San Francisco, US Stargazing Forecast
high confidence ⓘ
Tonight's forecast has held steady across recent updates. We compare how much tonight's score has moved across our recent forecast updates, a score that's held steady is more trustworthy.
Confidence reflects how trustworthy the forecast is, it doesn't change the score.
Stargazing in San Francisco, US
San Francisco's coastal fog (especially summer's 'June gloom') is the main obstacle to observing — when it clears, the skies can be excellent. The city's Bortle 7 glow is partially offset by the dark Pacific Ocean to the west. Heading inland to the Central Valley or east to the Sierra Nevada reaches Bortle 3–4 within 2–3 hours. Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton is a historic Bay Area observing site. October through March typically brings the clearest and most stable conditions. If you're checking the San Francisco sky tonight, the fog is the wildcard — ClearSkys scores the night sky hour by hour so you can see whether it'll clear and when the window opens.
San Francisco, US Stargazing FAQ
Is the San Francisco sky clear tonight?∨
Can you stargaze in San Francisco?∨
Where is the best dark sky near San Francisco?∨
When is the best time to stargaze in the Bay Area?∨
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.