Tonight's Moon
The Moon Tracker
The moon shapes the rhythm of the San Diego coast more than most visitors realize. Its gravity drives the daily tide cycle — deciding when tide pools open at Cabrillo, when reef breaks at Sunset Cliffs come alive, and when sea caves are safe to enter. Its phase determines whether tonight is dark enough for stargazing or bright enough for a midnight beach walk. And twice a year, its orbital geometry produces the king tides that reshape the shoreline.
Below is tonight's lunar data — current phase, illumination percentage, moonrise and moonset times — along with a guide to how the moon and tides interact across the San Diego coast. Whether you're planning a tide-pool visit, timing a surf session, or picking a night for stargazing at Torrey Pines, the lunar cycle is the variable most people overlook and the one that makes the biggest difference.
San Diego sits at roughly 32.7°N latitude, which gives it a moderate tidal range and excellent visibility of the moon through most of the year. The coast faces west, so while moonrise happens over the inland mountains, moonset over the Pacific — especially around a full moon at dawn — is one of the most dramatic sights available to early risers.
Lunar Tracker
Tonight's Moon over San Diego
Live lunar phase, illumination, and the next full moon — perfect for planning beach nights and tide pool walks.
Unable to load lunar data. Please try again.
Data source: U.S. Naval Observatory
Best for
Find your perfect match
Best for tide-pool timing
Top pick: New & full moon spring tidesThe largest low tides expose the most marine life — check the tide chart near new and full moons.
Best for stargazing
Top pick: New moon nightsDarkest skies for seeing stars and planets. Head to Torrey Pines or Anza-Borrego for the clearest views.
Best for moonset photography
Top pick: Full moon at dawnThe full moon setting over the Pacific at first light — best from Sunset Cliffs or the Torrey Pines bluffs.
Best for consistent surf tides
Top pick: Quarter moon neap tidesSmaller tidal swings mean reef breaks hold their shape longer through the session.
Best for king tide watching
Top pick: Perigee + new/full moonThe highest tides of the year — dramatic spray at Sunset Cliffs and flooding at low-lying beaches.
Best for a moonlit beach walk
Top pick: Full moon eveningsA full moon lights the sand enough to walk without a flashlight — try Coronado or La Jolla Shores.
Know before you go
Plan it like a local
Track the phase for tide planning
Spring tides (largest swings) cluster around new and full moons. Neap tides (smallest swings) happen at quarter moons. The moon phase tells you the tide character before you even check the chart.
Moonset is the San Diego show
The coast faces west, so you won't see moonrise over the ocean — but moonset over the Pacific is spectacular, especially at dawn around a full moon.
Dark-sky nights need planning
New moon nights are best for stargazing, but coastal light pollution limits visibility. Drive 90 minutes east to Anza-Borrego for Bortle 2–3 skies.
Supermoons boost tides
When a full moon coincides with perigee (closest approach), tides run higher than usual. Check the calendar and expect larger swings.
Night beach walks are legal
San Diego beaches are open 24 hours. A full-moon walk on hard sand at Coronado or La Jolla Shores is a signature local experience.
Use a red-light flashlight
If you're stargazing, a red-filtered light preserves your night vision. White phone screens ruin adaptation for 20+ minutes.
FAQ
Frequently asked
- How does the moon affect ocean tides in San Diego?
- The moon's gravitational pull is the primary driver of tides. When the sun, moon, and Earth align (new and full moons), their combined gravity creates spring tides — the largest daily swings between high and low water. During quarter moons, the sun and moon pull at right angles, producing neap tides with the smallest swings. San Diego's mixed semidiurnal pattern means two highs and two lows per day, with noticeable height differences driven by the moon's position.
- What is a king tide and when does it happen?
- King tides are the highest predicted tides of the year, occurring when the moon is closest to Earth (perigee) near a new or full moon. In San Diego they typically arrive in December–January and again in June–July. King tides can exceed 7 feet and cause coastal flooding, dramatic wave run-up, and temporary beach narrowing. They're a powerful preview of future sea-level rise.
- When is the best time to stargaze in San Diego?
- The darkest skies occur during new moon phases, when the moon is below the horizon at night. Coastal San Diego has moderate light pollution, so head to Torrey Pines State Reserve, Cabrillo National Monument, or Anza-Borrego Desert (1.5 hours east) for the clearest views. Winter months offer the longest dark hours and the Milky Way core is visible in summer from darker inland locations.
- Can I see the moonrise over the ocean in San Diego?
- San Diego's coast faces west, so the moon rises over inland hills and mountains to the east — not over the ocean. However, you can watch spectacular moonsets over the Pacific. The best moonset viewing spots are Sunset Cliffs, Torrey Pines, and the bluffs above Black's Beach, especially around a full moon when the setting moon aligns with first light.
- How does the moon phase affect surfing?
- Moon phase determines tide range, which affects wave shape at many San Diego breaks. During spring tides (new/full moon), the large tidal swing means reef breaks have a narrower optimal window — the tide rises and falls fast. During neap tides (quarter moons), conditions stay more consistent through the day. Experienced surfers cross-reference swell direction, period, and tide phase to pick the best session window.
- What is a supermoon?
- A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with the moon's closest approach to Earth (perigee). It appears about 14% larger and 30% brighter than a typical full moon. San Diego gets 3–4 supermoons per year. The visual difference is subtle but the tidal effect is real — supermoons produce some of the year's highest tides. Watch from Sunset Cliffs or La Jolla for the best coastal backdrop.