As June draws to a close, a bright full moon, known as the Strawberry Moon, will soon rise over the horizon.
Given its name, you may expect the moon to appear fruit-shaped or have a red hue, but that won’t quite be the case.
Here’s what to know about the early-summer full moon, including when Californians should look up to catch a glimpse.
When is the next Strawberry Moon?
The next Full Strawberry Moon will peak on June 29 at 4:56 p.m. PST, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
What is a strawberry moon?
June’s full moon, typically the last full moon of spring or the first of summer, is often called the “Strawberry Moon.”
“While strawberries certainly are a reddish-pink color and are roundish in shape, the origin of the name ‘Strawberry Moon’ has nothing to do with the Moon’s hue or appearance,” the Farmer’s Almanac says.
A moon can appear reddish, though, “when it’s close to the horizon because the light rays must pass through the densest layers of the atmosphere,” according to the publication.
Why is it called a full strawberry moon?
The name “Full Strawberry Moon” can be traced back to the Algonquin tribes in the northeastern United States, according to NASA.
“This full moon occurred during the month of June when strawberries were ripening and ready to be harvested,” NASA says.
The name “Strawberry Moon” was passed down through generations and continues to be used widely today.
How to see Strawberry Moon in California
As the moon’s peak is so late in the afternoon, the best time to see it will be as it rises after sunset on June 29. To catch a glimpse of the Strawberry Moon in California, you’ll want to find an unobstructed view of the eastern horizon and look upward.
Where are California dark sky communities?
To have the best chance of viewing the Strawberry Moon, find a spot free of light pollution and a view of the horizon without obstructions like trees or tall buildings.
Want to find a dark area near you to view the Strawberry Moon? DarkSky International is a U.S. nonprofit that maintains a list of designated dark sky communities worldwide, including 176 in the United States.
That includes these five locations in California:
In Central California, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are good bets for seeing celestial light shows.
Shasta, Siskiyou, and other North State counties offer excellent places to view the night sky. On the North State coast, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is also a prime night sky-watching location.
Remaining full moons of 2026
After the Strawberry Moon, there are six full moons remaining in 2026, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. Here is the full list:
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Strawberry Moon set to light up sky. When Californians should look up
Reporting by Daniella Segura, USA TODAY NETWORK / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Daniella Segura, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
