Sunrise & Sunset Times in Modesto, CA
Today's exact sunrise, sunset, and daylight hours for Modesto, California. Plus solar noon, civil twilight, and golden hour times — calculated from Modesto's coordinates (37.64° N, 121.00° W).
About sunrise and sunset in Modesto
Modesto, CA sits at 37.64° N latitude in the temperate zone. The longest day of the year here lasts about 14h 36m (around the summer solstice in June), while the shortest day shrinks to 9h 24m — a year-round swing of 5h 12m. Because Modesto 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 Modesto
Solar noon offset reflects Modesto'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 Modesto
Today's sunrise and sunset times in Modesto, CA. See exact sunrise, sunset, and daylight hours for Modesto. Updated daily.
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Sunrise and sunset FAQ for Modesto
How accurate are the Modesto sunrise and sunset times?
Times are calculated using NOAA-grade astronomical algorithms based on Modesto's exact coordinates (37.6391, -120.9969) 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 Modesto?
At Modesto's latitude of 37.64° N, the longest day stretches to about 14h 36m on the June solstice. The shortest day, on the December solstice, is around 9h 24m — a year-round swing of roughly 5h 12m.
When is golden hour in Modesto?
Golden hour in Modesto 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 Modesto sunrise times change with daylight saving time?
Yes. All times shown here use Modesto'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 Modesto?
In Modesto, 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 Modesto?
Solar noon is the moment the sun is at its highest point in the sky for the day. In Modesto, solar noon arrives roughly right at clock noon, because Modesto 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").