LoupeLabMoon Phase in Los Angeles Today
Saturday, October 17, 2026 · United States
First Quarter
39% illuminated
Tonight’s Moon in Los Angeles
Best viewing at 6:30 PM facing S · 31° above horizon
The Moon & Los Angeles
high moon altitude in summer months
Lunar Culture in Los Angeles
The Tongva people, original inhabitants of the Los Angeles Basin, used lunar cycles to time acorn gathering and coastal fishing seasons. Today, LA's Griffith Observatory is one of the most visited public observatories in the world, offering free telescope viewing of the moon's surface on clear evenings. The observatory's Samuel Oschin Planetarium regularly features lunar programming.
How the Moon Affects Los Angeles
Southern California's surf culture tracks moon phases closely. King tides during perigean spring tides (when the full or new moon coincides with lunar perigee) cause notable coastal flooding along Malibu and Venice Beach. Surfers favor incoming tides around the full moon for larger swells at breaks like Rincon and Trestles.
Best Moon Viewing in Los Angeles
Griffith Observatory offers the best urban moon viewing on the West Coast. For darker skies, drive 90 minutes to Joshua Tree, where the full moon illuminates the desert landscape.
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Upcoming Lunar Events
Full MoonHunter's Moon
Sunday, October 25, 2026
New Moon
Sunday, November 8, 2026
Full MoonBeaver Moon
Tuesday, November 24, 2026
New Moon
Tuesday, December 8, 2026
Full MoonCold Moon
Wednesday, December 23, 2026
New Moon
Thursday, January 7, 2027
Moonphase Watches & Los Angeles
Set Your Moonphase Watch in Los Angeles
To set your moonphase complication in Los Angeles: wait for the next full moon (Sunday, October 25), then advance the moonphase disc to show a full moon centered in the aperture. Set the time to 1:34 PM local time. Use our drift calculator to check if your complication has drifted since you last set it.
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