Quick Reference: Sunset in the LBC
- Long Beach offers stunning sunset spots like Hilltop Park and Bluff Park, perfect for golden hour views.
- Visitors can enjoy cocktails with a view at Halo Rooftop Bar or Sky Room for a special occasion.
- Local favorites include Peninsula Jetty and Shoreline Aquatic Park for less crowded sunset experiences.
- Renting a Duffy boat or walking the beach path provides unique sunset adventures in Long Beach.
- Soak up the beauty of Long Beach sunsets; there’s something for everyone, from casual to upscale options.
The Sky is About to Put on a Show — Don’t Miss It
Long Beach, listen up. The weather is being absolutely gorgeous this week and it’s only getting better into the weekend. We’re talking clear skies, warm breezes, and golden hour conditions that are basically begging you to get outside and soak it all in. So put down the remote, grab your person (or your dog, we don’t judge), and get yourself to one of these Long Beach sunset spots before the sky does something beautiful without you.
Whether you’re looking for a place to watch the sunset in Long Beach with a glass of wine, a cold beer, or literally nothing but your own two feet in the sand — we’ve got you covered. Here are the best Long Beach sunset spots, ranked by vibe.
Elevated Views (aka The Drama Spots)
Hilltop Park — Signal Hill
If you only go to one Long Beach sunset spot in your life, make it this one. From the top of Signal Hill, you can see Big Bear, Mt. Baldy, Catalina Island, Downtown LA, the Hollywood Hills, the Hollywood Sign, and basically every good thing in Southern California all at once (if the weather plays nice and it’s super clear). It’s the kind of view that makes you feel like you need to call someone and tell them you love them.
Pro tip: Walk the Signal Hill Trail on the northern side for even wider panoramic views. Bring a blanket and snacks because you will not want to leave.
Address: 2351 Dawson Ave, Signal Hill, CA 90755
Beach & Waterfront Spots
Bluff Park — Ocean Blvd (20th to 36th Place)
This is Long Beach’s most underrated sunset stroll. Bluff Park sits right above the beach along Ocean Boulevard and has an easy walking loop that takes you along the cliff’s edge, down the stairs to the beach path, and back up again. Joggers, dog walkers, families, couples — everyone ends up here at golden hour because the views are just that good.
You’ll catch views of the Pacific, the iconic oil islands (yes, they’re disguised as tropical islands — only in LB), and on a clear day, Catalina sitting just off the horizon. The Long Beach Museum of Art is right here too, and if the free outdoor yoga session on the bluff is still going when you show up, just lean in.
This is one of the best free places to watch the sunset in Long Beach. No parking fees, no cover charge — just bring a jacket because that ocean breeze is real.
The Peninsula Jetty — End of Ocean Blvd
This one is a local secret and we’re only telling you because we trust you. Head all the way to the very tip of the Peninsula, where the sand meets the jetty at the end of Ocean Boulevard. Kick off your shoes, dig your toes into the sand, and just sit there. Listen to the water lap against the rocks. Watch the sky turn every shade of orange, pink, and purple over the Pacific.
No crowds. No cover. No Instagram influencers in your shot. Just you, the waves, and one of the best Long Beach sunset spots that most people never even know exists.
Shoreline Aquatic Park & Rainbow Harbor — 200 Aquarium Way
If you want a classic Long Beach postcard moment, come here. Shoreline Aquatic Park gives you stunning views of the Queen Mary, the Long Beach skyline, and the Aquarium of the Pacific all in one shot — and when the sky goes pink at golden hour, it is absolutely unreal. Walk the waterfront, pop into Shoreline Village for a snack, and watch the lighthouse catch the last light of the day. Very photogenic. Very Long Beach.
Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier (39 39th Place)
Walk to the end of the pier and you’ve got 360 degrees of open water in every direction. The sun drops behind the Palos Verdes hills from here, painting the whole sky in warm tones over the Pacific. It’s one of those Long Beach sunset spots that’s been a local staple forever — and for good reason. After you’re done, walk two blocks to Belmont Brewing and grab a beer. You’ve earned it.
Cocktails With a View
Because sometimes golden hour calls for a glass in your hand and a proper seat with a view. Here are the best spots to watch the sunset in Long Beach with a drink.
Halo Rooftop Bar — Fairmont Breakers (210 E. Ocean Blvd)
This is the move. Halo opens at 5pm — right when the sky starts doing its thing — and gives you 360-degree views from high above the coastline. We’re talking panoramas from Downtown LA to the Hollywood Hills to Catalina Island, all while sipping craft cocktails and wine with a rooftop DJ spinning in the background. It is genuinely one of the best places to watch the sunset in Long Beach, full stop.
Get there right at 5pm to snag a spot before it fills up on weekends. Rooftop seating goes fast when the sky is this pretty.
Hours: Sun–Thu 5pm–10pm | Fri–Sat 5pm onward
Sky Room — Fairmont Breakers, Top Floor
Same building, next level up — literally. The Sky Room has been Long Beach’s finest dining experience since 1938, and for good reason. Perched at the top of Fairmont Breakers, it looks out over the harbor and all the way to Downtown LA. The wine list is extensive, there’s a Champagne cart (yes, a Champagne cart), and the whole vibe is elevated in every sense of the word. This is your special occasion Long Beach sunset spot. Make a reservation.
