The atmosphere’s transition from day to night is undeniably amazing. The way the sun reflects off the clouds, sky, and ocean is truly mesmerizing. On those clear nights when the horizon is about to put on a show, it’s essential to know where to go in Los Angeles to catch the stunning display.
But where are all the best places in L.A. to catch these glorious sunsets?
We’re here to tell you.
- How can I watch the sunset in Hollywood?
- Where can I watch the sunset in downtown L.A.?
- The best places to watch the sunset in Los Angeles
- Where can I watch the sunset in Southern California?
- Pants and Shorts for any L.A. sunset
How can I watch the sunset in Hollywood?
Where can I watch the sunset in downtown L.A.?
The nice thing about L.A. is that it’s quite hilly, so it’s possible to catch the sunset even if you’re downtown and far from the ocean. You can watch the sunset in downtown L.A. at a variety of locations including the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Vista Hermosa Natural Park, Perch, Broken Shaker, 71Above, and the Ace Hotel rooftop lounge.
The Walt Disney Concert Hall offers a unique experience where you can enjoy the sunset through L.A.’s towers and architecture. To find a good lookout, take the stairs to the outdoor terrace that faces west and enjoy!
If you venture to the hidden gem that is Vista Hermosa Natural Park, you’ll find amazing views in a well-maintained green space with plenty of lookouts to overlook the city and the sunset in Los Angeles.
The best places to watch the sunset in Los Angeles
- Griffith Observatory
- Santa Monica Pier
- Manhattan Beach Pier
- Terranea Bluff Top Park
- El Matador State Beach
- Venice Beach
- The Getty Center
- Burbank Peak Trail
- Hilltop Park
- Korean Bell of Friendship
- Pan Pacific Park
1. Griffith Observatory
Address: 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, United States
The Griffith Observatory is one of the best vantage points to watch the sunset in LA. Located at the top of Griffith Park, the Griffith Observatory provides unobstructed views of Downtown L.A., the Pacific Ocean, and the Hollywood Sign.
2. Santa Monica Pier
Address: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States
The Santa Monica Pier is a double-jointed pier located at the edge of Colorado Avenue. The beach pier is 1,600 feet long and offers a front-row seat to those dreamy California sunsets with unobstructed ocean views. Access to the pier is free, but you may want to opt for a sunset on the Ferris wheel, which is also a fun option.
3. Manhattan Beach Pier
Address: 2 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, United States
Another pier to catch a beautiful sunset is the Manhattan Beach Pier. This beach pier is 928 feet long and has an aquarium in an octagonal building at the end. You can walk around this building to the very end and catch an unobstructed view of the pacific ocean and the sunset.
4. Terranea Bluff Top Park
Address: Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, United States
The Terranea Bluff Top Park offers scenic views for taking in an L.A. sunset. It’s located near Long Beach next to the Terranea Resort. It connects to the Terranea Discovery Trail which is a heavily-trafficked, easy trail that runs along the pacific ocean. This dog-friendly, stroller-friendly, and wheelchair-friendly path is lined with lookout points, picnic tables, coin-operated binoculars, and a historic lighthouse.
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5. El Matador State Beach
Address: 32350 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265, United States
El Matador State Beach is one of three cliff-foot beaches in Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach located along the Pacific Coast Highway. The gorgeous landscape of rocks, cliffs, and water compliments the sunset well. Bring a towel and watch the sunset from the beach or catch it from the blufftops.
6. Venice Beach
Address: 1600 Harbor Dr. S, Venice, FL 34285, United States
Venice Beach is another great location for sunset watching in Los Angeles, there are so many options for enjoying the sunset: you can go for a walk along the beach and watch from the water, go for a jog on the walking trail, join in with a drum circle, watch from the Venice Fishing Pier, or from a nearby rooftop bar like the High Rooftop Lounge at Hotel Erwin.
7. The Getty Center
Address: 1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049, United States
The Getty Center is an art museum in Brentwood known for its architecture, gardens, and views of Los Angeles. You can catch the sunset from the various paths, walkways, terraces, and outlooks on The Getty Center property. This place has a unique and artsy feel so it’s very different from catching the sunset at a beach, pier, or rooftop lounge.
8. Burbank Peak Trail
Address: Tree of Life Trail, Los Angeles, CA 90068, United States
This moderately difficult out and back trail starts at the end of Wonder View Drive in Hollywood. Burbank Peak Trail leads you to the Wisdom Tree lookout where you can enjoy panoramic views of LA, Hollywood, and the San Fernando Valley. One way, the trail is under a mile so it should only take about 20 minutes to hike up to the viewpoint. It’s a steep but short climb, and dogs are allowed to join if kept on a leash.
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9. Hilltop Park
Address: 2351 Dawson Ave, Signal Hill, CA 90755, United States
Hilltop Park is a well-maintained green space located in Signal Hill near Long Beach. It offers many lookouts, benches, picnic tables, and binocular stands for viewing the sunset. Hilltop Park isn’t usually crowded and offers views of Long Beach Harbor, the Santa Monica Mountains, Catalina Island, and downtown Los Angeles.
10. Korean Bell of Friendship
Address: 3601 S Gaffey St, San Pedro, CA 90731, United States
The Korean Bell of Friendship is a massive bronze bell in Angel's Gate Park. This San Pedro neighborhood park is a historical landmark on top of a hill that overlooks the ocean—making it a fantastic location for watching the sunset in Los Angeles while enjoying some gorgeous historical architecture.
11. Pan Pacific Park
Address: 7600 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036, United States
Pan Pacific Park is a public green space in the heart of L.A. It offers a ton of recreational space for sports like soccer, baseball, basketball, and even spike ball. There are walking and running paths with picnic tables and benches lining the park, and the open green spaces offer a decent place to watch the sky light up during an L.A. sunset. On your way there, stop by DUER’s La Brea location (170 S La Brea Ave) to check out our multi-functional Adventure Pant—perfect for everyday adventures.
Where can I watch the sunset in Southern California?
From beaches and canyons to bluffs and mountains, Southern California offers an abundance of landscapes and locations to watch the sunset, even if you don’t live in the L.A. area. Some of the best vantage points include El Matador Beach in Malibu, Little Corona del Mar Beach at Newport, the Sunset Cliffs Natural Park in San Diego, Newport Beach Pier in Orange County, and 1000 Steps Beach in Laguna.
Pants and Shorts for any L.A. Sunset
Whether you’re hiking a trail, biking to the beach, or heading to your favorite rooftop patio to enjoy the sunset, DUER’s pants and jeans are perfect for every sunset outing. Our performance apparel keeps up with you throughout your day and allows you to look good in any setting.
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