Sunrise & Sunset Times in Elk Grove, CA
Today's exact sunrise, sunset, and daylight hours for Elk Grove, California. Plus solar noon, civil twilight, and golden hour times — calculated from Elk Grove's coordinates (38.41° N, 121.37° W).
About sunrise and sunset in Elk Grove
Elk Grove, CA sits at 38.41° N latitude in the temperate zone. The longest day of the year here lasts about 14h 42m (around the summer solstice in June), while the shortest day shrinks to 9h 18m — a year-round swing of 5h 24m. Because Elk Grove is in the central part of the Los Angeles time zone, solar noon falls close to clock noon.
Mid-latitude temperate — pronounced summer/winter day-length difference. The sun rises roughly east, swinging northeast in summer and southeast in winter, and sets roughly west, swinging northwest in summer and southwest in winter. Civil twilight (the period when the sun is between 0° and 6° below the horizon) lasts approximately 34 minutes around the equinoxes — a noticeable extended dawn and dusk window.
Quick facts for Elk Grove
Solar noon offset reflects Elk Grove's position in its time zone — the further from the time zone's standard meridian, the further the actual midday drifts from 12:00 on the clock.
Sunrise & Sunset in Elk Grove
Today's sunrise and sunset times in Elk Grove, CA. See exact sunrise, sunset, and daylight hours for Elk Grove. Updated daily.
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Sunrise and sunset FAQ for Elk Grove
How accurate are the Elk Grove sunrise and sunset times?
Times are calculated using NOAA-grade astronomical algorithms based on Elk Grove's exact coordinates (38.4088, -121.3716) and time zone (America/Los_Angeles). Accuracy is typically within 1 minute. Local horizon obstructions (mountains, tall buildings) can shift the visible sunrise/sunset by a few minutes compared to the calculated value.
How long is the longest day of the year in Elk Grove?
At Elk Grove's latitude of 38.41° N, the longest day stretches to about 14h 42m on the June solstice. The shortest day, on the December solstice, is around 9h 18m — a year-round swing of roughly 5h 24m.
When is golden hour in Elk Grove?
Golden hour in Elk Grove occurs in the ~60-minute window after sunrise and before sunset, when the sun is low (typically below 6° elevation) and light is softer and warmer. Photographers favour this window for portraits and landscapes. The exact start/end depends on the season — golden hour is shorter near the equinoxes and longer in winter when the sun travels at a shallower angle.
Do Elk Grove sunrise times change with daylight saving time?
Yes. All times shown here use Elk Grove's local clock, which switches between standard time and daylight saving time on the dates set by US federal law (second Sunday in March, first Sunday in November). The actual position of the sun does not change — only the clock face does. See our Daylight Saving Time guide for the next change date.
In which direction does the sun rise and set in Elk Grove?
In Elk Grove, the sun rises in the east, swinging northeast in summer and southeast in winter, and sets in the west, swinging northwest in summer and southwest in winter. On the equinoxes (around 20 March and 22 September), the sun rises due east and sets due west. Between those dates, the sunrise/sunset points shift along the horizon as Earth's axial tilt changes the sun's declination.
What is solar noon, and when does it happen in Elk Grove?
Solar noon is the moment the sun is at its highest point in the sky for the day. In Elk Grove, solar noon arrives roughly right at clock noon, because Elk Grove sits in the central partof its time zone. The exact offset shifts a few minutes through the year due to Earth's elliptical orbit (the "equation of time").