San Francisco, US Clear Sky Chart

San Francisco, US (37.77°, -122.42°) · Updated 07:36 PDT
42
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.

Marginal, check the window
BEST 19:00–20:00 (1h)
Partly cloudy with some clear gaps with moderate moon interference. Some haze, so transparency is slightly reduced.
Sunset
18:15
Sunrise
07:32
Usable Hours
5/12
Moon
87%
Visible Planets
♂ Mars57° SE
♃ Jupiter50° SE
♄ Saturn54° S
⛢ Uranus73° S
♆ Neptune52° S
Sky darkness
City sky (Bortle 8-9)
SQM 17.8, estimated from satellite night lights. A property of the place, separate from tonight’s score. How we estimate this
Open Full San Francisco, US Forecast →
Hour-by-hour scores · Planet rise/set & visibility · ISS & satellite passes · Moon detail · Full score breakdown · Aurora & observer profiles

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?∨
ClearSkys scores the San Francisco night sky hour by hour. Fog is the deciding factor here, so the hourly breakdown shows whether it'll burn off and when tonight's clearest window opens — in the city or inland.
Can you stargaze in San Francisco?∨
Summer fog is the main challenge — San Francisco's 'June gloom' can persist for weeks. When it clears, the dark Pacific horizon to the west helps. Winter (October through March) brings the most reliable clear conditions.
Where is the best dark sky near San Francisco?∨
The Sierra Nevada mountains (2-3 hours east) reach Bortle 3-4. Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton is a historic Bay Area observing site. Heading south, Big Sur's coast offers dark western horizons.
When is the best time to stargaze in the Bay Area?∨
October through March typically brings the clearest and most stable conditions. Summer fog is persistent along the coast but clears inland. Autumn offshore winds can bring exceptional transparency.

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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