SFGoldenHour#GoldenGateBridge#KarlTheFog#SanFranciscoPhotography

Annual Overview

Year Heatmap

See how golden hour times shift throughout the year in San Francisco. Plan your trips around the best light.

Hover over cells to see details

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Light Conditions

Night

Stars, low light

Blue Hour

Twilight, city lights

Golden Hour

Warm, soft light

Daylight

Bright, even

Planning a trip to San Francisco?

Use these golden hour times to capture perfect photos, then organize them into a beautiful travel journal with TripMemo.

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Document Your San Francisco Trip

Frequently Asked Questions

Golden hour and blue hour in San Francisco, explained.

When is golden hour in San Francisco?

Golden hour happens shortly after sunrise and before sunset, but the exact times change by date. Use the date picker above to see golden hour times for San Francisco on your travel dates.

When is blue hour in San Francisco?

Blue hour is the twilight period before sunrise and after sunset. The exact blue hour window depends on the date and location—check the times shown on this page for San Francisco.

Is sunrise or sunset better for photography in San Francisco?

Both sunrise and sunset are excellent in San Francisco. Sunrise: Sunrise over the Bay Bridge and fog rolling through the Golden Gate are quintessentially SF. Sunset: Golden Gate Bridge at sunset with fog is one of the world's most photographed scenes.

What are the best photography spots in San Francisco?

Top photography spots include Battery Spencer, Marshall's Beach, Twin Peaks. Each location has optimal times for either sunrise or sunset photography.

How accurate are these sunrise and sunset times?

Times are calculated using the city's coordinates (37.77°, -122.42°) and local time zone. They're designed for planning photography and travel itineraries.

How long does golden hour last in San Francisco?

Golden hour typically lasts 20–40 minutes. At San Francisco's latitude (38°N), it stays fairly consistent throughout the year.

What's the best time of year to visit San Francisco for photography?

September-October for warm, clear "second summer" weather and excellent visibility.

What should I know about weather in San Francisco?

SF is famous for fog, especially in summer. Fog can create dramatic shots but may also obscure landmarks.

How should I plan a golden hour shoot?

Aim to arrive 15–30 minutes early to scout your spot, set up your gear, and be ready when the light peaks. Consider a second shoot during blue hour right after sunset.

Can I save these golden hour times for my trip?

Yes! Use the date picker to check times for your specific travel dates. Consider using TripMemo to document your golden hour photos and create a travel journal of your San Francisco trip.

Golden Hour & Blue Hour Times in San Francisco, United States | TripMemo