Sunset & Sunrise Today in Merced, California
Sunrise & Sunset Tomorrow in Merced: sunrise 5:54 AM, sunset 8:21 PM.
In Merced, California, the sun rises at 5:53 AM and sets at 8:21 PM today, Wednesday, July 15, 2026, for a total of 14h 28m of daylight. Solar noon, when the sun is highest over Merced, is at 1:07 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 1 minute shorter and 11 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 7:44 PM to 8:40 PM. The blue hour follows, roughly 8:40 PM to 8:52 PM, as twilight deepens.
Tomorrow, sunset in Merced is at 8:21 PM and sunrise at 5:54 AM — about 1m 14s less daylight than today. The table below shows how sunrise and sunset in Merced drift across the whole year.
It's summer in Merced right now, when daylight is at its most generous. 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 | 5:53 AM | 8:21 PM | 14h 28m |
| Turlock | 5:54 AM | 8:23 PM | 14h 29m |
| Modesto | 5:54 AM | 8:24 PM | 14h 29m |
| Manteca | 5:55 AM | 8:26 PM | 14h 30m |
| Clovis | 5:51 AM | 8:17 PM | 14h 25m |
Merced sun facts for 2026
- Longest day June 20 — 14h 43m of daylight
- Shortest day December 21 — 9h 35m
- Latest sunset 8:26 PM (around June 24)
- Earliest sunset 4:43 PM (around December 3)
- Earliest sunrise 5:41 AM (around June 6)
- Latest sunrise 7:25 AM (around 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed Jul 15 | 5:53 AM | 8:21 PM | 14h 28m | — |
| Thu Jul 16 | 5:54 AM | 8:21 PM | 14h 26m | −1m 14s |
| Fri Jul 17 | 5:55 AM | 8:20 PM | 14h 25m | −1m 17s |
| Sat Jul 18 | 5:55 AM | 8:20 PM | 14h 24m | −1m 19s |
| Sun Jul 19 | 5:56 AM | 8:19 PM | 14h 22m | −1m 21s |
| Mon Jul 20 | 5:57 AM | 8:18 PM | 14h 21m | −1m 23s |
| Tue Jul 21 | 5:58 AM | 8:18 PM | 14h 20m | −1m 26s |
| Wed Jul 22 | 5:58 AM | 8:17 PM | 14h 18m | −1m 28s |
| Thu Jul 23 | 5:59 AM | 8:16 PM | 14h 17m | −1m 30s |
| Fri Jul 24 | 6:00 AM | 8:16 PM | 14h 15m | −1m 32s |
| Sat Jul 25 | 6:01 AM | 8:15 PM | 14h 14m | −1m 35s |
| Sun Jul 26 | 6:02 AM | 8:14 PM | 14h 12m | −1m 36s |
| Mon Jul 27 | 6:02 AM | 8:13 PM | 14h 10m | −1m 38s |
| Tue Jul 28 | 6:03 AM | 8:12 PM | 14h 09m | −1m 40s |
Twilight times in Merced today
| Phase | Begins | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomical twilight | 4:04 AM | 10:10 PM |
| Nautical twilight | 4:45 AM | 9:29 PM |
| Civil twilight | 5:22 AM | 8:52 PM |
| Morning golden hour | 5:34 AM | 6:30 AM |
| Evening golden hour | 7:44 PM | 8:40 PM |
Civil, nautical and astronomical twilight describe how far the sun is below the horizon — useful for photographers, sailors and stargazers in Merced.
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 in Merced.
Sunset & sunrise FAQ for Merced
What time is sunset in Merced today?
Sunset in Merced, California is at 8:21 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 5:53 AM today, with 14h 28m of daylight to follow.
What time is sunrise in Merced tomorrow?
Sunrise in Merced tomorrow is at 5:54 AM, and sunset tomorrow is at 8:21 PM.
What time is sunset in Merced tomorrow?
Sunset in Merced tomorrow is at 8:21 PM.
How long is the day in Merced today?
Merced gets 14h 28m of daylight today, between sunrise at 5:53 AM and sunset at 8:21 PM.
When is golden hour in Merced?
The evening golden hour in Merced is about 7:44 PM to 8:40 PM today — the warm, soft light ideal for photos.
When is blue hour in Merced?
The evening blue hour in Merced runs from about 8:40 PM to 8:52 PM today, just after sunset.
What time does it get dark in Merced?
After sunset at 8:21 PM, full darkness (the end of twilight) arrives in Merced at around 8:52 PM today.
When is solar noon in Merced?
Solar noon — when the sun is highest in the sky over Merced — is at 1:07 PM today.
Sunset times in cities near Merced
Sunrise & sunset times in more California cities
Sunset card for Merced
Learn more about sunset, sunrise & twilight
- 🌇 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.