Hours: Tue–Sat 5pm–10pm
Boathouse on the Bay (190 N. Marina Dr.)
Every single table at Boathouse has a view of Alamitos Bay, and the patio sits right on the water. This is one of the few Long Beach restaurants where every seat — indoors or out — connects to the marina. Upscale steaks, fresh seafood, full cocktail and wine program, and a bay that turns gold right around dinner time. The quintessential Long Beach waterfront dining experience.
Casual Bars With Waterfront Vibes
Ballast Point Brewing — Alamitos Bay (110 N. Marina Dr.)
A big elevated deck overlooking Alamitos Bay at Long Beach’s southernmost tip, with front-row views of sailboats and kayakers floating through the calm water around Naples Island. They have 60 beers on tap and solid American bites. It’s laid-back, it’s got atmosphere, and the bay views at sunset are legitimately stunning. This is a ‘get there early on weekends and put your name in’ situation — worth every minute of the wait.
Belmont Brewing Company — Belmont Heights (25 39th Place)
A Long Beach institution that’s been pouring craft beers on the beach since forever. The massive outdoor patio stretches right onto the beach, with fire pits and heaters to keep you cozy when the ocean breeze picks up. Sip something cold, watch the sky go orange, and feel very smug about living in Long Beach. This is what we do here.
Gaucho Beach — Alamitos Beach (780 E Shoreline Dr)
A casual rooftop terrace right on Alamitos Beach with direct ocean views, Argentine-inspired bites, live DJ sets, and — the move — a margarita flight with four full-sized cocktails to share with your friends. It’s laid-back, it’s fun, and the beach views at golden hour are chef’s kiss. Open Friday–Sunday until 9pm, so the timing lines up perfectly for sunset. Pro tip: the rooftop is the spot, so call ahead to confirm it’s open before you make the trek.
Unique Experiences
Rent a Duffy Boat on Alamitos Bay
Okay, this is the one your friends will talk about for months. Rent an electric Duffy boat, BYO drinks and snacks, pile in your besties, and cruise the canals past Naples Island and out toward the marina as the sun goes down. Watching the sky turn colors from the water — with a drink in your hand and nowhere you have to be — is a distinctly Long Beach kind of magic. It’s casual, it’s fun, and it is absolutely one of the best Long Beach sunset experiences you can have.
Walk the 4-Mile Beach Path
For the walkers and the cyclists: the flat, scenic beach path runs over four miles from Shoreline Marina all the way past Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier to Belmont Shore. Pick any stretch of it at golden hour and the sky will deliver. It’s the Long Beach sunset experience you can do every day and never get sick of.
Go Chase the Sun, LBC
Long Beach doesn’t get enough credit for its sunsets — and honestly? That’s on us for not talking about it louder. Whether you’re looking for a rooftop cocktail, toes in the sand, a waterfront patio, or a hilltop panorama, Long Beach has a sunset spot for every mood and every budget.
The weather is playing nice this week, the skies are clear, and the forecast into the weekend looks gorgeous. There is literally no excuse. Pick a spot from this list, get outside, and let Long Beach remind you why you live here.
📍 Save this post. Share it with your people. And tag us @LBCVibe when you catch that golden hour shot — we want to see it.
FAQs
Hilltop Park in Signal Hill is the ultimate Long Beach sunset spot for panoramic views — you can see Catalina Island, Downtown LA, the Hollywood Hills, and Big Bear all at once. If you want a sunset with a drink in hand, Halo Rooftop Bar at the Fairmont Breakers is the move.
So many options! Hilltop Park, Bluff Park, the Peninsula Jetty, the Beach Path, Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, and Shoreline Aquatic Park are all completely free. Long Beach is generous like that.
Halo Rooftop Bar (Fairmont Breakers) is the top pick for cocktails and wine with a view. For a more casual vibe, Gaucho Beach, Ballast Point, and Belmont Brewing all have outdoor waterfront seating and a full bar. Sky Room is the splurge option if you’re feeling fancy.
Sky Room at the Fairmont Breakers for a special occasion. Boathouse on the Bay for upscale waterfront dining. Or rent a Duffy boat on Alamitos Bay — BYO wine and snacks, cruise the canals, and call it the best date you’ve ever planned.
Bluff Park, the Peninsula Jetty, and the Beach Path are all dog-friendly outdoor spots where your pup is more than welcome. Just bring a leash and some water.
Sunset time changes throughout the year. In summer, the sun sets around 8pm. In winter, it drops closer to 5pm. Check timeanddate.com or just Google “sunset time Long Beach today” before you head out so you don’t miss the golden hour window.
It depends on the spot. Signal Hill and Bluff Park have street parking nearby. Shoreline Aquatic Park and Rainbow Harbor have paid parking lots. For Belmont Shore spots like the pier and Belmont Brewing, street parking can be tight on weekends — arrive early or plan to walk a bit.
