Honestly, if you're standing on the PCH or stuck in the 405 crawl, there is really only one question on your mind right now. What time is sunset in Los Angeles today? You need that magic moment. You need to know exactly when the sky turns into that weird, neon-pink-and-orange bruise that makes the traffic actually bearable for a second.
Today, Friday, January 16, 2026, the sun is scheduled to tuck behind the Pacific horizon at exactly 5:07 PM.
It feels early. It is early. We're still shaking off the winter gloom, though today’s high of 79°F feels more like a July afternoon than mid-January. If you’re planning to catch the "golden hour," you’ve basically got a very tight window. The light starts getting that honey-thick quality around 4:30 PM, so don't be late.
Why the 5:07 PM timing matters more than you think
Most people think sunset is just when the sun disappears. Sorta true, but not really. In the photography world, we talk about civil twilight. That’s the period after the sun drops but there’s still enough light to see without streetlamps. Today in LA, civil twilight ends at 5:34 PM.
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If you're at the Griffith Observatory, that extra 27 minutes is where the real show happens. You get the "belt of Venus"—that pink band on the opposite horizon. It's spectacular. But you have to be in position. Getting up to Griffith or even just finding a spot at the Santa Monica Pier takes way longer than Google Maps promises.
- Sunset: 5:07 PM
- Civil Twilight Ends: 5:34 PM
- Daylight Duration: 10 hours and 12 minutes
We are officially gaining about 72 seconds of daylight every day right now. It doesn't sound like much, but by next week, you’ll actually notice it.
What time is sunset in Los Angeles today and where should you watch it?
If you're asking about the what time is sunset in Los Angeles today, you’re probably also wondering where the best unobstructed view is. LA is a basin. If you’re in a valley, the sun "sets" behind a hill way before the official time.
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The Malibu Factor
El Matador State Beach is basically the gold standard for January. Because the sun is still sitting fairly low in the southern sky, the light hits those sea stacks and caves at an angle that’s just... chef's kiss. If you’re driving from Santa Monica, leave by 3:45 PM. Seriously. The PCH traffic is no joke, and you want to be down those steep stairs by 4:45 PM to see the pre-game colors.
The Urban Alternative
If you can’t make it to the water, head to Barnsdall Art Park in East Hollywood. It's got a 180-degree panoramic view that hits everything from the Hollywood Sign to the DTLA skyline. Plus, it’s a bit of a local secret compared to the madness of Runyon Canyon.
Misconceptions about the LA Sunset
One thing that bugs me is the "Smog Sunset" myth. People always say LA has beautiful sunsets because of the pollution. It’s a common trope. Honestly? Science says otherwise. Large pollution particles actually scatter the light too much and can wash out the colors, making the sky look a muddy grey-yellow.
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The best sunsets—the ones that look like a vaporwave album cover—actually happen when the air is clean, usually right after a rainstorm or when we have high-altitude ice crystals. Today's forecast is clear with low humidity (around 33%), which usually means a very crisp, sharp horizon line.
Technical Details You Probably Don't Need (But Are Cool)
For the nerds out there, the sun's altitude at its peak today (Solar Noon) was about 35° at 12:02 PM. We are currently 91.45 million miles away from the sun. Despite it being "winter," the Earth is actually closer to the sun right now (Perihelion was earlier this month) than it is in July. The tilt of the axis is what's keeping things chilly—or at least, as "chilly" as 79 degrees gets.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your transit: If you’re aiming for a 5:07 PM sunset, you need to be at your destination by 4:50 PM.
- Look East: Don't just stare at the sun. The "Anti-twilight" colors in the eastern sky are often more vibrant in the winter.
- Layers: It's 79° now, but the temp will drop to 54° tonight. The desert air loses heat fast once the sun dips.
Don't miss it. 5:07 PM comes fast.