Autumn Equinox 2025: SF’s First Day of Fall

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Break out the light sweaters (but maybe keep the shorts handy). Monday, September 22, 2025, marks the Autumn Equinox—the official first day of fall and the moment when day and night are nearly equal across the globe.

In San Francisco, this astronomical milestone hits at 5:20 AM PST, officially ending summer and ushering in cooler mornings, earlier sunsets, and maybe even a little pumpkin spice (if you’re into that sort of thing).

🌇 San Francisco on the First Day of Fall:

• Sunrise: 6:58 AM

• Sunset: 7:05 PM

• Total Daylight: 12 hours, 7 minutes, and 5 seconds

While the days have been slowly shrinking since June, this is the tipping point—starting now, nights officially become longer than days.

🍁 Solar Nerd Alert: The Fall Shift Begins

• Daylight Drops Fast Now
  We’re losing about 2–3 minutes of sunlight per day heading into October, so expect earlier sunsets and dimmer dinner hours.

• Still Feels Like Summer
  Thanks to San Francisco’s infamous Second Summer, September and early October are often our sunniest, warmest weeks of the year. (Karl the Fog usually takes a break!)

• Sunsets Before 7 PM Coming Soon
  The sun will dip before 7 PM starting Tuesday, September 23—and it’ll keep getting earlier from there, leading up to the 5 PM sunsets of winter.

🎃 What’s Next?

Fall in SF doesn’t mean leaf piles and crisp air just yet—but it does mean:

• Outdoor movie nights with hoodies and hot cider

• Street fairs and harvest festivals (hello, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass)

• Pumpkin patches, spooky season, and Dia de los Muertos around the corner

Whether you’re into cozy vibes or still clinging to summer, the first day of fall is a perfect excuse to take in one of the year’s most balanced sunsets—equal parts light and dark, warmth and chill.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.