You’re likely checking your phone or glancing out a window in Santa Monica or DTLA right now, wondering exactly when the light is going to dip. It’s January 17, 2026. If you are looking for the sunset time in los angeles today, you are looking at exactly 5:09 PM.
But here’s the thing.
That single number is kinda deceptive. If you’ve spent any real time in Southern California, you know that the "official" time the sun touches the horizon isn't when the show actually starts—or ends. We have this weird geographical quirk where the Santa Monica Mountains and the Palos Verdes Peninsula mess with your line of sight. Depending on where you’re standing, your personal sunset might happen ten minutes earlier than the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says it will.
The Science Behind Today's Sunset Time in Los Angeles
We are currently deep in that post-solstice stretch where the days are finally, mercifully, getting longer. Back in late December, we were losing light before most people even finished their afternoon coffee. Now, we’re gaining about a minute of daylight every single day. It feels slow. It’s a grind. But by the time we hit the end of January, that 5:09 PM timestamp will have pushed closer to 5:25 PM.
Why does the timing feel so specific? It’s all down to the Earth’s axial tilt and our specific latitude at roughly 34 degrees North.
Astronomers at the Griffith Observatory—which is arguably the best place on the planet to actually watch this happen—point out that "sunset" is technically defined as the moment the trailing edge of the sun’s disk disappears below the horizon. However, the atmosphere acts like a lens. It actually bends the light, meaning you’re often seeing an image of the sun after it has technically already dropped below the line of the Earth. It’s a literal celestial illusion.
Civil, Nautical, and Astronomical Twilight
If you’re a photographer or just someone who likes to eat dinner outdoors without a flashlight, you care more about twilight than the actual sunset time in los angeles today.
Civil Twilight starts the moment the sun sets and lasts until it is 6 degrees below the horizon. Today, that gives you until about 5:36 PM. This is that "golden hour" or "blue hour" window where you can still see clearly enough to kick a ball around at Echo Park without needing the streetlights on.
Then you’ve got Nautical Twilight. This lasts until about 6:07 PM tonight. This is when the horizon becomes blurry and sailors historically used the stars to navigate. If you’re at the beach, this is when the ocean turns that deep, ink-bottle blue.
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Finally, Astronomical Twilight ends around 6:37 PM. After that? It’s officially night. Total darkness. The city lights of the Los Angeles Basin take over, and the natural light is gone.
Why Today’s LA Sky Might Look Pink (or Not)
You’ve seen those viral Instagram shots of a burning purple and red sky over the 405. People love to blame pollution for those colors. They say the "smog makes the sunsets better."
Honestly? That’s mostly a myth.
Large particles of pollution (like the stuff that comes out of a tailpipe) actually scatter light in a way that makes colors look dull and muddy. What you really want for a world-class sunset are aerosols. According to research from NOAA’s Earth System Research Laboratories, the most vibrant sunsets come from clean air that contains very small particles, like sea salt or volcanic ash, which scatter the shorter blue wavelengths and allow the long-wavelength reds and oranges to dominate the spectrum.
Today’s weather plays a huge role. If we have high-altitude cirrus clouds—those thin, wispy ones that look like pulled sugar—they catch the sun’s rays from below the horizon and reflect them back down. That’s how you get those "fire in the sky" moments. If it’s a perfectly clear day with zero humidity, the sunset might actually be a bit boring. Just a yellow fade into grey.
Best Places to Catch the Light Today
If you’re trying to make a plan based on the sunset time in los angeles today, you have to account for traffic. This is LA. A twenty-minute drive is actually an hour.
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- El Matador State Beach: If you want the dramatic rock arches, you need to be there by 4:30 PM. Because the cliffs are high, you’ll lose the direct sun slightly before the official 5:09 PM mark.
- Ascot Hills Park: This is the "secret" spot for Eastside residents. It gives you a straight shot of the DTLA skyline with the sun setting behind the skyscrapers. It’s breathtaking and usually less crowded than Griffith Park.
- The Getty Center: Since it’s perched on a hill above the 405, you get an unobstructed view of the Santa Monica Bay. Plus, the white travertine stone of the building catches the orange light in a way that feels very "old Hollywood."
Marine Layer Complications
We can’t talk about LA light without talking about the "marine layer." Even if the weather app says it’s a clear day, the Pacific Ocean often has other plans.
Cold ocean water meets warm air, creating a thick bank of low-level stratus clouds. If you’re in Santa Monica, today’s sunset might just be a sudden transition into a gray mist. If that happens, your best bet is to head inland or gain elevation. Often, if you drive up into the Hollywood Hills or the Santa Monica Mountains (like onto Mulholland Drive), you can actually stand above the clouds and watch the sun sink into a white fluffy sea. It’s a total vibe shift.
Actionable Tips for Sunset Seekers
If you’re planning your evening around the 5:09 PM sunset, keep these specific details in mind:
- Arrival Time: Aim to be at your viewing spot by 4:40 PM. The transition of light is most dramatic in the twenty minutes leading up to the sunset.
- Temperature Drop: The second that sun hits the horizon, the temperature in the Los Angeles basin will drop fast—often by 5 to 10 degrees within an hour. Bring a jacket if you’re at the beach.
- Camera Settings: If you’re shooting on an iPhone or Android, tap the brightest part of the sky on your screen and slide the brightness (exposure) down. It’ll make the colors pop instead of looking washed out.
- Direction: The sun is currently setting in the Southwest. Use a compass app if you’re trying to align a specific photo shot with a landmark.
The sunset time in los angeles today marks more than just the end of a Saturday; it’s a brief window where the city actually slows down. Whether you’re stuck in traffic on the 10 or sitting on a bench at Point Dume, those few minutes of 5:09 PM light are a reminder of why people deal with the rent prices here. Check the clouds about thirty minutes prior—if they’re high and thin, get your camera ready. If the marine layer is thick, head for the hills.