Sunset Cliffs Coastal Trail (Linear Park)

amazing spot for a beautiful walk. although the name implies you should probably try to catch the sunset there, it’s beautiful during the daylight as well! not too busy either which makes it special.

Great place to take a morning walk or catch the sunset. The trail is a mix of dirt and some parts where you need to walk on the road do to the proximity to the cliffs. There's also several small parking lots along the path.

Beautiful park to see the sunset or walk/ run. The views are spectacular. Be mindful parking is limited so get there early if going for the sunset.

it's such a sweet place. I went here to hang with Jesus and felt so much peace.

Very beautiful coastal cliffs! We parked closer to the Sunset Cliffs Staircase and walked up and down to coast about 1.5 miles each way. Very scenic walk with views of the cliffs, ocean, flowers and beautiful coastal homes. Highly recommend. Not really a trail or hike, there is a sidewalk on the other side of the road so anyone can enjoy this. Definitely worth spending a couple hours here for some good free fun while in the area.

I highly recommend visiting this spot for an unforgettable experience. Watching the sunset there was truly magnificent, offering a breathtaking view that captivates the senses. The serene ambiance and the stunning display of colors in the sky create a perfect setting for a memorable evening. It's an ideal place for those who appreciate nature's beauty and seek a peaceful retreat to unwind and enjoy the moment.

One of the most beautiful places in San Diego CA. I grew up here and always visit the cliffs, I have to go ever once in a while just to see the beautiful view of the ocean 🌊 went to take pics of our fur babies, Hannah, Ava & Lulu...., very blustery during the winter time so bring a good jacket💯👍😁 there's a cave below the 4th parking lot, rumored to be a cave to offload alcohol during prohibition times, it's called smugglers cave, and a stair case all the way at the south end to get down to the beach, but, don't get trapped when the tide comes up!!!😁

one of the most beautiful stretches of land in the United States. Not such an enjoyable walk from my hotel on Point Loma as its very much uphill, but felt worth it once I got there and its a nice walk back. I do recommend driving for anyone reading this. Drive out there and then walk along the trail or the road.

We drove to three different lookout spots in Sunset Cliffs. Luckily, there were parking spaces available. However, be prepared to parallel park if needed. The views were still cloudy, but I still got some nice photos. The sun started peeking out of the clouds only a little bit later in the afternoon. There are stairs where Sunset Cliffs Blvd. turns into Ladera St. to take photos with more great backgrounds. I recommend bringing shoes appropriate for the sandy and rocky terrain.

Walking on the path with my wife is a wonderful way to see the ocean, get some exercise, and feel disconnected. The spots where the path is dull are great. Unfortunately the cliffs are always eroding, so the walking path takes you into the shoulder of the road at a couple spots. Another fun memory from this park though was taking family photos last Christmas. In the morning parking isn't a challenge, and having the Pacific Ocean as a background is amazing

What's up: Sunset Cliffs was one of the places that constantly showed up on our search results of things to do in the San Diego area. Since we were looking for things to do after breakfast, we decided to add this place to walk off the yummy food we just ate. Parking: Since the cliffs are long, there are multiple parking lots to choose from. Most of the ones that we went to were full but we managed to find a lot that had open spots. There's also street parking. Environment: It was a slightly cloudy day with a bit of wind. But the view was nice. Just seeing the cliffs being struck by the waves was pretty cool. And you'll see plenty of birds flying by and sea creatures if you dare to venture closer to the waters. Just be careful because there is nothing stopping you if you do get too close to the edge. Yay/Nay/Meh: Yay. If you haven't been by, it's worth a visit. Compared to other cliffs that I've visited, this one was decent and pleasant to visit. I didn't see any restrooms so, that's one downside. But other than that, it's easy to get to and free to visit!

Sunset Cliffs reminds me a lot of our Laguna Beach back home, and their Lajolla Coves Beach. It's the cliffs that give me the ideas of those beaches. But this cliffs here are more thrilling and revealing. We had fun walking on them and sitting on them. Me being a little afraid of heights, lol. It's awesome.

