Sunset Cliffs Natural Park Coastal Walk

The Sunset Cliffs Natural Park Coastal Walk follows a clifftop path above the Pacific Ocean in the Point Loma area of San Diego, California. The walk begins at the Ladera St trailhead off Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107. Parking is free on the streets along Sunset Cliffs Blvd, though spaces fill quickly around sunset, especially on clear evenings and weekends. There is no entry fee or permit, and the park is managed by the City of San Diego, whose park and recreation department posts closures and safety notices.

The route is about 2 miles (3.2 km) round trip along the bluff and is rated easy. The elevation is mostly flat, though optional stairways and informal paths lead down toward the shore, and these are steep and can be hazardous. The main surface is packed dirt and sandstone, uneven in places and without shade, so the walk is exposed to sun, wind and sea spray on rough days. Closed-toe shoes with good grip are advisable.

The main attraction is the sandstone coastline, with layered cliffs, sea caves and arches that have been carved by waves, and surf breaks below that draw surfers throughout the year. Sunset is the best-known time to visit, when the sky turns orange and pink over the ocean, and winter sunsets are often the most dramatic. Dolphins and, in the winter months, migrating whales can sometimes be seen offshore.

The cliffs are unstable, and collapses have occurred, so edge closures are posted and visitors should stay on marked paths and keep well back from the edge. Climbing down the cliffs or entering sea caves is dangerous and, in many areas, prohibited. Because the path is open and fairly straight, visitors can turn around at any point, and many walk only as far as they like before returning. There are no huts, shelters or reliable water sources along the walk, so visitors should bring water and layers, since temperatures drop quickly after sunset.