Sunrise and Sunset in Santa Cruz Today
In Santa Cruz, United States, the sun rises today on Thursday, November 5, 2026 at 06:36 and sets at 17:06. The day length is 10h 30m. Solar noon is reached at 11:51.
Santa Cruz: sun and clock
Today the sun is highest in Santa Cruz at 11:51 – 9 min before 12:00 on the clock.
The earliest sunrise of the year is on June 13 at 05:48, the latest on October 31 at 07:31.
The sun sets earliest on December 6 at 16:51 and latest on June 28 at 20:31.
The longest day of the year has 5 h 5 min more daylight than the shortest.
Santa Cruz through the year
Sunrise, sunset and day length on the 15th of every month – and the direction in which the sun sets.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day | Direction | Sunshine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 07:20 | 17:15 | 9 h 55 min | west-southwest 244° | 186 h |
| Feb | 06:56 | 17:48 | 10 h 52 min | west-southwest 255° | 208 h |
| Mar | 07:18 | 19:15 | 11 h 57 min | west 268° | 269 h |
| Apr | 06:33 | 19:43 | 13 h 9 min | west-northwest 283° | 309 h |
| May | 05:59 | 20:09 | 14 h 9 min | west-northwest 295° | 325 h |
| Jun | 05:48 | 20:29 | 14 h 41 min | west-northwest 300° | 311 h |
| Jul | 06:00 | 20:27 | 14 h 27 min | west-northwest 298° | 313 h |
| Aug | 06:25 | 19:59 | 13 h 34 min | west-northwest 288° | 287 h |
| Sep | 06:50 | 19:15 | 12 h 25 min | west 274° | 271 h |
| Oct | 07:15 | 18:31 | 11 h 15 min | west 260° | 247 h |
| Nov | 06:46 | 16:58 | 10 h 11 min | west-southwest 247° | 173 h |
| Dec | 07:14 | 16:52 | 9 h 38 min | west-southwest 241° | 161 h |
Direction of sunset: west-northwest (300°) in June, west-southwest (241°) in December.
Over the year the point where the sun sets moves 59° along the horizon.
Sunniest month: May with 325 hours of sunshine, dullest: December with 161 – 3,060 hours a year.
Times for the 15th of each month, computed with the NOAA method. Sunshine: station San Francisco/Mission Dolores, CA, mean 1961–1974 (NOAA).
Golden Hour in Santa Cruz
Morning: 06:19–07:13 · Evening: 16:29–17:23
The Golden Hour, also known as 'Magic Hour', is the most popular time for photographers and filmmakers. In Santa Cruz, the morning golden hour takes place today from 06:19 to 07:13. The evening golden hour extends from 16:29 to 17:23. During these times, warm, soft sunlight bathes the city in magical light.
Blue Hour in Santa Cruz
Morning: 06:09–06:19 · Evening: 17:23–17:33
The Blue Hour in Santa Cruz offers a unique, bluish-colored light in the sky. The morning blue hour takes place today from 06:09 to 06:19, just before sunrise. The evening blue hour extends from 17:23 to 17:33, right after sunset. This time is ideal for atmospheric cityscapes and landscape photography.
About Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is located at a latitude of 36.97° and a longitude of -122.03°. The city is in the America/Los_Angeles timezone. Depending on the season, sunrise and sunset times in Santa Cruz vary considerably – from short winter days to long summer days with twilight lasting late into the evening.
Seasons & Daylight in Santa Cruz
In spring, days grow noticeably longer in Santa Cruz. Sunrise moves earlier and sunset later, providing 12h 9m of daylight around the equinox. The golden and blue hours become particularly beautiful as the sun takes a lower arc across the sky.
Summer brings the longest days to Santa Cruz, with up to 14h 42m of daylight around the solstice. The sun rises early and sets late, and twilight can linger well into the night at higher latitudes. Perfect for evening photography sessions.
Autumn in Santa Cruz sees rapidly shortening days. The quality of light becomes warmer and more golden as the sun sits lower in the sky. With 12h 9m of daylight around the equinox, the golden hour stretches into a more extended period.
Winter in Santa Cruz brings the shortest days with only 9h 37m of daylight near the solstice. However, the low sun angle creates dramatic long shadows and a warm, golden light throughout much of the day – a photographer's dream for moody atmospheric shots.
Cities near Santa Cruz
On the same latitude as Santa Cruz
These cities lie on almost the same latitude as Santa Cruz (37° N): on every day of the year they get almost exactly as much daylight – 10h 30m today – only at other clock times and in a very different climate.
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Questions about the sun in Santa Cruz
When does the sun rise in Santa Cruz today?
Today the sun rises in Santa Cruz at 06:36 and sets at 17:06.
How long is the day in Santa Cruz today?
The day lasts 10h 30m today, from sunrise to sunset.
When is the golden hour in Santa Cruz today?
In the morning from 06:19–07:13, in the evening from 16:29–17:23.
When is the longest day in Santa Cruz?
The day is longest around the summer solstice with 14h 42m of daylight, shortest around the winter solstice with 9h 37m.
When does it get dark in Santa Cruz today?
It is dark from 17:33, fully dark from 18:34.
Times are calculated using NOAA algorithms based on the geographic coordinates of Santa Cruz. All times are in local time. How it is calculated