There are not many coastal views in San Diego that can compete with this one. The view alone lands this spot in our top five places to watch the sunset in town. Youʼre atop some of the highest accessible cliffs in San Diego, where the sweeping views north and south add to the grandeur of your perspective of the deep blue Pacific.
Together you’ll see hang gliders and paragliders taking off from the Torrey Pines glider port, where the strong updrafts just off the cliffs offer the perfect conditions for flying through the air with the greatest of ease.
Watch our very own Mark Halvorson’s one-minute movie of a glider taking off for extra inspiration!
FREE
Parking is free in the glider port’s large parking lot. We wouldn’t recommend staying here for hours after dark as the police sometimes show up to kick you out…right back to high school, we know.
Sunrise to sunset. Depending on wind conditions, gliders usually fly between the hours of 9am – 5:30pm. If seeing gliders is a top priority for you, please give the Glider Port a call to see if the conditions allow for flights at (858) 452-9858.
Make sure you arrive a minimum of 30 minutes before sunset.
Sunset Times
Cliffhanger Café: Open from 11am – 4pm.
If you’d rather not pack a picnic but are able to visit between the hours of 11am and 4pm, youʼre able to order from the extensive sandwich menu at the Cliff Hanger Cafe, which has surprisingly tasty food for a great price. While weʼve heard the dumpling soup is solid, we know from experience that the Tuscany and the turkey club sandwiches are on POINT!
There are a couple of pics in the picture gallery below.
Take some hand sanitizer or wipes. Despite the caféʼs attempts to build one, there is no actual bathroom here due to city regulations, but there are porta potties available for use.
There is an $8 minimum for credit cards. Cliff Hanger Café does not have a license to serve alcohol.
- Large blanket or sheet
- Hiking shoes if planning to hike down to the beach
- Cooler and snack foods, or however much your picnic inspiration leads you to pack
- Water, shoes with good grips, and optional pack with snacks if you plan to hike to the beach
- Camping/beach chairs (optional)
Regents Pizza
Draft Republic
Salk Institute for Biological Studies (self-guided tour)
