Best place to watch sun set on Pacific Ocean?

[WizardOfRadical]

Los Angeles.

[TheCityTheBridge]

The Pacific Coast is pretty stunning all over, particularly at sunset when conditions are right. I would suggest:

Baker Beach (San Francisco)
Battery Spencer (just across the Golden Gate Bridge)
The Point Reyes Lighthouse
Pt. Lobos State Park (south of Monterey)
Bixby Bridge (northern Big Sur)

[HockeyMac18]

Originally Posted by WizardOfRadical

Los Angeles.

Nice sunsets (the pollution is helpful here), but the topography immediately along the coast around most of LA is somewhat boring. Northern CA's coastal topography near SF is more interesting to me than areas right near LA (although, LA does have some really nice/scenic spots).

[HockeyMac18]

Originally Posted by itinérant

These are all great suggestions. I am going to save this thread because you have given me a lot of ideas for future excursions.

The weather was perfect in SF on Thur. and Fri: clear blue skies and total sunshine.

On Thur., because I was busy doing other stuff earlier, I watched the sun set at the Mariana. Maybe not spectacular views for the Bay Area, but still better than anything we have in Ohio (where I'm from originally). On Fri., I went to Sutro Baths and even climbed onto the large rock that's on the beach. Most breathtaking views I've ever seen.

On Sat., after hiking the Dipsea trail (which is amazing), I drove down the 1. Pretty disappointed at first because it wasn't hugging the ocean. However, I found several scenic overlooks between Carmel-By-the-Sea and Big Sur. Again, the views were incredible.

I had to turn around at Big Sur. On the way back, I stopped at Garrapatta beach and climbed the cliffs and took in the stunning views. Then, I got in my car and recorded the sunset while listening to old Michael Jackson songs. What a dream come true.

The weather was amazing in Marin County. The same as SF (but about five degrees hotter). The weather was also perfect along the coast. Clear blue skies and total sunshine, though cooler than Marin County and even SF excepting the beaches.

I also stopped in Palo Alto for a couple of hours before working my way over to the 1. It was a surprisingly hot 93/94 degrees there.

Thanks again for the great tips. Definitely going to be spending some more time on the coast.

I'm glad you had a great trip. You had some incredible weather (it's not always that nice for that many days straight here).

I'm also originally from Ohio, and it is quite nice out here comparatively. My family from Ohio had just been in town while you were here, too - kind of funny how that works out.

[ccm123]

In the East Bay, I like Berkeley Pier and the west facing hills at Ohlone College (Fremont) overlooking San Francisco Bay. Beautiful sunsets.