Blue hour · San Francisco
Blue hour
The short window before sunrise and after sunset when the sun is below the horizon and the sky glows an even, cool blue, ideal for cityscapes and balanced ambient light.
Light direction
Balance the lights
Shoot when ambient sky brightness matches artificial lights for a natural blend.
Bring a tripod
Light is low, so long exposures keep ISO down and detail clean.
Hold the blue
Resist over-warming in post; the cool cast is the point.
Blue hour in San Francisco on Tue, Jun 23
In San Francisco, blue hour runs from 5:17 AM to 5:29 AM in the morning and 8:54 PM to 9:06 PM in the evening. These are local times for Tue, Jun 23.
Blue hour is slower than golden hour. Set the frame before the color peaks, then watch the balance between the sky and local lights.
It is strongest for cityscapes, bridges, waterfronts, travel scenes and architecture. Keep an eye on bright signs and windows because they clip faster than the sky.
Frequently asked
- What time is blue hour in San Francisco?
- Blue hour in San Francisco runs from 5:17 AM to 5:29 AM in the morning and 8:54 PM to 9:06 PM in the evening on Tue, Jun 23.
- How long does blue hour last in San Francisco?
- Morning blue hour lasts 12m, and evening blue hour lasts 12m in San Francisco.
- Is blue hour before or after sunset in San Francisco?
- Both. Morning blue hour happens before sunrise, and evening blue hour happens after sunset while the sky still holds color.
- Is blue hour good for photography in San Francisco?
- Yes, especially for cityscapes, streets, architecture and waterfronts. The sky stays bright enough to hold detail while artificial lights begin to show.
