San Diego, US Clear Sky Chart

San Diego, US (32.72°, -117.16°) · Updated 07:31 PDT
20
Poor
high confidence ⓘ
high · Forecast lead time

Based on how far ahead tonight is, forecasts are most reliable within 24–48 hours.

Confidence reflects how trustworthy the forecast is, it doesn't change the score.

Probably skip tonight
Heavy cloud expected with moderate moon interference. Some dew risk later in the night.
Sunset
18:00
Sunrise
07:04
Usable Hours
0/11
Moon
78%
Visible Planets
♂ Mars59° SE
♃ Jupiter53° E
♄ Saturn59° S
⛢ Uranus78° S
♆ Neptune57° S
Sky darkness
City sky (Bortle 8-9)
SQM 17.6, estimated from satellite night lights. A property of the place, separate from tonight’s score. How we estimate this
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Hour-by-hour scores · Planet rise/set & visibility · ISS & satellite passes · Moon detail · Full score breakdown · Aurora & observer profiles

Stargazing in San Diego, US

San Diego's Bortle 7–8 coastal glow gives way to excellent dark skies in the mountains and deserts to the east. Mount Laguna and the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park reach Bortle 3–2 within 60–90 minutes, and the historic Palomar Observatory sits in the hills to the north. Southern California's famously dry, stable air gives outstanding transparency and seeing for much of the year, and the coastal marine layer that brings morning cloud usually clears the inland observing sites. At 32.7°N, the southern sky is well presented.

San Diego, US Stargazing FAQ

Where can I stargaze near San Diego?∨
Mount Laguna and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park reach Bortle 2-3 within 60-90 minutes east. Anza-Borrego is a designated Dark Sky community. The historic Palomar Observatory is in the hills to the north.
Is San Diego good for astronomy?∨
The coast carries city light pollution, but Southern California's dry, stable air gives excellent seeing, and genuinely dark desert and mountain skies are only an hour or so inland. The marine layer usually stays on the coast.
When is the best time to stargaze near San Diego?∨
Conditions are good much of the year thanks to the dry climate. Autumn and winter bring the clearest desert skies; spring wildflower season is popular at Anza-Borrego. The Milky Way core is best April-October.

Stargazing guides

Is Tonight Good for Stargazing?

The answer depends on five things you can check right now.

Light Pollution & the Bortle Scale

How dark is your sky: and what difference does it make?

What Planets Are Visible Tonight?

Real visibility data for all 7 naked-eye and telescope planets, calculated for your location.

Meteor Shower Calendar 2026

Every shower this year: peak dates, expected rates, moon interference, and the two you absolutely cannot miss.

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