Sunset & Sunrise Today in Merced, California
Sunrise & Sunset Tomorrow in Merced: sunrise 6:31 AM, sunset 7:33 PM.
In Merced, California, the sun rises at 6:30 AM and sets at 7:34 PM today, Saturday, August 29, 2026, for a total of 13h 04m of daylight. Solar noon, when the sun is highest over Merced, is at 1:03 PM.
Merced lies at latitude 37.30°, in the mid-latitudes, where daylight swings noticeably between the long days of summer and the short days of winter. Each day is currently getting about 2 minutes shorter and 16 seconds. As summer progresses, sunrise and sunset in Merced move a little each day rather than staying fixed.
If you're shooting at sunset, aim for Merced's golden hour, about 7:00 PM to 7:51 PM. The blue hour follows, roughly 7:51 PM to 8:01 PM, as twilight deepens.
Tomorrow, sunset in Merced is at 7:33 PM and sunrise at 6:31 AM — about 2m 16s less daylight than today. The table below shows how sunrise and sunset in Merced drift across the whole year.
This is high summer in Merced, the season of long evenings. Over the course of the year, sunset in Merced ranges from as early as 4:43 PM (around December 3) to as late as 8:26 PM (around June 24). Its longest day lands on June 20 with 14h 43m of daylight, and its shortest on December 21 with just 9h 35m.
Moon in Merced today
Sunset today: Merced vs nearby cities
| City | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merced | 6:30 AM | 7:34 PM | 13h 04m |
| Turlock | 6:31 AM | 7:36 PM | 13h 04m |
| Ceres | 6:31 AM | 7:36 PM | 13h 04m |
| Madera | 6:29 AM | 7:32 PM | 13h 03m |
| Modesto | 6:32 AM | 7:36 PM | 13h 04m |
Merced sun facts for 2026
- Longest day June 20 — 14h 43m of daylight
- Shortest day December 21 — 9h 35m
- Latest sunset 8:26 PM (June 24)
- Earliest sunset 4:43 PM (December 3)
- Earliest sunrise 5:41 AM (June 6)
- Latest sunrise 7:25 AM (October 31)
Solstices & equinoxes in Merced (2026)
| Event | Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Mar 20, 2026 | 7:05 AM | 7:13 PM | 12h 08m |
| June solstice (longest day) | Jun 21, 2026 | 5:42 AM | 8:25 PM | 14h 43m |
| September equinox | Sep 22, 2026 | 6:50 AM | 6:58 PM | 12h 08m |
| December solstice (shortest day) | Dec 21, 2026 | 7:12 AM | 4:47 PM | 9h 35m |
Merced sunrise & sunset — next 14 days
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat Aug 29 | 6:30 AM | 7:34 PM | 13h 04m | — |
| Sun Aug 30 | 6:31 AM | 7:33 PM | 13h 01m | −2m 16s |
| Mon Aug 31 | 6:32 AM | 7:31 PM | 12h 59m | −2m 17s |
| Tue Sep 1 | 6:32 AM | 7:30 PM | 12h 57m | −2m 17s |
| Wed Sep 2 | 6:33 AM | 7:28 PM | 12h 55m | −2m 17s |
| Thu Sep 3 | 6:34 AM | 7:27 PM | 12h 52m | −2m 18s |
| Fri Sep 4 | 6:35 AM | 7:25 PM | 12h 50m | −2m 19s |
| Sat Sep 5 | 6:36 AM | 7:24 PM | 12h 48m | −2m 18s |
| Sun Sep 6 | 6:36 AM | 7:22 PM | 12h 45m | −2m 19s |
| Mon Sep 7 | 6:37 AM | 7:21 PM | 12h 43m | −2m 20s |
| Tue Sep 8 | 6:38 AM | 7:19 PM | 12h 41m | −2m 20s |
| Wed Sep 9 | 6:39 AM | 7:18 PM | 12h 38m | −2m 20s |
| Thu Sep 10 | 6:40 AM | 7:16 PM | 12h 36m | −2m 20s |
| Fri Sep 11 | 6:41 AM | 7:15 PM | 12h 34m | −2m 21s |
Twilight times in Merced today
| Phase | Begins | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomical twilight | 4:58 AM | 9:06 PM |
| Nautical twilight | 5:31 AM | 8:33 PM |
| Civil twilight | 6:03 AM | 8:01 PM |
| Morning golden hour | 6:13 AM | 7:04 AM |
| Evening golden hour | 7:00 PM | 7:51 PM |
Civil, nautical and astronomical twilight describe how far the sun is below the horizon.
