Spectacular Sunsets — the Best Places to Watch in San Diego

Everyone loves a good sunset! San Diego is known for its picturesque paintings in the sky each night, and the area offers a multitude of places to view these breathtaking works of art. Whether you prefer to watch from a restaurant, a lookout point, or just sitting on the beach, San Diego’s golden hour is yours to be enjoyed.

Shelter Island Marina Walkway (0.5 miles)

Grab a bench facing the water on the marina walkway outside of Humphreys Half Moon Inn and enjoy the view while the sun dips beneath the horizon. Shelter Island provides the perfect setup for sunset watching.

Sunset Cliffs (2 miles)

Located south of Ocean Beach, you will soon find out how Sunset Cliffs Boulevard got its name. Get there early to find a perfect spot. Bring a blanket or pack a picnic to fully take part in the evening sunset celebration.

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Did you know: Baseball Hall of Famer, Albert G. Spalding is responsible for the name Sunset Cliffs in San Diego when he spent $2 million to hire Japanese architects to construct bridges, trails, benches AND a stairway into the ocean. He called his estate Sunset Cliffs Park, thus lending its name to the neighborhood. Side note: Look up Albert G. Spalding and you’ll see the incredible life he lived, especially in sports ☺️. . . . . . . . . #planet_locations #sw_shooters #sandiego #outdooradventures #sunsetcliffs #bestphotographer #exploremore #earth #earthpix #earthfocus #earth_shotz #earthofficial #earthoutdoors #sunsetcliffssandiego #roadtripusa #adventureenthusiasts #theoutbound #wondermore #creativeoptic #visualambassadors #theimaged #shotzdelight #bealpha #sonyimages #milliondollarvisuals #visitcalifornia #findyourpeak #tlpicks #visualsofearth #depthsofearth @sw.shooters @outdoortones @among_the_wild @eclectic_shotz @earth_shotz

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Ocean Beach Pier (3.2 miles)

Head to the Ocean Beach Pier, located on the south end of the Ocean Beach coastline. Cast a fishing line from the end of the pier or simply sit and enjoy the bursts of color in the sky.

Sunset Point Park (4.2 miles)

With a name like “Sunset Point,” you KNOW the evenings here are stunning. Sunset Point is located in Mission Bay, adjacent to our sister hotel, The Dana. The beach here is next to a grassy park and is dotted with firepits. It’s also just down the street from Mission Beach Boardwalk.

Embarcadero (5 miles)

San Diego’s Embarcadero sits adjacent to San Diego Bay and is a popular spot for residents and visitors alike. Nearby Waterfront Park is the perfect spot for a picnic. Several fascinating maritime museums can be found here, as well as top-notch seafood restaurants. Enjoy the area as you take in the view. 

Bird Rock (8.5 miles)

The famous Bird Rock — both the neighborhood and the formation from which it takes its name — sits just south of La Jolla. It’s an offbeat area featuring cozy restaurants, eclectic shops, and absolutely breathtaking sunsets.  

Windansea Beach (10.3 miles)

A long-treasured La Jolla surfing spot for San Diego’s boarders, Windansea Beach is home to several unique rock formations, a spectacular beach, and — naturally — plenty of available vistas from which to watch the sun dip beneath the horizon. Bring a blanket and drink in the splendor. 

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Mount Soledad (12 miles)

Standing tall above La Jolla is Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial. Gaze across miles of coastline, San Diego landmarks, and the Pacific Ocean, as far as the eye can see. Don’t forget the camera! Sunsets seem to last longer up here with a panoramic view of the entire city.

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Drove to San Diego yesterday evening to scope out a spot to shoot tonight’s full moon, rising over Coronado Bridge. A blanket of fog covered most of the harbor, so I wasn’t able to nail down a location, and headed back home. It was getting close to sunset, so while in the area, I decided to take a detour to Mt Soledad in case there was anything interesting to see. Nothing, except this beautiful sunset from above the clouds! . . . . . . #mtsoledad #mountsoledad #fog #marinelayer #sdsunsetchasers #sunsetphotography #sunsetlover #sunset_pics #sunsets #skywatcher #sunset #sunset_hub #sunset_stream #sunset_madness #sunsethunter #sky_brilliance #beachlife #skyporn #skyscape #artofvisuals #visualoflife #sunsetlovers #sunset_vision #pacificbeach #oceansideca #oceansidecalifornia #sandiego #canonusa #visitsandiego #lajolla

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