Point Loma · Ocean Beach · Coastal natural park
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Walk the edge of the Pacific along 68 acres of sandstone bluffs, sea arches and coves in Point Loma, and stay for one of San Diego’s best sunsets. Free to visit.
Opens the City of San Diego’s page for the park. Sunset Cliffs is a free city park.
Details checked October 2026
Type
Coastal natural park
City park, dedicated in 1983
Admission
Free
City park; no entry fee
Best time
Best at sunset
Ladera Street is the classic viewing spot
Time needed
2.5–3 hours
Tripadvisor: 150–180 minutes
Parking
Street & small lots
No RV spaces listed; bring the tow vehicle
Park size
68 acres
Linked to the 640-acre Point Loma reserve
What you’ll see
Sandstone, sea arches and the open Pacific
The park runs along the edge of Point Loma, with a narrow strip of bluffs above the water and a wilder hillside section to the south.
Photo: Roman Eugeniusz on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Start here
The bluffs at Ladera Street
The park’s 18-acre linear section runs west of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard between Adair and Ladera streets, where eroded sandstone forms arches, coves and ledges above the surf. The Ladera Street area is the classic place to watch the sun go down.
RV tip: parking is on the street or in a few small lots, so arrive well before sunset with the tow vehicle to find a spot.
More to see
- Hillside sectionThe 50-acre hillside is a designated multiple species conservation area that links to the 640-acre Point Loma Ecological Reserve.
- Whale watchingCalifornia gray whales are often seen from the cliffs during their annual migration between the Bering Sea and Baja California.
- Luscomb PointNamed for Happy Luscomb, a local surfing personality; it’s where Sunset Cliffs Boulevard ends at Hill Street.
- Osprey Street areaAnother sunset viewing spot, with a small parking lot at the site.
Why go
A free front-row seat to the Pacific
Dedicated in 1983, Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is a 68-acre city park stretching along the Pacific in Point Loma. Tripadvisor ranks it #8 of 946 things to do in San Diego.
For RVers it’s an easy evening outing, about 24 minutes from the Mission Bay RV parks in usual traffic. Parking is on the street or in small lots at the park, so bring the tow vehicle rather than the rig.
Come in winter for a bonus: California gray whales are often seen from the cliffs during their annual migration.
Photo: Roman Eugeniusz on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Why it made our list
- #8 of 946 things to do in San Diego on Tripadvisor
- Free to visit, any evening
- 68 acres of bluffs, coves and arches
- Gray whales often seen from the cliffs
- About 24 minutes from Campland on the Bay
For RVers
Visiting Sunset Cliffs with an RV
The practical stuff we wished someone had told us before we pulled in.
Bring the tow vehicle
Parking is on the street or in a few small lots at the park, and the city doesn’t list RV spaces. Leave the rig at camp and drive in with your tow vehicle or car.
Pick your access point
For Ladera Street, follow Sunset Cliffs Boulevard through Ocean Beach to the cliffs. For Luscomb Point, head to where the street ends at Hill Street. The Osprey Street area has its own small lot.
Stay back from the edge
The bluffs are natural sandstone above open surf. Keep to the paths and give the cliff edges plenty of room, especially as the light fades.
Respect the conservation area
The 50-acre hillside section is a designated multiple species conservation area. Stay on the trails there and leave plants and wildlife undisturbed.
What visitors say about Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
The visitor report card
We don’t copy other sites’ reviews, but the published scores are worth reading together. Scores checked October 24, 2026.
California gray whales often can be seen.
City of San Diego, on Sunset Cliffs · sandiego.gov
How the review sites rank it
Rankings the review sites publish
#8 of 946 in San Diego150–180 minute visit9,000+ Google reviews
Tripadvisor ranks Sunset Cliffs #8 of 946 things to do in San Diego and estimates a 150 to 180 minute visit. Google and Yelp didn’t show topic highlights for it when we checked on October 24, 2026, so we haven’t summarized review themes.
How the park breaks down
Acreage from the City of San Diego’s Sunset Cliffs Natural Park page, checked October 24, 2026.
Good to know
EntryFree city park
ParkingStreet plus a few small lots
Best timeSunset Ladera Street area
Look forSea archesGray whales in seasonSunset views
Details from the City of San Diego’s park page, checked October 24, 2026.
Know before you go
Plan your visit
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
- AddressLadera St. & Sunset Cliffs Blvd., San Diego, CA 92107
- Best timeBest at sunset
Ladera Street is the classic viewing spot - PhoneNot listed
- EntryFree; park info
- Getting thereFollow Sunset Cliffs Boulevard through Ocean Beach to the cliffs and Ladera Street. For Luscomb Point, continue to where the street ends at Hill Street.
- ParkingOn the street or in a few small lots at the park. No RV spaces are listed.
Check the day’s sunset time before you head out, and leave time to find parking near your viewing spot.
Where to stay nearby
RV parks near Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
These are the San Diego parks we’ve written up that sit closest to Sunset Cliffs. Each is about 24 to 26 minutes away in usual traffic.
Campland on the Bay
Big waterfront resort on Mission Bay with its own beach, a marina, pools and family activities.
Mission Bay RV Resort
Full-hookup resort on De Anza Cove in Mission Bay, with bayfront sites, a heated pool and lower winter rates.
Santa Fe Park RV Resort
Full-hookup park in Rose Canyon near Mission Bay with a heated pool and clubhouse, set up mostly for monthly stays.
Helpful answers
Frequently asked questions
The questions RVers ask most before pulling in.
Free city park · Best at sunset
Ready for sunset on the cliffs?
Bring the tow vehicle, park near Ladera Street, and leave time to walk the bluffs before the sun goes down.
Thank you to the people behind these photos and this video. Please support them by giving their work a look. Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Roman Eugeniusz (sea arch, coves, bluffs and sunset; CC BY-SA 3.0), Tuxyso (sunset watchers and headland; CC BY-SA 3.0) and Saltytog (rocky shoreline; CC BY 4.0); the images were resized. Video: Travel & Wonders on YouTube. Review-site logos are trademarks of their owners.
Disclaimer
RV-Roundup is an independent, community-based resource created to help RV travelers and to support and promote the places we feature. RV-Roundup is not owned by, operated by, or officially affiliated with Sunset Cliffs Natural Park unless otherwise stated.
The information on this page was prepared using the most current details available at the time of publication, including the City of San Diego’s published materials and publicly available sources. Hours, pricing, rules and other details are set by the City of San Diego and may change at any time without notice. Before you travel, please confirm all details directly with Sunset Cliffs Natural Park at sandiego.gov or Not listed. RV-Roundup is not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes made after publication.
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