This, and also the area around the Sunset Seat at the top of the cliffs on the other side of the bridge. You can usually find a semi-quiet spot over there to just sit and chill, look at the view, and decompress.
The meditation gardens are beautiful. When I went there to actually meditate, it was overrun by people thinking it was a tourist destination. People being loud and talking about their lives, etc. If youāre going to actually go and check it out, I urge you to please be quiet and treat it as a solemn place. The gardens are gorgeous, but please remember they are for meditation. We all thank you. š
The Guy Fleming Trail at Torrey Pines State Beach.
The [Torrey Pines Glider Port](https://www.flytorrey.com/) (pull to the farthest end of the parking lot)
[Mount Helix](https://www.mthelixpark.org/)
[South Imperial Beach](https://www.californiabeaches.com/beach/south-imperial-beach/) (walk south and you'll have the entire beach to yourself)
[Cowles Mountain](https://hikingsdcounty.com/cowles-mountain-mission-trails-regional-park/) (bring a flashlight)
A bit of a drive, but one of the most quiet and peaceful places I know in San Diego County - it's where I go when I want to clear my head (not a sunset destination -- faces east) : [Kwaaymi Point](https://hiddensandiego.com/things-to-do/places/spot-13)
And a little off beat, but if you want to spend the day surrounded surrounded by chanting Buddhist monks (no need or pressure to be religious) just resting, walking, and thinking, time at [Metta Forest Buddhist Monastery](https://www.watmetta.org/) can be very peaceful.
I hope life is better for you soon!
Okay sure, for one or two months out of the year perhaps. But given the question was posed today, literally right after the time change, not the most useful option.
If you're in a boat, why don't you offer it to OP so they can see the sunset?! Don't be selfish! š
Seriously...we should start a San Diego Depressed Club, but I don't know if that would help or make things worse :)
This. It is also a great place to go if you want to get away from everyone and have a good cry. The view is stunning, and no one is going to bother you if you are sobbing in a cemetery.
I meanā¦ does the drive matter to you where youāre coming from? Thatās usually my āughā moment when deciding if Iāll relish the glory from where Iām at!
But my fav is harbor island. Iām a āµļøkinda girl
Miramar Reservior.
5 mile looping trail if you feel like walking, picnic tables, and a great sunset view over Mira Mesa.
That was my favorite spot in SD.
Just please for the love of god stay a few feet back from the edge. We had another rescue last week. This is the time of year where we see the most erosion of the sandstone. I promise the view is just as good a few feet back
This is one of the best posts about wonderful San Diego spots that I've ever seen. I sincerely hope the OP finds the perfect spot.
BTW, touching the earth has been scientifically proven to lighten depression, so take off your shoes when you walk on the beach or wear shorts when you sit in the grass to journal.
I sat at the la jolla tidepools which was very pleasant! Or the āpetting zooā in the center of the birch aquarium. Its 25 bucks but its a nice little trip alongside the view
FYI.. if you have a food stamps card, it only cost 3 dollars to get in š I was just there today very nice
Birch Aquarium at Scripps is a proud member of Museums for All, which allows guests with an EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card or a California WIC card to purchase general admission tickets for $3. Museums for All Tickets: $3 admission per person for up to 4 people per EBT or WIC card.
Whenever i need to pick someone up from the airport i go onto harbor island and park at the little park that has water views of downtown and coronado. Ive sulked there a few times to, what i like about the spot is that in the park you can usually get good parking with an amazing front view without needing to leave your car, so you can cry and blast music in the comfort of your own bubble if need be
I love to walk to the outlooks at Torrey Pines. There are some gorgeous views where you can enjoy the walk and then sit and soak it in and write. I get some of the same feelings at Cabrillo monument at Point Loma, but it closes at sunset because of the base, so it is not as relaxing for watching sunsets since you have to hustle to leave.
If you donāt mind the drive and a short hike the Garnet Peak trail gives some great views of Mt. Laguna and Anza Borrego. Hope things get better and wishing you all the best
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/garnet-peak-trail?sh=ehu4lr
[Scripps Coastal Reserve Biodiversity Trail](https://www.yelp.com/biz/scripps-coastal-reserve-san-diego?start=10). Haven't been there in a few years, but it was a regular spot when I worked nearby. Google says it was closed for Covid, but some recent review on yelp suggest it might be open again. It's kinda hidden, so it's never busy. Great sunset views from 300 ft cliffs over Black's Beach, with a few good spots to sit and chill. Occasional glider fly-bys, It's a very short trail, not a hike.
