Summary
Southern California promises almost year-round fun in the sun, and with that vitamin D-filled vow comes the added bonus of an almost nightly solar-powered light show. Get to one of these 10 Los Angeles spots as the sun dips low to catch all the golden hour glory.
Pacific Park
Address: 380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA
Phone: +1 310-260-8744
Sunsets can be fun for the whole family when you watch them from the Santa Monica Pier’s amusement park. While the horizon changes colors from just about everywhere on the dock, the best view is from 130 feet above it atop the Pacific Wheel, the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel. Once the sky is dark, riders enjoy a second light show when over 174,000 energy-efficient LEDs illuminate and dance on the ocean’s surface below.
Griffith Observatory
Address: 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
Phone: +1 213-473-0800
Cap off a visit to one of Los Angeles’ most iconic attractions and filming locations by watching the sunset from its mountaintop perch in Griffith Park. With the city below and scenic views at your back, this spot is great for escaping the hustle and bustle and enjoying a budget-friendly date idea. Access to the observatory and its telescopes is free, and complimentary Wi-Fi allows visitors to share photos in real time.
Malibu Beach Inn
Address: 22878 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265-5041, USA
Phone: +1 800-462-5428
Located on a strip of sand known as Billionaire’s Beach, this chic oceanside boutique offers multiple options for sunset viewing. Guests who prefer privacy can secure a room with a balcony that typically has full ocean views. Alternatively, there are chaises at sea level or a spot on Carbon Beach Club’s terrace for a sunset accompanied by a chocolate caramel tart.
Spire 73
Address: 900 Wilshire Blvd fl 73, Los Angeles, CA 90017, USA
Phone: +1 213-688-7777
Like Michelle Obama, when it goes low, we go high…to the tallest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere. Spire 73 takes its name from its floor in the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown. Arrive early to secure a window seat, though nothing beats a bench by a fire pit on a crisp night. Pro tip: LA sunsets are often more brilliant when skies are cleared by rain and wind.
Dockweiler State Beach
Address: 12000 Vista Del Mar, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293-8518, USA
Phone: +1 424-526-7777
Since 2014, sunset lovers have another reason to enjoy this picturesque 288-acre stretch of Playa del Rey coastline. A 70-foot wooden boat has become a canvas for graffiti artists, adding an urban touch to your sunset photos. Additionally, there are fire rings, picnic facilities, a long biking/jogging path, volleyball nets, jetties for fishing, and opportunities for bird-watching of the federally protected western snowy plover to fill your time before the sun sets.
The Getty Center
Address: 1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049, USA
Phone: +1 310-440-7300
Enjoy fine art, stunning 360-degree views, and spectacular sunsets while exploring this renowned free museum located on a peak in the Santa Monica Mountains. If poor weather forces you indoors, the upper levels of the North, South, East, and West Pavilions feature galleries with glass walls that showcase the sunset from indoors. Additionally, the Roman gardens at the Getty Villa in Malibu offer beautiful sunset views as well.
Terranea Resort
Address: 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, USA
Phone: +1 310-494-7891
The sunset-viewing possibilities are nearly endless at this luxurious Mediterranean-inspired resort on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Enjoy the vibrant pink, yellow, and orange hues while relaxing in one of four pools (including an adults-only bluff-top plunge overlooking Catalina), exercising at the gym, golfing on the nine-hole course, or listening to live music on Nelson’s patio.
The Rooftop by JG
Address: 9850 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, USA
Phone: +1 310-860-6798
Whether you’re seeing stars or enjoying the night sky, star sightings are common at this upscale eatery featuring a menu curated by top chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten on top of the 12-story Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills. Relax on plush emerald cushions while the sun descends behind Century City’s skyscrapers, creating a stunning backdrop for your meal.
Castaway
Address: 1250 E Harvard Rd, Burbank, CA 91501, USA
Phone: +1 818-848-6691
Nestled in the hills above Burbank with sweeping views of the San Fernando Valley and downtown LA, this historic eatery underwent a $10 million renovation, featuring an intimate Green Room bar and mid-century modern design. The dining deck is the ideal spot for twilight, but the multi-level layout means every table offers a great view of the sunset.
OUE Skyspace LA
Address: 633 W 5th St #840, Los Angeles, CA 90071, USA
Previously known as the US Bank Tower and famous for being featured in “Independence Day,” this high-rise in downtown LA debuted several public amenities in 2016. Notable features include a bar offering locally brewed beer, California’s tallest open-air observation deck, and an exciting Skyslide. For the brave, take a ride down the 45-foot all-glass slide attached to the side of the building nearly 1,000 feet up after the sun dips below the horizon.
