San Diego Sunrise & Sunset: May 2026
Day-by-day sunrise and sunset times with golden hour data
In San Diego in May, sunrise averages 05:50 and sunset averages 19:42. Days are getting longer through May at San Diego's latitude of 32.7°. Golden hour lasts approximately 30 to 60 minutes after sunrise and before sunset. Times are accurate to within 1 minute.
Avg Sunrise
05:50
Avg Sunset
19:42
Avg Daylight
13h 51m
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Monthly Sunrise & Sunset Table: San Diego
| Date | Day | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/01 | Fri | 06:02 | 19:31 | 13h 28m |
| 05/02 | Sat | 06:01 | 19:31 | 13h 30m |
| 05/03 | Sun | 06:00 | 19:32 | 13h 32m |
| 05/04 | Mon | 05:59 | 19:33 | 13h 33m |
| 05/05 | Tue | 05:59 | 19:34 | 13h 35m |
| 05/06 | Wed | 05:58 | 19:34 | 13h 37m |
| 05/07 | Thu | 05:57 | 19:35 | 13h 38m |
| 05/08 | Fri | 05:56 | 19:36 | 13h 40m |
| 05/09 | Sat | 05:55 | 19:37 | 13h 41m |
| 05/10 | Sun | 05:54 | 19:37 | 13h 43m |
| 05/11 | Mon | 05:54 | 19:38 | 13h 44m |
| 05/12 | Tue | 05:53 | 19:39 | 13h 46m |
| 05/13 | Wed | 05:52 | 19:40 | 13h 47m |
| 05/14 | Thu | 05:51 | 19:40 | 13h 49m |
| 05/15 | Fri | 05:51 | 19:41 | 13h 50m |
| 05/16 | Sat | 05:50 | 19:42 | 13h 52m |
| 05/17 | Sun | 05:49 | 19:42 | 13h 53m |
| 05/18 | Mon | 05:49 | 19:43 | 13h 54m |
| 05/19 | Tue | 05:48 | 19:44 | 13h 56m |
| 05/20 | Wed | 05:48 | 19:45 | 13h 57m |
| 05/21 | Thu | 05:47 | 19:45 | 13h 58m |
| 05/22 | Fri | 05:47 | 19:46 | 13h 59m |
| 05/23 | Sat | 05:46 | 19:47 | 14h 01m |
| 05/24 | Sun | 05:46 | 19:47 | 14h 02m |
| 05/25 | Mon | 05:45 | 19:48 | 14h 03m |
| 05/26 | Tue | 05:45 | 19:49 | 14h 04m |
| 05/27 | Wed | 05:44 | 19:49 | 14h 05m |
| 05/28 | Thu | 05:44 | 19:50 | 14h 06m |
| 05/29 | Fri | 05:44 | 19:51 | 14h 07m |
| 05/30 | Sat | 05:43 | 19:51 | 14h 08m |
| 05/31 | Sun | 05:43 | 19:52 | 14h 09m |
Daylight Hours Throughout the Year
May Sunrise & Sunset in San Diego: Complete Monthly Guide
In May 2026, San Diego has an average of 13h 51m of daylight per day. Sunrise times range from 06:02 at the start of the month to 05:43 at the end, while sunset shifts from 19:31 to 19:52.
May in San Diego brings lengthening spring days. Average sunrise in May is 05:50 and average sunset is 19:42. The daily table above shows the exact sunrise and sunset time for each day of the month.
Day Length Variation in May
Day length in San Diego in May changes throughout the month. Near the solstices (June 21 for the northern hemisphere, December 21 for the southern hemisphere), day length changes very slowly, less than 1 minute per day. Near the equinoxes (March 20 and September 22), day length changes rapidly, gaining or losing 2 to 4 minutes per day depending on latitude.
At San Diego's latitude of 32.7°, the rate of day length change in May is approximately 1 to 2 minutes per day during the weeks furthest from the solstices. This means that sunrise in San Diego shifts by approximately 20 to 40 minutes over the course of May.
Golden Hour in San Diego in May
Golden hour in San Diego in May occurs twice each day: in the morning shortly after sunrise, and in the evening before sunset. The duration depends on the sun's angle of elevation above the horizon, which varies with latitude and month. In Mayat San Diego's latitude of 32.7°, golden hour lasts approximately 40 to 65 minutes.