Sunrise & sunset in Merced by month
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:16 AM | 4:55 PM | 9h 38m |
| February | 7:05 AM | 5:26 PM | 10h 21m |
| March | 6:33 AM | 5:55 PM | 11h 22m |
| April | 6:47 AM | 7:24 PM | 12h 37m |
| May | 6:07 AM | 7:51 PM | 13h 44m |
| June | 5:43 AM | 8:16 PM | 14h 33m |
| July | 5:45 AM | 8:26 PM | 14h 40m |
| August | 6:06 AM | 8:09 PM | 14h 02m |
| September | 6:32 AM | 7:30 PM | 12h 57m |
| October | 6:57 AM | 6:44 PM | 11h 46m |
| November | 6:26 AM | 5:03 PM | 10h 36m |
| December | 6:57 AM | 4:44 PM | 9h 46m |
Times shown for the 1st of each month, local time.
Sunset & sunrise FAQ for Merced
What time is sunset in Merced today?
Sunset in Merced, California is at 7:34 PM today. It shifts by a minute or two each day as the seasons change.
What time is sunrise in Merced today?
Sunrise in Merced is at 6:30 AM today, with 13h 04m of daylight to follow.
What time is sunrise in Merced tomorrow?
Sunrise in Merced tomorrow is at 6:31 AM, and sunset tomorrow is at 7:33 PM.
What time is sunset in Merced tomorrow?
Sunset in Merced tomorrow is at 7:33 PM.
How long is the day in Merced today?
Merced gets 13h 04m of daylight today, between sunrise at 6:30 AM and sunset at 7:34 PM.
When is golden hour in Merced?
The evening golden hour in Merced is about 7:00 PM to 7:51 PM today — the warm, soft light ideal for photos.
When is blue hour in Merced?
The evening blue hour in Merced runs from about 7:51 PM to 8:01 PM today, just after sunset.
What time does it get dark in Merced?
After sunset at 7:34 PM, full darkness (the end of twilight) arrives in Merced at around 8:01 PM today.
When is solar noon in Merced?
Solar noon — when the sun is highest in the sky over Merced — is at 1:03 PM today.
Nearest cities to Merced
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Learn more about the sunset
- 🌇 What is golden hour?Golden hour is the warm, soft light just after sunrise and before sunset. Learn what it is, when it happens, how long it lasts, and how to use it.
- 🌆 What is blue hour?Discover what blue hour is, when it happens, how it differs from golden hour, and expert tips for photographing the soft blue twilight. Check exact blue.
- 🌌 Twilight explained: civil, nautical & astronomicalLearn the three phases of twilight—civil, nautical, astronomical—and what they mean for photographers, stargazers, and sunset lovers.
- 🌅 Why are sunsets red and orange?Discover the science behind red and orange sunsets, from Rayleigh scattering to air quality. Learn when and where to see the most vivid colors.
- 📸 The best time to photograph a sunsetDiscover the best time to photograph a sunset, from golden hour to blue hour. Learn exact timing, camera settings, and composition tips for stunning shots.
- ☀️ What is solar noon?Solar noon is when the sun reaches its highest point. Learn why it rarely matches 12:00 PM and how to find your exact solar noon.
- 📈 Why days get longer and shorter through the yearEarth's axial tilt drives seasonal day-length changes. Learn how solstices, equinoxes, and latitude affect daylight where you live.
- 🌞 The summer solstice explainedWhat causes the summer solstice, when it happens, and how it affects sunset times. Discover the science and beauty of the year's longest day.