Dawn and first light in San Diego
First light (civil dawn) in San Diego today is at 05:33, about 27 minutes before the sun rises at 06:00. The very first glow, astronomical dawn, begins at 04:26. Times for Tuesday, 28 July 2026, in San Diego's local time zone.
| Stage | What it means | Local time |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomical dawn | sun 18° below, first trace of light | 04:26 |
| Nautical dawn | sun 12° below, horizon visible at sea | 05:00 |
| Civil dawn (first light) | sun 6° below, enough light to see | 05:33 |
| Sunrise | the sun clears the horizon | 06:00 |
Dawn in San Diego, stage by stage
Dawn in San Diego unfolds in three stages before the sun appears. Astronomical dawn is the first faint light, when the sun is 18 degrees below the horizon. Nautical dawn follows at 12 degrees, and civil dawn, the moment there is enough light to see and move around, arrives at 6 degrees below. This civil dawn is what most people call first light. From there the sky brightens quickly to sunrise. The whole sequence is longer at high latitudes, where the sun climbs toward the horizon at a shallow angle, and short and fast near the equator. Every time here is computed for San Diego's coordinates and shown in its local time zone.
Frequently asked questions about dawn in San Diego
What time is first light in San Diego today?
First light (civil dawn) in San Diego is at 05:33 on Tuesday, 28 July 2026, about 27 minutes before sunrise at 06:00. All times are in San Diego's local time zone.
What is the difference between dawn and sunrise in San Diego?
Dawn is the growing twilight before the sun appears; sunrise is the single instant the sun's edge clears the horizon in San Diego. First light (civil dawn) comes first, then sunrise.
When does astronomical dawn start in San Diego?
Astronomical dawn, the first faint light with the sun 18 degrees below the horizon, begins at 04:26 in San Diego on Tuesday, 28 July 2026.
Every time on this page is computed from San Diego's coordinates with SunCalc, not estimated or looked up from a table.