LoupeLabMoon Phase in San Diego Today
Friday, October 16, 2026 · United States
First Quarter
37% illuminated
Tonight’s Moon in San Diego
Best viewing at 6:30 PM facing S · 32° above horizon
The Moon & San Diego
excellent year-round lunar visibility
Lunar Culture in San Diego
San Diego's Kumeyaay people tracked lunar cycles to time seed gathering and coastal shellfish harvesting. The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park carries on astronomical education with its IMAX dome theater. The city's proximity to Palomar Observatory (home to the famous 200-inch Hale Telescope) connects it to a rich astronomical research tradition.
How the Moon Affects San Diego
San Diego's coastline experiences mixed semidiurnal tides strongly influenced by lunar position. Tidal pools at Cabrillo National Monument are best explored at low spring tides during new and full moons. The city's sport fishing fleet, operating from Point Loma, uses lunar-based solunar charts to predict yellowtail and bluefin tuna feeding activity.
Best Moon Viewing in San Diego
Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma offers unobstructed ocean-horizon moonrise views. With over 200 clear nights per year, San Diego is one of the best cities in North America for consistent lunar observation.
Sponsored
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 & San Diego
Set Your Moonphase Watch in San Diego
To set your moonphase complication in San Diego: 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 1:26 PM local time. Use our drift calculator to check if your complication has drifted since you last set it.
Open Drift CalculatorSponsored