Golden hour in Santa Barbara tonight
A middling sunset
Golden hour 7:12 PM–7:47 PM·sunset 7:47 PM
Begins soon
Tonight's sunset score is about 4 out of 10 (estimated).
Morning golden hour6:21 AM–6:56 AM
Why this score?
An average showing — held back by humid, hazy air. — US National Weather Service, today
The sun sets at 285° — WNW on the compass.
Where to stand
- Directions →
Butterfly Beach
A Santa Barbara cove where the coastline bends so the sun sets straight out over open water.
Make an evening of itPartner picks
⛵️Sunset cruises & tours nearbyGolden-hour departuresSee times →via Viator🍽Book a patio table for sunsetGolden-hour seatingReserve →via OpenTable📷Golden-hour photo kitCPL filter + travel tripodShop →via Amazon
Partner links may earn a commission — it never changes what we recommend or the free times above.
Go outside. The sky is doing something.
Updated Sunday, August 16, 2026