Well first the parking can be a little tricky but it does fill up fast and we got here around 7:00pm and the sunset was going down but we still got some good views and pictures . Well as you look down the cliff you can see the waves crashing against the rocks and the cliffs . It's an amazing view and it's a nice walk around as you can enjoy the sunset here . There are a couple of benches for you to sit also . But just don't get to close to the edge of cliffs because it can be unstable sometimes and it is a nice place to for family and friends to hangout and enjoy the relaxing views here . Overall a great place to visit and I suggest you check it out . I always enjoy coming here !! I shall return and enjoy more !!!

Exhilarating!! Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is the stretch of cliffs located north of Point Loma and south of Ocean Beach. Depending on the time you visit, parking may be a challenge. This area gets lots of visitors/tourists and that may lessen your enjoyment. Usually very early in the morning, with hardly anyone around, I practice yoga here and so I frequent this area and find it exhilarating to all my senses. The fresh ocean breezes, without any obstructions, blowing at you directly, so breathe in hold and relax...it's calming and zen. My furbaby would sit and observe me and later imitated and she does an upward dog yoga pose...lol You can make your visit tranquil or active. You sit/stand/pause and just look and see and appreciate the ocean, flora and fauna. There are hike trails to take you down to the water, the terrain is always evolving in firmness and can be hazardous so be careful!! Have traveled globally and have experience sights similar but probably at a grander scale: Cliffs of Moher in Ireland is magnificent. However, if you can't make out to Ireland, the sunset cliffs and all it has to offer is not to be missed, in fact a must visit while you're in San Diego. Breathe in Zen!! Namaste. Recommend

Came here but the parking lotwas full as this was Labor day weekend. It was crowded here along the Sunset beaches. We ended parking on the street and neighborhood. We had to check out the sunset and seemed everyone was doing the same. Was intrigued how this would look. I guess the thing to do here while in SD. Beautiful homes that had perfect views of the ocean, people watching and sunset. Would love to live in one of those homes or rent it. Lots of spots to check out the caves, water surfers, play in the sand and make it a day of fun. Unfortunately, we didn't get to check out the caves even though it was a warm day, there was an overcast so we didn't get to see the sunset fully. We saw a small portion like reddish color of the sun but not picture worthy as it went away fast. We saw rays of sun trying to creep through and that was beautiful. Well worth it to check this place out. [56R,2024]

If you want to see the best sunset in San Diego, Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is a great location. The panoramic views of the cliffs and ocean are breathtaking. Sunsets are always great with no obstructed views. The sunsets are always beautiful and dramatic. Great spot for couples & family photos. Lots of street parking, you might have to walk a bit but you will find something. Just be respectful of the neighborhood and neighbors, people live here. This is a great place for walking along the coastline as well. Bring a blanket or chair and have a picnic while you watch the sunset, it really is a beautiful location, so stay and enjoy it.

Beautiful scenery, beach, and layered rock. You can take a stroll and enjoy the breeze. You can also walk down the stairs to go where the water and rock layers are. You can see pelicans flying.

My girl and I came to visit the Sunset Cliffs on a Wednesday, around 4 PM in October. It was great weather, being overcast and slightly cool and windy. Unfortunately, it was not the very lowest tide, and we could not get access to the cave itself. In my videos, I explain the route to take in order to get to the caves. There is a shortcut down the Rocky cliffs that the surfers used to get to the water, but I'm not sure what that looks like during low tide. I was told that we could park on the road and walk the coastal line around the shore and it would lead to the sunset cliff cave. Overall, this was a great experience, even though we could not get to the cave. But I am glad that we were able to find easy parking and go exploring. I'm pretty sure that this place is jampacked during Taurus season and when it's sunny out.

