Where can you find the best sunsets in Los Angeles? Well, I tried to answer that question for all of my 5 years living in LA, and through my searching, I think I found some epic sunset spots to share with you. All locations listed here have an epic, unobstructed view of the sunset, making them perfect sunset spots in LA for memorable moments, pictures, or drinks with friends.
While I lived here, I made it my mission to explore this amazing city to its fullest. It’s a huge, deep, and varied city, with so much to do. But I surely climbed and each and every rolling hill surrounding the , socity that it’s possible to watch the sunset from… here are the best!
Best Sunsets in Los Angeles Over the Ocean
Here are the best places to watch the sunset in Los Angeles over the ocean (if you want city views, keep scrolling – that section is next).
These sunset spots are beaches (because pretty much every beach has an amazing sunset view in California – gotta love the West Coast) or hills overlooking the sea, too. You’re guaranteed to find peace and tranquility in these spots!
Manhattan Beach Pier
If you’re looking for a place to watch the sunset with an ocean view, look no further than the Manhattan Beach Pier. This pier offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and is a favorite spot among locals and visitors alike.
The pier is also home to restaurants and bars, so you can enjoy a drink or dinner while watching the sunset. The Manhattan Beach pier is especially beautiful at night when all of the lights are shining and reflecting off the water. It’s definitely worth a visit if you’re looking for an incredible ocean view in one of LA’s smaller and cozier neighborhoods.
Point Dume
Point Dume is a long point in Malibu where the coast changes direction around a big rocky and luscious bluff. There are plenty of walking and hiking trails here, and even beautiful yellow flowers in the springtime.
Try spending the day at Little Dume Beach, a smaller and lesser-known Malibu beach, and then walk along Big Dume Beach and over the point to watch the sunset on the bluffs or at tiny Pirate’s Cove Beach, which faces perfectly west towards the sunset.
Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier has been a traditional spot to take pictures of sunsets since it was built back in 1909. This location provides beautiful ocean views from either side of the pier – you can sit at one end or walk all the way down to watch the sunset from both sides.
You can jump on the Ferris wheel or any of the Santa Monica Pier rides for a touristy but fun sunset activity. Walk the boardwalk afterward and do some Los Angeles people watching. The surrounding area also offers many restaurants and shops within walking distance.
The Venice Canals
Okay this might not be a proper LA sunset over the ocean, but it’s a magical sunset over the most unique body of water Los Angeles can offer! I lived in LA for a few years before I realized that there were actually canals in Venice Beach, complete with boats sailing through them and with multi-million-dollar homes bordering them.
The Venice Beach canals are one of the most unique places in LA for sure, and definitely worth visiting, especially for sunset. You can see the colors of the sky reflecting on the calm water in the canals, and have a walk around the pathways too. Hopefully you can find parking! 😉
Kassi Venice Beach – Rooftop Bar in Venice (Prev High Rooftop Bar)
For a perfect LA sunset over the ocean, with a drink in hand, and over the Venice basketball and skate parks, head to Kassi Rooftop Bar in Venice Beach. It’s located on the roof of the Hotel Erwin. This spot is the most centrally located view in Venice, and will really give you that LA vibe.
The bar unsurprisingly gets more crowded at sunset, so arrive early to get the best corner tables right over the Venice beach boardwalk. They even offer blankets and heaters in the winter so you can stay to watch the crazy California sunset colors after the sun dips below the horizon.
El Matador State Beach
Looking for a quieter sunset spot? Try El Matador in Malibu—steep stairs down to the sand, dramatic cliffs and sea stacks, and a few tucked-away coves.
Aim for golden hour when the rocks glow and the sky fades from pink to deep blue. Bring a blanket and a simple picnic, and keep an eye on the tide.
Terranea Resort Palos Verdes
Terranea Resort is one of Palos Verdes’ most famous resorts, offering tons of villas, condos, golf courses, and hotel amenities right on the rocky cliffs of Palos Verdes. There are walking trails through the brush all around the resort, so you can explore whether you are staying here or not!
This area has tons of hidden coves and smaller beaches that are waiting to be discovered. You can even go kayaking or scuba diving as part of the resort’s activities.
I love Palos Verdes because it doesn’t even feel like Los Angeles at all; it feels like you’ve left the city and arrived in a hilly horse country far, far away. It’s the perfect break from the city with amazing views, a slower-paced lifestyle, and sunset views of course!
Best Sunsets in Los Angeles over the City
Here are the best places to see the sunset in LA over the city. This includes parks, hills, and even rooftop bars that will give you a sunset view behind the city of Angels.
I lived here a while ago during my college years – so I don’t have recent photos of every spot, but the views remain the same (if not better than ever)! Check out also the best hilltop viewpoints in LA for sunsets and beyond, as well as Los Angeles hidden gems!
The Getty
The Getty Museum is actually my favorite view in all of Los Angeles – I have officially decided it! The incredible architecture of this modern white stone museum is the perfect frame for an LA sunset view, or any view for that matter.
