'California Henge': Where to see the rare sunrise phenomenon for the first time in 2023

Camille Fine, USA TODAY
·1 min read
23

The West Coast will experience their own version of a rare and beautiful phenomenon that happens only twice a year when the sun falls perfectly between city blocks.

We're more familiar with New York City's “Manhattanhenge," but enthusiasts have the opportunity to capture another striking photo this weekend in California.

“People have heard a lot about Manhattanhenge, but the California Henge or San Francisco Henge is not that famous,” amateur photographer Pankaj Bhargava told the Los Angeles Times. “I’ve seen a gradual increase of interest.”

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The phenomenon happens in April and September in the state, according to Bhargava, who will stake out a spot to try to capture the view for his fifth year in a row.

Based on Bhargava's tracking, the sunrise will align to perfectly frame the sun over the Bay Bridge for only a few moments.

In San Francisco, the phenomenon should happen between California and Gough street beginning Saturday through Monday, just before 7 a.m. Pacific time.

Depending on weather, the sunrise is expected to perfectly align with the city’s street grid beginning Saturday morning, according to the Los Angeles Times.

When is 'Manhattanhenge' 2023?

Manhattanhenge is only visible four times a year, typically in the spring and the summer.

According to the American Museum of Natural History, the next full 'Manhattanhenge' will occur Wednesday, May 30 around 8 p.m. Eastern time.

"It’s insanely popular," Jackie Faherty, astrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History, told USA TODAY in 2020. "People plan their vacations around coming to NYC to see it."

July 11, 2022: The sun sets over Manhattan on 42nd street during "Manhattanhenge" in New York. The Manhattanhenge is an event in which the sunset or sunrise is aligned on the east-west grid of main streets in Manhattan, New York.
July 11, 2022: The sun sets over Manhattan on 42nd street during "Manhattanhenge" in New York. The Manhattanhenge is an event in which the sunset or sunrise is aligned on the east-west grid of main streets in Manhattan, New York.
People stand on an overpass over 42nd St. in Manhattan July 11, 2022 to photograph the phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge.
People stand on an overpass over 42nd St. in Manhattan July 11, 2022 to photograph the phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge.
People photograph the Manhattanhenge sunset from East 42nd Street, Monday, July 11, 2022, in New York.
People photograph the Manhattanhenge sunset from East 42nd Street, Monday, July 11, 2022, in New York.
The Manhattanhenge sunset is seen from East 42nd Street, Monday, July 11, 2022, in New York.
The Manhattanhenge sunset is seen from East 42nd Street, Monday, July 11, 2022, in New York.
People view a Manhattanhenge sunrise along 42nd street in New York's Manhattan borough on Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, as viewed from Weehawken, N.J. Manhattanhenge is when the rising sun intersects with the Manhattan street grid.
People view a Manhattanhenge sunrise along 42nd street in New York's Manhattan borough on Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, as viewed from Weehawken, N.J. Manhattanhenge is when the rising sun intersects with the Manhattan street grid.

Camille Fine is a trending visual producer on USA TODAY's NOW team. 

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to see California's Manhattanhenge 2023 in San Francisco Saturday