There's gorgeous views here year-round, rain or shine. Gloomy clouds and the pitter patter of raindrops give off an ominous comfort. Warm sunsets feel romantic and exciting. No matter the weather, the backdrop of the coastline always makes a spectacular photo-op! Sunset Cliffs stretches down the coastline for 1.7 miles, meaning there's plenty of space for a leisurely stroll, exploring tidepools during low tide, having a picnic, or unwinding with or without a crowd. Highly recommend visiting at sunset for a magical experience.  Your next best memory is waiting for you here :)

This park stretches at least a mile long. You could walk to the cliffs staircase but it would take a while. The walkway along the cliffs some times stop requiring you to walk on the street or in a parking lot. Nonetheless, the walk is pleasant with stunning views. It was foggy today when we came but didn't dampen our visit.

I love coming here. I made it a point to come here every day either in the morning or at sunset during my Memorial Day getaway. It's so pretty, peaceful, you can do some serious thinking, enjoy the beautiful scenery and get in a good workout. I was last here three years ago - I couldn't help but to reflect on how much I've grown and the changes in my life (for the better) - I'm incredibly lucky and grateful. I left here feeling peace and accepting things I can't change and vowed to move forward in my life as gracefully as I can. I would recommend this place to everyone. It's a great way to either start or end the day.

The only thing that would make Sunset Cliffs better is more designated parking, but there was plenty of parking on the residential streets just a block or two away. The views are absolutely stunning and it lives up to its name. It was a great place to watch surfers, but beware some of the surfaces are very uneven. I couldn't believe the number of people showing up in heels!

Love planning weddings here ! I'm a wedding planner and sunset cliffs has three locations to choose from - all have a beautiful backdrop of the Pacific Ocean.

While this spot was accessed easily via bike and car during my recent stay I wasn't blown away. There weren't many folks here either time I dropped by which made for a relaxing time listening and watching the sunset and water. The area atop the cliffs was exciting tho not very safe for those in my group with limited mobility. Would suggest folks looking for a scenic, safe, and fun cliff side stroll or visit head up to La Jolla.

Very Peaceful nice place to watch the sunset or just chill anytime of the day really. Got a little busy around 6 pm

My second time visiting here. Beautiful place to watch the sunset. I came here around 430pm to watch the sunset. The pictures don't do it justice. Parking is a hassle. It's not very much but sometimes there is street parking near. There are some benches you can sit on as well and an emergency phone near by. You can make this place as an end of date idea or a day date, some ppl brought blankets and sat down to watch the sunset. You can also hike, walk run around the area. It was not to crowed today. I came to just breathe and take in the beauty all around. Definitely come visit if you're in Cali.

Popular and beautiful spot to watch the sunset. Bring a picnic blanket and snacks (great date spot!) Stand on the cliffs to take it in, or take the semi steep stairs at the south end to sea level. Also popular surfing spot, saw maybe a dozen plus surfers battling the waves. Mostly neighborhood parallel street parking and parking lot toward the south end.

Spectacular sunsets!!! Parking can be tough...especially as your approach sunset time. The limited lots fill up quickly but there is a decent amount of street parking along Sunset Cliffs Blvd. and nearby side streets. We arrived to the area about 30 minutes before sunset and although the lots were full, we got parking on Sunset Cliffs Blvd. I would expect it may be a little tougher on the weekends or during peak vacation times. Be sure to give yourself some time to walk along Sunset Cliffs Blvd. as there are multiple cliffs and coves offering a variety of views throughout sunset. As expected...once th sun has set...traffic to leave the area is a bit rough.

Heard about Sunset Cliffs multiple times through Instagram, friend recs, or "places to visit in SD." Came here to watch the sunset and just as the name suggests, it is DEFINITELY worth to come watch sunsets here. The view is spectacular and easily one of my favorite places when I was in SD. Some people climbed the rocks to get closer to the ocean (even though it's not recommended) but you can get really beautiful sunset pictures here with friends and family. Highly recommend coming here - so worth your time and really feels like you've transported to a different place with how this place is structured due to the cliffs/waves.

Gorgeous views! Wish I had ventured down into the tidepool. The walk around the park is beautiful.

Sunset cliffs is so beautiful! I decided to go on a walk at the cliffs and the January weather did not disappoint. There are little parking lots along the cliffs to park in, but also plenty of street parking. You can see so many surfers in the water and people out walking their dogs. It's a great spot for a walk along the cliffs or the beach!

