Sunrise & Sunset Times in Irvine, CA
Today's exact sunrise, sunset, and daylight hours for Irvine, California. Plus solar noon, civil twilight, and golden hour times — calculated from Irvine's coordinates (33.68° N, 117.83° W).
About sunrise and sunset in Irvine
Irvine, CA sits at 33.68° N latitude in the subtropical zone. The longest day of the year here lasts about 14h 12m (around the summer solstice in June), while the shortest day shrinks to 9h 48m — a year-round swing of 4h 30m. Because Irvine is in the central part of the Los Angeles time zone, solar noon arrives roughly 9 minutes before clock noon.
Subtropical — distinct but mild seasonal swing. 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 33 minutes around the equinoxes — a noticeable extended dawn and dusk window.
Quick facts for Irvine
Solar noon offset reflects Irvine'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 Irvine
Today's sunrise and sunset times in Irvine, CA. See exact sunrise, sunset, and daylight hours for Irvine. Updated daily.
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Sunrise and sunset FAQ for Irvine
How accurate are the Irvine sunrise and sunset times?
Times are calculated using NOAA-grade astronomical algorithms based on Irvine's exact coordinates (33.6846, -117.8265) 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 Irvine?
At Irvine's latitude of 33.68° N, the longest day stretches to about 14h 12m on the June solstice. The shortest day, on the December solstice, is around 9h 48m — a year-round swing of roughly 4h 30m.
When is golden hour in Irvine?
Golden hour in Irvine 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 Irvine sunrise times change with daylight saving time?
Yes. All times shown here use Irvine'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 Irvine?
In Irvine, 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 Irvine?
Solar noon is the moment the sun is at its highest point in the sky for the day. In Irvine, solar noon arrives roughly 9 minutes before clock noon, because Irvine 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").