San Francisco Sunrise & Sunset: January 2026

January Sunrise & Sunset in San Francisco: Complete Monthly Guide

In January 2026, San Francisco has an average of 9h 53m of daylight per day. Sunrise times range from 07:26 at the start of the month to 07:15 at the end, while sunset shifts from 17:02 to 17:32.

January in San Francisco brings short winter days with early sunsets. Average sunrise in January is 07:24 and average sunset is 17:16. The daily table above shows the exact sunrise and sunset time for each day of the month.

Day Length Variation in January

Day length in San Francisco in January changes throughout the month. Near the solstices (June 21 for the northern hemisphere, December 21 for the southern hemisphere), day length changes very slowly, less than 1 minute per day. Near the equinoxes (March 20 and September 22), day length changes rapidly, gaining or losing 2 to 4 minutes per day depending on latitude.

At San Francisco's latitude of 37.8°, the rate of day length change in January is approximately 2 to 3 minutes per day during the weeks furthest from the solstices. This means that sunrise in San Francisco shifts by approximately 40 to 60 minutes over the course of January.

Golden Hour in San Francisco in January

Golden hour in San Francisco in January occurs twice each day: in the morning shortly after sunrise, and in the evening before sunset. The duration depends on the sun's angle of elevation above the horizon, which varies with latitude and month. In Januaryat San Francisco's latitude of 37.8°, golden hour lasts approximately 40 to 65 minutes.

For photographers planning shoots in San Francisco in January: plan to arrive at your location 30 to 40 minutes before the listed sunrise time to capture blue hour before golden hour begins. The transition from blue hour to golden hour creates the most dramatic color sequences. Evening golden hour in January begins about 45 to 60 minutes before sunset and produces warmer, more orange tones than the morning session.

Blue Hour and Twilight in San Francisco in January

Civil twilight in San Francisco in January begins before sunrise and ends after sunset, creating windows of usable natural light even outside the official sunrise-to-sunset window. Civil twilight occurs when the sun is between 0 and 6 degrees below the horizon. Nautical twilight spans 6 to 12 degrees below the horizon. Astronomical twilight spans 12 to 18 degrees below the horizon.

The total twilight window in San Francisco in January extends the usable light day by approximately 45 to 70 minutes beyond the sunrise-to-sunset window. This extended twilight is valuable for photographers who want to shoot in soft, diffused light without harsh shadows.

Photography Tips for January in San Francisco

Shooting in San Francisco in January requires adapting to the season's specific light quality and timing. Camera settings for sunrise photography in January:

• Blue hour: ISO 800 to 1,600; aperture f/8; shutter speed 10 to 30 seconds on tripod.
• Golden hour: ISO 100 to 400; aperture f/8 to f/16 for landscapes, or f/1.8 to f/2.8 for portraits; shutter speed 1/250 to 1/1,000s handheld.
• Post-sunrise (30 minutes after): ISO 100; aperture f/11; shutter speed 1/500 to 1/2,000s.

In January, San Francisco's weather patterns affect photography conditions. Check cloud cover forecasts the evening before a planned shoot: a thin layer of clouds above the horizon creates more dramatic golden and orange tones than a clear sky. Fully overcast conditions produce flat, diffused light that is good for portraits but lacks the dramatic quality of golden hour. Partly cloudy skies create the most dramatic conditions.

About This Monthly Sunrise Data

All sunrise and sunset times in this January table for San Francisco are calculated using Jean Meeus astronomical algorithms, implemented via the SunCalc library. Calculations use the coordinates of San Francisco (37.7749°, -122.4194°) and the local timezone (America/Los_Angeles). Times are accurate to within 1 minute and account for atmospheric refraction.

The times shown are for the center of the sun crossing the horizon. Sunrise is defined as the moment when the upper limb of the sun first appears above the mathematical horizon. Sunset is when the upper limb disappears below the horizon. Both definitions account for atmospheric refraction, which lifts the apparent position of the sun by approximately 0.5 to 1 degree near the horizon.

Frequently Asked Questions: January Sunrise & Sunset in San Francisco

What is the average sunrise time in San Francisco in January?

The average sunrise time in San Francisco in January 2026 is approximately 07:24. This is based on the mid-month calculation for San Francisco at latitude 37.77° and longitude -122.42°. Actual daily sunrise times vary from 07:26 on the first of the month to 07:15 on the last day. See the full daily table above for exact times.

How many hours of daylight does San Francisco get in January?

San Francisco receives an average of 9h 53m of daylight per day in January 2026. This is calculated as the difference between sunrise and sunset and does not include twilight periods. Day length varies from 9h 36m on the first of the month to 10h 17m on the last day.

What is the earliest sunrise in San Francisco in January?

The earliest sunrise in San Francisco in January 2026 occurs on 2026-01-31 at 07:15. The latest sunrise in the month occurs on 2026-01-01 at 07:26.

What time is golden hour in San Francisco in January?

Golden hour in San Francisco in January occurs twice daily. Morning golden hour begins at sunrise (07:24 at mid-month) and lasts approximately 40 to 65 minutes. Evening golden hour begins approximately 45 to 60 minutes before sunset (17:16 at mid-month). The precise start of golden hour is when the sun's altitude drops below 6 degrees above the horizon.

Is January a good time to photograph sunrise in San Francisco?

January offers late sunrise times in San Francisco (around 07:24), which is convenient for photographers. Winter light is crisp and directional, and clear cold mornings often produce vivid color in the sky before and during sunrise.

When does civil twilight start in San Francisco in January?

Civil twilight in San Francisco in January begins approximately 20 to 30 minutes before sunrise and ends 20 to 30 minutes after sunset. At San Francisco's latitude of 37.8°, civil twilight in January starts around 06:59 in the morning. Civil twilight provides enough light for outdoor activities without artificial lighting and is considered the beginning of the usable photography window each day.