Golden hour in Santa Barbara tonight
A middling sunset
Golden hour 6:10 PM–6:43 PM·sunset 6:43 PM
Begins soon
Tonight's sunset score is about 5 out of 10 (estimated).
Morning golden hour6:55 AM–7:28 AM
Why this score?
An average showing — clear, unremarkable skies. — US National Weather Service, today
The sun sets at 264° — W 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 Friday, October 2, 2026