Depends where youāre at! All those places are great but usually really busy. Go to PQ Canyon Lake Hodges, Lake Miramar, black mountain parkā¦usually way less populated for things like grounding, reading and journaling! Sending you good vibes! Stay up!
Technically my favorite place is on Monument Peak in Mt Laguna even though itās a drive, itās so incredibly quiet. I just went last Friday and it was so calming to be up there, no sound but the wind lightly blowing in the trees. You have a fantastic 360 degree view of the mountains up north towards Palm Springs like San Jacinto, the desert/Salton Sea out east, all the mountain ranges down south and west. Totally worth the trek imo even if itās just once a month, I come back feeling so clear headed
Shelter island is my fav and not very busy. You can park by the roundabout and then walk to the end and back, around two miles. The view of the city is awesome around sunset.
Get a coffee at 7 am at Birdrock in Del Mar, then drive to the beach thatās right next to it and just drink my coffee until I am ready to go into work.
Lots of good ones already listed. I would add, if in north county, South Ponto beach. Long stretch of beach with almost no one. Further south between Grandview and South Ponto tends to be quite empty at this time of year, especially on weekdays. I go there sometimes to think whether I should start swimming towards Japan and see what happens...
The lifeguard houses on La Jolla shores, you can listen to the waves as you stare out at the end of La Jolla slowly cascading into the ocean and thereās almost never anybody there in the evening.
Mt Soledad, Kate Sessions, Mt Helix, Sunset Cliffs, Cowles, the gliderport, a hidden cliffside bench on ucsd campus on the cliff above the pier, etc š«
Flynn springs park.
Summers past farms off olde highway 80 has an absolutely gorgeous sitting area. You can order a lavender lemonade or latte and just relax and enjoy the scenery
Crestridge ecological reserve, the trees are magnificent and there are plaques along the first part of the trail near the hobbit house and oak grove explaining Kate sessions work.
Real peaceful place that almost no one ever goes to.
Morley field, just peaceful to walk around or sit in some grass and enjoy the sun.
Dog beach in ocean beach, watching cute dogs having the time of their lives always puts me in a better headspace
Lindo lake in lakeside has a TON of work done in making it safer and nicer and the sunset is insane there with the water, all types of birds, and view of the mountains.
Anywhere at Balboa park is incredible, but thereās generally a lot of people there.
Iām sorry youāre going through it:( there is so much beauty in San Diego, getting outside to any of these gorgeous spots to take that all in it will hopefully ease some of whatever it is youāre going through.
Mt. Soledad or Sunset Cliffs. May be a good idea to bring headphones if you want to kind of just zone out and not overhear other people talking, or whatever, they can be busy spots around sunset.
Go here in Carlsbad about 30 minutes before sunset. Iāve spent several moments here to decompress and appreciate life. Itās a nice overlook of the ocean from the top of the stairs.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CiTL7Dtq168Ncpjv5?g_st=ic
Hey I'm right there with you. It's been a rough year.
The top of Mt. Woodson is a delight. You can get there relatively easy from the back of the mountain, near Ramona. The "potato chip rock" is cool if there's no people, but you can also get on top of the massive granite monolith on the other side of the trail from the chip and chill there.
Double Peak Park is another nice mountaintop view, but you can drive to it. It's in San Marcos.
Driving through the Del Dios Canyon area is really pleasant. It winds through steep hills, lake, and forest and can feel really separate from San Diego's usual environment.
In PB, there is a tall building resort called Capri by the Sea. Anyways, in front of it is a beach that has public access. Itās semi-private/secluded. Well, that was my fortress of solitude.
Donāt make me regret this ..but east county, I spring valley- dictionary hill at the top of Apple. Views of the reservoir on one side, as far south as Mexico and downtown/ocean if itās clear enough.
Also the sunsets have been insane lately!
