LoupeLabMoon Phase in San Diego Today
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 · United States
Waning Crescent
21% illuminated
Tonight’s Moon in San Diego
Best viewing at 11:00 AM facing SW · 51° 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.
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Upcoming Lunar Events
New Moon
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Full MoonFlower Moon
Sunday, May 31, 2026
New Moon
Sunday, June 14, 2026
Full MoonStrawberry Moon
Monday, June 29, 2026
New Moon
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Full MoonBuck Moon
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
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, May 31), then advance the moonphase disc to show a full moon centered in the aperture. Set the time to 3:02 AM local time. Use our drift calculator to check if your complication has drifted since you last set it.
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