For photographers planning shoots in San Diego in May: plan to arrive at your location 30 to 40 minutes before the listed sunrise time to capture blue hour before golden hour begins. The transition from blue hour to golden hour creates the most dramatic color sequences. Evening golden hour in May begins about 45 to 60 minutes before sunset and produces warmer, more orange tones than the morning session.
Blue Hour and Twilight in San Diego in May
Civil twilight in San Diego in May begins before sunrise and ends after sunset, creating windows of usable natural light even outside the official sunrise-to-sunset window. Civil twilight occurs when the sun is between 0 and 6 degrees below the horizon. Nautical twilight spans 6 to 12 degrees below the horizon. Astronomical twilight spans 12 to 18 degrees below the horizon.
The total twilight window in San Diego in May extends the usable light day by approximately 45 to 70 minutes beyond the sunrise-to-sunset window. This extended twilight is valuable for photographers who want to shoot in soft, diffused light without harsh shadows.
Photography Tips for May in San Diego
Shooting in San Diego in May requires adapting to the season's specific light quality and timing. Camera settings for sunrise photography in May:
- Blue hour: ISO 800 to 1,600; aperture f/8; shutter speed 10 to 30 seconds on tripod.
- Golden hour: ISO 100 to 400; aperture f/8 to f/16 for landscapes, or f/1.8 to f/2.8 for portraits; shutter speed 1/250 to 1/1,000s handheld.
- Post-sunrise (30 minutes after): ISO 100; aperture f/11; shutter speed 1/500 to 1/2,000s.
In May, San Diego's weather patterns affect photography conditions. Check cloud cover forecasts the evening before a planned shoot: a thin layer of clouds above the horizon creates more dramatic golden and orange tones than a clear sky. Fully overcast conditions produce flat, diffused light that is good for portraits but lacks the dramatic quality of golden hour. Partly cloudy skies create the most dramatic conditions.
About This Monthly Sunrise Data
All sunrise and sunset times in this May table for San Diego are calculated using Jean Meeus astronomical algorithms, implemented via the SunCalc library. Calculations use the coordinates of San Diego (32.7157°, -117.1611°) and the local timezone (America/Los_Angeles). Times are accurate to within 1 minute and account for atmospheric refraction.
The times shown are for the center of the sun crossing the horizon. Sunrise is defined as the moment when the upper limb of the sun first appears above the mathematical horizon. Sunset is when the upper limb disappears below the horizon. Both definitions account for atmospheric refraction, which lifts the apparent position of the sun by approximately 0.5 to 1 degree near the horizon.
Frequently Asked Questions: May Sunrise & Sunset in San Diego
What is the average sunrise time in San Diego in May?
The average sunrise time in San Diego in May 2026 is approximately 05:50. This is based on the mid-month calculation for San Diego at latitude 32.72° and longitude -117.16°. Actual daily sunrise times vary from 06:02 on the first of the month to 05:43 on the last day. See the full daily table above for exact times.
How many hours of daylight does San Diego get in May?
San Diego receives an average of 13h 51m of daylight per day in May 2026. This is calculated as the difference between sunrise and sunset and does not include twilight periods. Day length varies from 13h 28m on the first of the month to 14h 09m on the last day.
What is the earliest sunrise in San Diego in May?
The earliest sunrise in San Diego in May 2026 occurs on 2026-05-30 at 05:43. The latest sunrise in the month occurs on 2026-05-01 at 06:02.
What time is golden hour in San Diego in May?
Golden hour in San Diego in May occurs twice daily. Morning golden hour begins at sunrise (05:50 at mid-month) and lasts approximately 40 to 65 minutes. Evening golden hour begins approximately 45 to 60 minutes before sunset (19:42 at mid-month). The precise start of golden hour is when the sun's altitude drops below 6 degrees above the horizon.
Is May a good time to photograph sunrise in San Diego?
Yes. May is an excellent month for sunrise photography in San Diego. Spring light is clean and warm, days are lengthening rapidly, and temperatures are generally comfortable for outdoor shoots. Sunrise at around 05:50 is a reasonable wake-up time for most photographers.
When does civil twilight start in San Diego in May?
Civil twilight in San Diego in May begins approximately 20 to 30 minutes before sunrise and ends 20 to 30 minutes after sunset. At San Diego's latitude of 32.7°, civil twilight in May starts around 05:25 in the morning. Civil twilight provides enough light for outdoor activities without artificial lighting and is considered the beginning of the usable photography window each day.