Fiery sunsets are one of the few perks of our days getting darker earlier.

The big picture: There's some science behind San Diego's winter sunset season. The sun's angle is lower during this time of year, so there's more time for the light to cut across the sky through the clouds. 

• The sweet spot is December and January, but not if there's wet weather because the type of cloud matters.

Between the lines: San Diego's location in the subtropics makes the difference here because there is a lot of moisture in the air, typically in the form of high, cirrus clouds.

• Sunlight bends and refracts through the thin ice crystals suspended tens of thousands of feet in the sky, bringing out the vibrant pinks and oranges. 
• The key is being on the edge of the storms hundreds of miles away in the Pacific Ocean that push those clouds our way. 

What they're saying: "When we have these drier winters then we don't end up getting the thicker rain clouds that ruin it all," National Weather Service meteorologist Alex Tardy told Axios.

• Santa Ana winds also clear out the marine layer and make visibility crisper.

What we're watching: This winter is expected to be warmer and drier than average, which will make for more ideal viewing conditions. 

• The sun sets around 4:45pm most days this month.
• With a thick layer of cirrus clouds, the best time to see the cotton candy and fiery colors collide is for about 20 minutes after the sun sinks below the horizon. 

💭 Kate's thought bubble: Take this as your permission slip to leave work early and catch golden hour from one of these signature sunset spots.

• I'm planning to pick up a hefty burrito from Oscar's Mexican seafood and post up at Calumet Park tonight.

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Californians collectively owe more than $148 billion in student loan debt.

Why it matters: President-elect Trump could put an end to his predecessor's years-long efforts to erase that financial burden.

The big picture: Trump has repeatedly bashed the Biden administration's student loan forgiveness plans but has not said how he would handle the mounting debt in another White House term.

• The president-elect has also vowed to dismantle the Department of Education, which is the loan holder for most federal student loans.

By the numbers: Nearly 3.9 million Californians have student loans — about 10% of the state's population.

• Borrowers owe about $38,000 on average, which is higher than the national average of $36,207, federal data shows.
• One-third of California borrowers have $10,000 or less outstanding. The majority have $20,000 or less in student debt.

The intrigue: While California's college tuition costs are slightly lower than the national average, UCSD and SDSU have been raising tuition each year.

Catch up quick: After the conservative-majority Supreme Court blocked Biden's signature student loan forgiveness plan last year, his administration still found ways to deliver relief to some borrowers by circumventing the need for Congressional or court approval.

• Biden used the Department of Education's existing authority to provide more than $168 billion in relief to more than 4.7 million borrowers since 2021.

What to watch: The next Trump administration could roll back the efforts through similar regulatory changes.

Go deeper

⚾ 🏗️ The Padres are renovating Petco Park's Western Metal Supply Co. Building with an expanded team store and an improved Budweiser Loft with staircase to a remodeled rooftop area. (NBC 7)

🐶😹 The San Diego County Fair announced its theme for the 2025 season: Summer Pet-Tacular. It will run from June 11 through July 6.

• Pets won't be allowed for general admission, but there will be some pet-friendly activities and adoption events with the San Diego Humane Society.

💀🐟 Another one of those nightmarish "doomsday fish" washed ashore in San Diego County, this time in Encinitas. (Fox 5)

🎸 Pinback at The Sound

Catch San Diego indie rock royalty as they celebrate the 20th anniversary of their Summer in Abaddon album in Del Mar.

🦐 King Tide beach walks with Surfrider

Check out what the future has in store for our coastline during this weekend's king tides — don't miss the tidepools during the afternoon's extreme low tides!

🎻San Diego Symphony: A New World Odyssey

Hear Elena Schwarz lead the symphony in works from John Adams, Thomas Edés and Dvořák.

🎄 Carlsbad holiday market 

Shop at local vendors selling handmade gifts, home decorations and food.

🚲🍺 Bikes and beers

Take a GPS-guided tour of San Diego with routes of 15-, 30-, or 45-miles, with refreshment stops along the way and ending with a craft beer festival, hosted by AleSmith Brewing.

Details

Congratulations to Emil F. for correctly identifying this out-of-the-way spot at Presidio Park!

• Pick up the trail just south of the Junípero Serra Museum and follow along the ridge until you come upon this humble sitting area overlooking the canyon below.

Zoom in: The museum was built in 1928 and marks the site of the first European settlement in what we now call California.

You probably knew that much, but given how many incorrect guesses we got this week, maybe you've never explored the Presidio Park Loop, a family-friendly 2-mile hiking trail through the area.