LoupeLabMoon Phase in San Francisco Today
Monday, August 31, 2026 · United States
Waning Gibbous
82% illuminated
Tonight’s Moon in San Francisco
Best viewing at 10:45 PM facing ENE · 10° above horizon
The Moon & San Francisco
coastal fog can obscure but also create dramatic moonrise effects
Lunar Culture in San Francisco
San Francisco's relationship with the moon includes the Ohlone people's lunar calendars for acorn and shellfish harvesting. The California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park houses Morrison Planetarium, the largest all-digital planetarium in the world. The city's fog interacting with moonlight creates a phenomenon locals call 'moon glow,' where the fog layer illuminates from above.
How the Moon Affects San Francisco
The Golden Gate's tidal currents are among the strongest on the Pacific Coast, reaching 4.5 knots during spring tides. These lunar-driven currents affect ship traffic, recreational sailing, and the ecology of San Francisco Bay. The herring run in the bay, a critical fishery, is influenced by tidal patterns tied to moon phases.
Best Moon Viewing in San Francisco
Hawk Hill in the Marin Headlands offers a moonrise view framed by the Golden Gate Bridge. Fog permitting, Baker Beach and Lands End provide unobstructed western ocean views for moonset.
Sponsored
Upcoming Lunar Events
New Moon
Thursday, September 10, 2026
Full MoonHarvest Moon
Saturday, September 26, 2026
New Moon
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Full MoonHunter's Moon
Sunday, October 25, 2026
New Moon
Sunday, November 8, 2026
Full MoonBeaver Moon
Tuesday, November 24, 2026
Moonphase Watches & San Francisco
Set Your Moonphase Watch in San Francisco
To set your moonphase complication in San Francisco: wait for the next full moon (Saturday, September 26), then advance the moonphase disc to show a full moon centered in the aperture. Set the time to 9:15 PM local time. Use our drift calculator to check if your complication has drifted since you last set it.
Open Drift CalculatorSponsored