This is a beautiful shoreline to watch the sun set! You can hike down to the sand but it is steep and rugged. Close to OB proper for a drink or a full meal. Many delicious ethnic choices for meals and all are beach casual and moderately priced!

SUNSET CLIFFS IS SO PRETTY! My friend recommended this place because he surfs here and told me there are really beautiful tidal pools here. I have never been to the tidal pools, so I just thought I would check it out :) I saw so many crabs and Sea anemones! It was a little slippery because of the green moss, so if you are ever there, be careful not to step on the green moss. I actually ended up tripping and falling on my butt. Overall, the experience was really fun and magical!! I would go again :)

#1 favorite spot in SD! It's so relaxing to come here and catch the sunset. We bring wine and snacks and set up a little picnic. Parking is never an issue during the week (though weekends can get a little crazy). A great spot to bring guests visiting from out of town. The view is truly spectacular, and it feels amazing to be outside in nature! Some people throw small group events here, which seem cute. Just be mindful of others who are there to relax and clean up after yourself. The only downside is there are no restrooms.

Was in town to see my girl after arriving back from a 6 month deployment with the navy. We actually showed up here 5 times over the week to watch sunsets and just take in our surroundings. If your in the area this is well worth taking the time and hanging out

Gorgeous views! Lots of people, but not too crowded. Plenty of room to sit and watch the sunset.

I came for the view/sunset. I have never heard of this place. It was a great stop for a view. We found parking. Parking can be hard to find. There is a staircase that takes you down near caves. It's a nice view. Would definitely come again.

Amazing views... Yoga everywhere. Perfect spot for zen and prayers. Parking is tough, get there early.

This is the beautiful place to hang out with families and friends. It is breathtaking and recommended. Bring your water shoes in case you want to walk on the rocks and can be slippery. Be careful out there.

Great place for checking out the sights and sounds of the pacific ocean. Had this place bookmarked for a while. Finally made it here and it didn't disappoint. Great to hang out and take in the Pacific Ocean. Have a picnic or just exploring the cliffs. Just be careful. Or have a dance party like I witnessed when I visited. Came here to walk off lunch with the family. Lol. Would be great to be here during sunset. Wasn't in the cards this time. Whatever time you visit is sure to be great.

This nature park is pretty long and runs all the way down Sunset Cliff Boulevard. It dates back to 1983 and spans 68 acres, split between an 18 acre linear section and a 50 acre Hillside section (spans about 3 miles). The entire park is 300 feet above sea level. Fun fact: the drive into the park along Sunset Cliffs Boulevard has been officially designated as a scenic drive. The Hillside section also serves as a designated multiple species conservation area. Weddings, under 50 people are allowed on certain sections of the Linear area, with a permit. There is not much here except for Mother Nature and all her glory. No playground equipment, no picnic shelters, no water...., but I still really like it. There is tons of free parking available here between the street and the 4 or so designated lots. The biggest. parking lot by far is located at the end, the Hillside area, and has the most parking available and there are a few port-a-potties over there. As you would expect by the name, the park is very popular for sunset watching. So, an hour before sunset, parking becomes tight, no matter the day of the week. Also, traffic gets thick just after sunset, as everyone is trying to get out of there. The park is home to a thing known as Bird Sh$% Rock. It is a huge rock that a bunch of birds hang out and and is stained white by their excrement. The park has benches along the route and a few are near the water. However, most people prefer to sit along the edge to watch the sunset. The park is pretty popular with surfers and there is a huge metal staircase at the end of the park that people can take to get down to the beach. Their are also some non conventional ways that I saw people using to get down there, but I would not recommend using them. The park is home to 3 small beaches: Garbage Beach, AB Reef Beach, and No Surf Beach. They each have man-made paths that you can take to get down to them. The park offers some awesome panoramic views of the sunset, be sure you know the sunset time before you go. There are limited restrooms available, so I recommend taking care of that before you get there as well. I spent a couple of days here for sunsets. It is a nice relaxing spot to hear waves crashing as the sun in setting. It is not only popular for sunset watchers, but dog walkers, joggers/walkers, surfers and bird watchers. I really enjoyed my time here and being able to step away from the city for a bit, to just relax and unwind. I highly recommend checking this spot out while in San Diego.