The Getty is close enough to the sea that you can see a little blue sliver of it from almost everywhere in the museum, but far enough away that you can also catch glimpses of DTLA and all the Santa Monica mountains from here, too. This is the most central sunset view, where you can see all parts of LA and amazing gardens and exhibits, too.
Griffith Observatory
The Griffith Observatory is one of the best places to watch a sunset in LA as well as one of the most instagrammable places in LA too! From this location, you can see the entire city light up as the sun goes down. There’s a planetarium which you should definitely visit before sunset, and all kinds of fascinating astronomy info.
The Observatory is open until midnight, so you can enjoy the sunset and then take in the views of LA all night long. This site is perfect for photography and is a favorite among LA locals, as well as the hiking trails in the hills around it too!
Barnsdall Park
Another great place to see the sunset over LA is Barnsdall Park just outside of DTLA. This sunset spot offers a beautiful view of Hollywood and downtown LA, as well as Griffith Park and the Dodgers Stadium in the distance.
Located in the East Hollywood Hills, Barnsdall park has a truly 180-degree panoramic view of the city, so you can catch the sunset from all angles. The park holds tons of different events throughout the year, such as yoga and concerts on Sundays, that are amazing to attend for a view and fun with friends!
The Hollywood Sign
One of the most *classic* places to watch the sunset in LA is, of course, the Hollywood Sign itself! Facing directly towards Sunset Blvd and Hollywood Blvd, the Hollywood sign is as classic LA as it gets.
You can hike up to the Hollywood sign easily, as many Angelenos do on a daily basis. You can choose to watch the sunset from a viewpoint below the sign, where the golden hour will perfectly illuminate the famous letters, or you can hike all the way up behind the sign to watch the land turn pink and orange below the larger-than-life letters below you.
Echo Park Lake
Echo Park is my favorite hidden gem in LA and a beautiful green haven in the middle of the concrete jungle. You’d hardly expect to see a grassy green park surrounding a big blue lake with fountains just outside downtown LA, but you can find that in Echo Park.
Position yourself on the east side of the lake to catch a Los Angeles sunset over the water – it might not be the ocean, but in this area, the lake works just fine. Echo Park has some of the best sunset views in LA and is the perfect spot to go on a walk or have a yummy street hot dog watching the many geese.
Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook is a great place to catch the sunset if you’re looking for something more rural and serene. Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook is a glorious park that provides stunning views over Los Angeles from the southernmost point in Culver City. I consider it one of the best hidden gems in Los Angeles!
This is one of my other favorite LA viewpoints as it seems unexpected to have a hilltop viewpoint from the south, with views from DTLA across the mountains to the ocean. If you’re looking to take your breath away then this spot will do it for sure. The unique perspective allows people taking the elevator up top to see the whole of the LA basin before it slips into night.
Korean Bell of Friendship
The Korean Bell of Friendship is one of the more unique spots to watch the sunset in LA. This location offers beautiful views of the city, as well as the good old Pacific Ocean. The bell was originally gifted from South Korea to the people of Los Angeles in 1976, and it has become a popular spot for visitors and locals alike.
The Korean Bell of Friendship is not only a symbol of peace but also an actual instrument – one that that can be heard from miles away! The massive bronze bell structure in Angel’s Gate Park sounds so beautiful when it rings, thanks to its intricate design. It makes for a great sunset spot because it’s not as crowded as some of the other locations on this list (usually)!
Perch Bar DTLA
If you want to have a drink with your Los Angeles sunset, Perch Bar is truly an epic spot. Located on a rooftop smack dab in the middle of Downtown, you can get views over the whole concrete jungle to the hills.
They have everything from signature cocktails to classic beers and wines, as well as delicious snacks to eat while the sun goes down. Make sure to bring your camera as this place is the perfect ‘classic LA’ photo spot.
Hilltop Park Signal Hill
If you find yourself in south LA and still want to race to a sunset viewpoint, check out Hilltop Park on Signal Hill. Located between the 405 and downtown Long Beach, this small park packs a lot of punch in terms of views.
You’ll have views from the huge port ships and bridges of San Pedro to the Long Beach bay, and a sunset somewhere over the hills of Palos Verdes. There are also some hiking trails around Signal Hill that give a small release from the big city on this little hill.
Elysian Park
Elysian Park is right next to the Dodgers stadium, up on the hill. This perfect LA sunset location has views not only over the stadium but over the hills to the skyline of Downtown LA.
You can take lots of walks and hikes in this deceivingly large park and see the golden haze descend over LA in the evening. Find the famous ‘secret swing’ here for one of the best photo spots in all of LA!
Let me know which of these LA sunset spots are your favorites, how your sunset was, and if I should add any more to this list! Happy sunset chasing!
See also:
- Los Angeles Quotes and Captions for Instagram and Beyond
- The best day trips within LA
- The Best Sunsets in San Francisco
- Famous Quotes and Sayings about California
- Unique Places to Stay in California
Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.