Best San Diego Sunset Views
Watching the sunset in San Diego during the summer is a popular activity amongst locals and visitors that are in the city, and the fastest way to plan an activity to hang out with friends, plan a quick date, grab a lunch, dinner or some snacks and head over to watch the sunset in the afternoon. Specially now that sunsets are around 8PM- 8:15PM, but perhaps you’ve seen your friends post about enjoying the sunset, but you don’t know where to go, or don’t want to drive a lot, or get stuck in the tourist areas. Today in this blog I’ll share with you the most popular locations, locations you can go to that aren’t that busy or popular, they range anything from a 15min drive to 20-30min drive depending on how adventurous you’re feeling.
La Jolla Cove / Ellen Brown Park - Yes I know this a popular location + in the summer its busy and packed, but its beautiful place, and nearby you can find yourself many restaurants within walking distance to get food and come down and enjoy it in the park with a view.
Gliding Port- Torrey Pines- usually not as busy as other locations even during the summer, its a beautiful view overlooking La Jolla and Blacks beach, and there is little trails you can around too, and in the Gliding Port there is a restaurant as well, and if you want to get really adventurous try gliding above the cliffs.
Torrey Pines State Beach / trail- on the other side you can head to the beach and watch the sunset, or do hiking trail up on the cliffs, its such a beautiful scenery and nice work out!
Sunset Bench Seat- Opposite side of the Torrey Pines State beach ( up the hill ) you can find little benches and take some pictures, watch the train go by and enjoy a nice dinner.
Palisades Park in Pacific Beach - moving a little more closer to San Diego, this a nice beach and there is also a grass area where you can picnic and over look the surfers, the pier near by, and watch the sunset, there is also tons of food close by you can walk to and get!
North Harbor Island Park- Overlooking Downtown San Diego, nice bay area, pretty quiet, not as busy as other locations listed so far here, there is also lots of small parks around these area you can set up a picnic and enjoy the afternoon away from larger crowds, or beach goers.
Coronado Beach - the dunes next to the Hotel Del Coronado offer the perfect spot to sit and watch the beach goers, and have a nice picnic from the local restaurants in the small downtown area. This little beach is beautiful and one of my favorites to visit and photograph often, we can’t officially host picnics there, but if you do it yourself with a blanket and some beach chairs you can still enjoy the views and the beach.
Kate Sessions Park- locals favorite to hang out and has some nice views of San Diego, the bay and off into the distance the beach, and sometimes you can even see the Sea world fireworks!
Presidio Park- my favorite park I think, its pretty small and tiny but has some nice hills overlooking San Diego, and you can view the sunset there in some areas.
Windansea Beach, La Jolla - small tiny but beautiful beach in La Jolla, lots of locals go there mostly to have a nice beach day, but at the sunset the views are amazing, and lots of people gather around to view it there, and you’ll see many arrive about an hour before or 30min!
Sunset cliffs- the most popular location and well known for the stunning the sunsets, I mean you can never go wrong here ! It is busy at sunset, and specially in the summer, I recommend to arrive at least an 1 hour before to find parking and find a great spot, please note no bathrooms here, but stunning views always.
Tips on how to prepare :
take a blanket or something to sit on, or some beach chairs/ camping chairs
light sweater- sometimes it does get chilly specially in the beach areas
some good food to snack on and some drinks ! - Note all locations do not allow glass, or alcohol
some battery operated candles or a flashlight if you are staying past sunset
favorite card game to pass the time
bring an activity ! I’ve seen people do legos, painting activity, or my favorite a book
if you bring your dog please make sure its friendly and you have a leash!
always cleanup after yourself and do not leave trash in the area you where in, and watch out for seagulls to not take away wrappers or food, do not leave your food unattended. Leave no marks that a human was there please !
arrive early to find parking and find a spot before the sunset, at least one hour before, don’t get there 10min before sunset or 15 min before, you won’t find parking and by the time you do and try to sit down it’ll be dark!
