LoupeLabMoon Phase in San Francisco Today
Wednesday, April 1, 2026 · United States
Full Moon
100% illuminated
Tonight’s Moon in San Francisco
Best viewing at 10:45 PM facing SE · 31° 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.
Advertisement
Upcoming Lunar Events
Full MoonPink Moon
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
New Moon
Friday, April 17, 2026
Full MoonFlower Moon
Friday, May 1, 2026
New Moon
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Full MoonFlower Moon
Sunday, May 31, 2026
New Moon
Sunday, June 14, 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 (Wednesday, April 1), then advance the moonphase disc to show a full moon centered in the aperture. Set the time to 6:39 PM local time. Use our drift calculator to check if your complication has drifted since you last set it.
Open Drift CalculatorAdvertisement