Good scenery and small trail to walk around, but for some reason a lot more dog droppings then the other trails I've been to around the San Diego region

Beautiful views but no restrooms in sight.. I do love that most people are respectful and actually throw their garbage in the cans. Parking is limited but worth waiting for.

A beautiful, natural way to see California coastline. Amazing wave action against the rocks. Wish the tide had been low enough to explore the caves. A peaceful place to reflect.

This place is beautiful. It is a bit remote and can be confusing to find. We actually tried to come here the first time we visited San Diego and only had access to public transportation and couldn't find it. We had better luck this time but still was a bit confusing. The first address it took us to took us onto a college campus and still far from the cliffs. We found another location to put into our gps and took us down the cliffs and parking lot. The view here is amazing. Definitely worth visiting.

After dining at Ocean Beach, we were already driving to get out of the Ocean Beach area, but our Dog Bambam kept on whining and looking out of the window, which means that he needed to do either a #1, #2, or both ;) We immediately parked next to this Big parking space facing an Ocean and it looked like a big Cliff. While walking our dog, we were getting closer to the edge, we didn't expect that there would be people down on the cliff, it's beautiful down there. We don't know how the People got there, even though there is a sign that says "No public access" ;) We stayed a bit watching what people were doing while enjoying the View and the Breeze. When we were finally driving to go home, we noticed that we were on a long path of the road facing the Ocean. We saw that in some part people are allowed to Swim, some are really nice for Bike Tracks, and we even saw someone getting married by the Beach. We are always visiting Ocean Beach 'coz I like their Food. Plus you can enter most of the restaurants here with just Shorts, shirts, and flip-flops :) So every time we dine in at Ocean Beach, we will be passing by again to this area to see this View of the Ocean.

Small but gorgeous. There are awesome tide pools at the cliffs where you can see some cool little marine life. There's also a little "secret" beach that's a bit challenging to get to but totally worth it if you can make the climb down.People do jump off of the cliffs even though technically it is not allowed.

Seriously such a beautiful place! We came during the morning and to watch the sunset. I got a nice workout in and ran the trail along the coast. If I lived here I would be running that trail day and night! It was clean and the views were amazing. The here is benches along the way to sit and enjoy the view and flat spots as well to bring your own chairs and watch the sunset. Definitely a spot to visit!

Gorgeous sunset! A must go if you like to soak in the wound of the waves and magical colors in the sky

Views everywhere! So glad we came for sunset even though it was pretty crowded. Neighborhood parking I found to be easy and would definitely come back when visiting this beautiful neighborhood FYI cliffs don't have rails or anything so be careful with kids and pets

Beautiful view! We checked the sunset time and got there about an hour earlier. Parking was packed and so we kept driving along the coast till we can see some empty parking spots. It got windy and a little chilly for early August, but it was a cooled down week, low 70's. This is a must see!

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park was one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. Mainly because I have never visited a beach with huge rock cliffs. We found a secluded spot, laid down our towels on the rock and breathed in the fresh beautiful Pacific coastline. We found a rock that we could actually lean back on like we were in the chair lol. There were surfers (I think were a little crazy to get in the Pacific Ocean, but who am I to judge) and a few large boats in the water. Cali is much different than Florida, as I typically never go to the beach in Jacksonville wearing pants, but I did on the West Coast. San Diego Springs are a little chillier than ours. But it was still a beautiful sun filled day! There were several small parking lots along the coast for easy beach access. Plus a little street parking. I noticed some folks in the parking lot sitting in their car taking in the beautiful view. While others, like us, found a rock to hang out on. It was amazing watching the waves crash against the rocks. One time in particular I think the waves must have merged together at the right time at a point on one of the cliffs and we actually got sprayed a little bit. If you are in the San Diego area I absolutely recommend checking out Sunset Cliffs Natural Park!

