Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Rating
Price
Free
Duration
1-2 hours
Best Ages
Best for all ages
About
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is a 68-acre stretch of dramatic coastal bluffs in Point Loma that offers what many locals consider the single best sunset viewing in the city. Sandstone cliffs rise 50-90 feet above the crashing Pacific surf, creating a raw, beautiful coastline that feels wild despite being minutes from residential neighborhoods.
The cliffs face due west with nothing but open ocean to the horizon. On clear evenings, the sun drops directly into the Pacific, painting the sky in gradients of gold, orange, pink, and purple. The silhouettes of surfers, the crash of waves, and the wheeling pelicans add layers to the experience.
During low tides, rocky shelves at the cliff base reveal tide pools that are less visited and better preserved than the more famous La Jolla pools. Access requires descending informal trails at specific points.
The nearby Ocean Beach neighborhood adds to the appeal. OB retains a funky, independent, surfer-town character. Newport Avenue has vintage shops, surf shops, and restaurants including Hodad's (one of the most famous burger joints in California).
Safety note: the sandstone cliffs are eroded and can be unstable. There are no guardrails. Keep children well back from edges.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
Limited
Nursing / Changing
Not Available
Kid Meals
Not Available
Setting
Outdoor
Rainy Day
Not ideal
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Arrive 45-60 minutes before sunset for the best experience. The cliffs face due west, making this the single best sunset location in San Diego. Low tide exposes tide pools in the rocky shelves below.
Wait Times
None. Street parking can be competitive near sunset.
Nearby Food
Ocean Beach, a 5-10 minute walk north, has Hodad's (legendary burgers, $10-14), OB Noodle House (Thai/Asian, $12-16), Lighthouse Ice Cream ($4-6), and Pizza Port ($12-16). OB has a distinctly local, surfer-town vibe.
Why Kids Love It
Sunset Cliffs is raw, dramatic coastline where waves crash against sandstone cliffs and the sunset paints the sky in colors that make kids stop talking and just stare. The cliffs rise 50-90 feet above the ocean, and from viewpoints along the boulevard, families can watch surfers below, pelicans diving, and occasional dolphins surfacing. In winter, gray whales migrate past visible from the cliff tops.
During low tide, adventurous families can carefully descend to rocky tide pool areas at the base of certain cliff sections. The tide pools here are less visited than La Jolla's, which means more intact organisms.
The sunset itself is the main event. Because the cliffs face due west with nothing but open Pacific Ocean to the horizon, sunsets are unobstructed and spectacular. Families sit on the cliff edges (with caution), spread blankets on the grass strips, or simply stand and watch. It is free, beautiful, and the kind of memory that defines a vacation.
Pro Tips from Parents
- Arrive 45-60 minutes before sunset and park along Sunset Cliffs Blvd
- The best viewpoint is near the intersection of Sunset Cliffs Blvd and Ladera St
- Keep kids well back from cliff edges -- the sandstone is eroded and unstable, with no guardrails
- After sunset, walk 10 minutes north to Ocean Beach pier for dinner -- OB has a charming, funky beach town vibe
- Low-tide visits reveal tide pools at the cliff base -- use extreme caution on the descent
What to Bring
- Camera
- Light jacket (evening sea breeze)
- Water bottle
- Blanket for sitting on the grass
- Flashlight for walking back after dark
Cost Info
Free Admission
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
$0 (completely free; add $20-40 for dinner at nearby Ocean Beach restaurants)
Tips to Save
- Completely free -- no admission, no parking meters along Sunset Cliffs Blvd.
- Combine with dinner in Ocean Beach for one of the most affordable and memorable evenings in San Diego.
Hours & Contact
Hours
- Friday
- Open 24 hours
- Monday
- Open 24 hours
- Sunday
- Open 24 hours
- Tuesday
- Open 24 hours
- Saturday
- Open 24 hours
- Thursday
- Open 24 hours
- Wednesday
- Open 24 hours
