Discover
Quiet places to watch the light change.
- Twin Peaks
922-foot dual summits at the geographic center of SF; completely unobstructed 360-degree panorama: eastern views across Market St to Bay Bridge (sunrise) and western horizon over Pacific Ocean (sunset). Epic city summit, brisk gusting winds, swirling Karl the Fog, and sweeping views of the entire Bay Area.
- Marin Headlands
400-foot clifftop historic gun battery positioned directly north of the Golden Gate Bridge facing southeast toward San Francisco and the sunrise. World-class architectural drama, echoing foghorns, crisp Pacific air, and radiant sunrise glowing behind the Golden Gate towers.
- Runyon Canyon
Runyon Canyon is a city hiking park with views over Los Angeles from its trails. Views and walking distance depend on the route.
- Belvedere Castle
Belvedere Castle overlooks Turtle Pond and the surrounding Central Park landscape. Its terraces are a daytime viewpoint; after they close, only exterior park paths can be used for sunset viewing.
- Cadillac Mountain
Cadillac Mountain offers views of Acadia and the Atlantic from its summit. It is among the first US places to see sunrise during parts of the year, not every day.
- Dead Horse Point
Dead Horse Point State Park overlooks a bend in the Colorado River, roughly 2,000 feet below the point. Canyon walls catch morning and evening light.
- Haleakalā Summit
Haleakalā summit offers high-altitude views across the volcanic landscape; cloud cover and visibility vary. Sunrise visits require advance planning.
- Maroon Bells
Maroon Lake frames the Maroon Bells, two peaks above 14,000 feet. Reflections depend on wind and weather.
- Rialto Beach
Rialto Beach has a pebble shoreline, driftwood and ocean views in Olympic National Park. Conditions change with tides and surf.
- Oak Street Beach
Oak Street Beach faces Lake Michigan beside Chicago’s lakefront skyline. Sunrise views depend on the weather and season.
- Big Badlands Overlook
The eastern panorama includes first light on Badlands pinnacles and a view toward the rising sun.
- Door Trail Viewpoint
East-facing openings in the Badlands Wall catch sunrise; the marked trail has uneven terrain.
- Pinnacles Overlook
Westward canyon light and distant formations make this a Badlands sunset overlook.
- Panorama Point
A broad view of the eastern Badlands catches sunrise and the first light across the formations.
- Bryce Sunrise Point
The amphitheater hoodoos take on morning light from this rim overlook; the name does not promise an unobstructed solar disk.
- Bryce Sunset Point
Late light colors the Bryce Amphitheater hoodoos; the western skyline is not necessarily clear of terrain.
- Mather Point
A South Rim promontory with broad canyon views, recommended by NPS for the morning light.
- Hopi Point
Hopi Point projects into the canyon with westward views; NPS calls it a popular sunset location.