This is one of my favorite places in San Diego. Thank goodness we still have beautiful coastal lines like this, with free public access. Because there is not much more that can be said given the expansive number of detailed reviews, I will present my review as a love letter. When I visit Sunset Cliffs, I love it when I see: Whole families walking with their wee ones, who seem as enthralled by the views as the rest of us. Young and old lovers alike. People who come in pairs with a blanket, or a towel or foldable chairs and sit close to one another enjoying their 1:1 time and the views. Pups either walking, jogging or lazily resting in the sun, whether young puppies or old seniors. They seem to love this place as much as their human compansions. People backed in with the hatch open, enjoying their lunch while they watch and listen to the waves. Car after parked car of people with their windows down, chatting and laughing. Fish folk silently throwing their lines and going with the flow of the waves. When the flowers began to rerun early in the year with their bold yellow, orange and purple. The birds gliding overhead. You're lucky if you get to see a crew of 20 or more. The yoga classes, dozens strong, taking up space and enjoying the big energy of this place.

Magical sunsets!!! The people have spoken; this is THE spot to come to for an epic sunset in San Diego. And with the beautiful coastline as your backdrop, you'll be sure to capture some of the most gorgeous sunset views! You have to be sure to time it right. You should definitely try to get here well before sunset since you might spend a lot of time finding parking. Since there's no dedicated parking lot, you'll pretty much much be stuck with street parking. I just parked a couple blocks down in the residential neighborhood and walked. I feel like doing this will save you the headache of driving around on the main road. It's a tourist attraction, so naturally, it will be crowded with tons of folks. The nice thing is that because there are so many cliffs, it's easy to spread out and find a nice comfortable space. Some people were going all out and using one of those picnic setup companies to provide a fancy little picnic space. Others just stood or sat on the edge of the cliffs. You can actually walk down to the tide pool area, but watch your step as it's easy to slip on those jagged rocks. I walked down toward the tide pool area and it was so beautiful to see. The pretty waves crashing against the rocks with the setting sun as the backdrop. It was truly gorgeous. Also, I know it's San Diego and all, but you might wanna bring a light jacket if you get cold easily. It gets super windy at night over here, especially if you're close to the cliffs or tide pools. But damn, it's so worth the stop! The colors in the sky were so amazing. I'm lightweight addicted to sunsets, so I got my total, utter, and complete LIFE here as I basked in this little glory. When visiting San Diego, I would definitely add Sunset Cliffs to your list of visits if you haven't already experienced a sunset here. It's gorgeous!

Watching the sunset here is stunning. I wish I had gotten here earlier in the day to hang out by the beach, but it was kind of chilly, so probably not the best idea unless it's summer. Next time I'm in San Diego, I'm spending more time in the area. There isn't much else to say that other people haven't said. I can't speak to the parking situation here, since we took an Uber and got dropped off. Come by and take in the views! You won't regret it!

I love Sunset Cliffs! It is a couple miles from my home, and, therefore, one of my regular spots to run to. Unless you are right in the middle of tourist season or right at sunset, there is plenty of parking if you come by car. This makes for an easy spot to meet friends, and stroll around with morning coffee. First, the views are spectacular, no matter what time. There are places where you can walk out on the rocks and there are benches and boulders to sit on. Pleaople often like to walk down to the beach or dive off cliffs, but, to me, those areas look a bit treacherous and dangerous. I prefer to stay up high and only climb out to the larger rock areas. Of course, this is a stunning spot to watch the sunset. If you are parking, I highly recommend arriving early, as it gets pretty packed, and then it gets difficult to park. There are so many great viewpoints for the sunset... I have taken so many pictures there. Once, we did a sunset walk with my French-speaking group and it was a great place for our group of about 12. We were able to take a lot of sunset group photos and also stroll along without losing people from our group along the way. All in all, this is a beautiful spot that is located not far from the centers of Ocean Beach and Point Loma. It's a great spot for a run, morning coffee, or a beautiful sunset view.

Cool spot to catch a sunset or take a slow walk. Not much grass here and you'll bump into weddings, outdoor group activities and randos. The view is niiiiiice, quiet late at night and no one is around.