Dawn and first light in San Francisco
First light (civil dawn) in San Francisco today is at 05:41, about 29 minutes before the sun rises at 06:10. The very first glow, astronomical dawn, begins at 04:26. Times for Tuesday, 28 July 2026, in San Francisco'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 | 05:05 |
| Civil dawn (first light) | sun 6° below, enough light to see | 05:41 |
| Sunrise | the sun clears the horizon | 06:10 |
Dawn in San Francisco, stage by stage
Dawn in San Francisco 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 Francisco's coordinates and shown in its local time zone.
Frequently asked questions about dawn in San Francisco
What time is first light in San Francisco today?
First light (civil dawn) in San Francisco is at 05:41 on Tuesday, 28 July 2026, about 29 minutes before sunrise at 06:10. All times are in San Francisco's local time zone.
What is the difference between dawn and sunrise in San Francisco?
Dawn is the growing twilight before the sun appears; sunrise is the single instant the sun's edge clears the horizon in San Francisco. First light (civil dawn) comes first, then sunrise.
When does astronomical dawn start in San Francisco?
Astronomical dawn, the first faint light with the sun 18 degrees below the horizon, begins at 04:26 in San Francisco on Tuesday, 28 July 2026.
Every time on this page is computed from San Francisco's coordinates with SunCalc, not estimated or looked up from a table.