Sunrise
Griffith Observatory
Area: Griffith Park, Hollywood Hills
This hillside terrace overlooks downtown LA and the Hollywood Sign; it's quieter in the early morning, when sunrise light sharpens the skyline.
A city-focused calendar of blue hour, golden hour, sunrise, sunset and moon phase for planning dawn, dusk, cityscape and travel shoots in Los Angeles.
| Date | Blue hour | Golden hour | Sunrise | Sunset | Tonight's Moon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-08-26 | 05:55-06:21 / 19:27-19:53 | 06:21-06:55 / 18:54-19:27 | 06:21 | 19:27 | Waxing Gibbous 98% |
| 2026-08-27 | 05:56-06:22 / 19:26-19:52 | 06:22-06:56 / 18:53-19:26 | 06:22 | 19:26 | Full Moon 100% |
| 2026-08-28 | 05:57-06:23 / 19:25-19:51 | 06:23-06:56 / 18:51-19:25 | 06:23 | 19:25 | Waning Gibbous 100% |
| 2026-08-29 | 05:58-06:23 / 19:24-19:49 | 06:23-06:57 / 18:50-19:24 | 06:23 | 19:24 | Waning Gibbous 97% |
| 2026-08-30 | 05:58-06:24 / 19:22-19:48 | 06:24-06:58 / 18:49-19:22 | 06:24 | 19:22 | Waning Gibbous 92% |
| 2026-08-31 | 05:59-06:25 / 19:21-19:46 | 06:25-06:58 / 18:48-19:21 | 06:25 | 19:21 | Waning Gibbous 86% |
| 2026-09-01 | 06:00-06:25 / 19:20-19:45 | 06:25-06:59 / 18:46-19:20 | 06:25 | 19:20 | Waning Gibbous 77% |
Today the Sun rises from East (77°) and sets toward West (283°); choose the foreground by direction before timing the shot.
Daylight in Los Angeles is shrinking by about 14 minutes week over week; today lasts about 13h 06m.
Today’s morning/evening golden-hour windows in Los Angeles are about 34 / 34 minutes.
Across these seven days, 2026-08-27 has the brightest moon (100%), while 2026-09-01 is darkest (77%); choose by whether you want foreground light or stars.
Use the local times above to plan when to arrive, then choose a viewpoint by direction: east and southeast for sunrise, west coast for sunset.
Sunrise
Area: Griffith Park, Hollywood Hills
This hillside terrace overlooks downtown LA and the Hollywood Sign; it's quieter in the early morning, when sunrise light sharpens the skyline.
Sunset
Area: Santa Monica Beach
The pier's Ferris wheel against the Pacific horizon is one of LA's classic sunset scenes, and the pier lights add atmosphere once the sun is down.
Sunset
Area: Venice, boardwalk
The boardwalk buzzes with street performers by day; as the crowds thin toward evening, the beach and ocean turn warm colours before sunset.
This calendar lays out upcoming twilight windows so you can choose warm light, cool light, silhouettes, or Moon shots before leaving.
Blue hour
Before sunrise and after sunset, the sky still has tone while street and building lights become visible. It is strong for bridges, streets, skylines, and reflections.
Golden hour
Low Sun angles create softer light and longer shadows. Landscapes, portraits, coastlines, and ridgelines gain clearer direction in this window.
Moon
Bright moonlight can reveal foreground detail but may reduce star contrast. If you want the Moon in frame, also check moonrise, moonset, and direction.
The best light lasts only minutes. Having a visual idea before arrival is more reliable than searching at the peak.
Arrival
Sunrise and sunset change quickly. Arrive 20 to 30 minutes early to test composition, safe movement, and backup angles.
Frame
Reflections, wet pavement, street lamps, silhouettes, ridgelines, and buildings often carry the image. The timetable tells you when light arrives; the scene makes the photo.
Backup
A blocked sunset is not a failed trip. Cloud texture, silhouettes, street lights, wet reflections, and blue hour can all become alternative subjects.
Related tools: Sunrise & Sunset · Photography Golden Hour Planner · Stargazing & Moon Viewing Score