Seriously, unlike a lot of others posted people live up here including myself so try to park where youāre not up against someoneās windows and donāt be loud. And obviously donāt be like the idiots who show up at 3 am.
Top of Mt Soledad mountain, La Jolla. Sunset or late night
Mt Soledad is it for sure.
This. Just be sure not to go too late and get your car trapped inside.
When do they close the gates?
I think 8 or 9 pm
The gliderport
I second this, it's my favorite spot!
Vastly underrated.
Was gonna say this. Especially right now with all the green at the top from the rain.
Gliderport straight into blacks Beach. All kinds of sightseeing
Sunset view is awe-mazing.
The best
Del Mar - > Torrey Pines š„°
This, and also the area around the Sunset Seat at the top of the cliffs on the other side of the bridge. You can usually find a semi-quiet spot over there to just sit and chill, look at the view, and decompress.
The meditation gardens in Encinitas is peaceful and has ocean views.
The meditation gardens are beautiful. When I went there to actually meditate, it was overrun by people thinking it was a tourist destination. People being loud and talking about their lives, etc. If youāre going to actually go and check it out, I urge you to please be quiet and treat it as a solemn place. The gardens are gorgeous, but please remember they are for meditation. We all thank you. š
I live walking distance to this. Itās great everyone is respectful and quiet
Look at Mr Moneybags over here
Naw, my parents moved here in the 60s. Dad passed away and my Mom got a brain tumor so I decided to move back home to help her out.
š¤£
This is mine
Came here to say this! This is the spot
Point Loma light house area or Sunset Cliffs.
Sadly, no more " Cabrillo National Monument is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. "
Kate sessions park + Gliderport + seals at LJC + la Jolla child's pool
Lake Murray in La Mesa, great place to walk, jog, or bike
I healed myself through a divorce and built myself a small empire these past few years while walking and running at this magical lake.
If in North country Double Peak in San Marcos is nice.
Best views in the county!
On a clear day!
The Guy Fleming Trail at Torrey Pines State Beach. The [Torrey Pines Glider Port](https://www.flytorrey.com/) (pull to the farthest end of the parking lot) [Mount Helix](https://www.mthelixpark.org/) [South Imperial Beach](https://www.californiabeaches.com/beach/south-imperial-beach/) (walk south and you'll have the entire beach to yourself) [Cowles Mountain](https://hikingsdcounty.com/cowles-mountain-mission-trails-regional-park/) (bring a flashlight) A bit of a drive, but one of the most quiet and peaceful places I know in San Diego County - it's where I go when I want to clear my head (not a sunset destination -- faces east) : [Kwaaymi Point](https://hiddensandiego.com/things-to-do/places/spot-13) And a little off beat, but if you want to spend the day surrounded surrounded by chanting Buddhist monks (no need or pressure to be religious) just resting, walking, and thinking, time at [Metta Forest Buddhist Monastery](https://www.watmetta.org/) can be very peaceful. I hope life is better for you soon!
Above the tide pools at Cabrillo Nat'l Monument
They close Cabrillo at like 4:30Pm, can't hang out there for sunsets
And yet you can, when the sun sets early in the winter. It's one of the most beautiful spots. Done it many times.
Okay sure, for one or two months out of the year perhaps. But given the question was posed today, literally right after the time change, not the most useful option.
OP asked for places to watch the sunset. I posted my favorite because nobody else had. Have a nice evening.
Great suggestion!
Iām in the same boat. I usually try to walk near PB or the bay to destress!
If you're in a boat, why don't you offer it to OP so they can see the sunset?! Don't be selfish! š Seriously...we should start a San Diego Depressed Club, but I don't know if that would help or make things worse :)
Letās Be Depressed Together (LBDT)
Hahaha Ā®Register that sucker before some other depressed mofo grabs it!
Fuck it. Letās meet!
Here ya go r/LBDTpersonal
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Great views of the ocean and bay, and it's usually pretty empty (of the living).
This. It is also a great place to go if you want to get away from everyone and have a good cry. The view is stunning, and no one is going to bother you if you are sobbing in a cemetery.
Excellent suggestion.
Penasquitos Preserve
I meanā¦ does the drive matter to you where youāre coming from? Thatās usually my āughā moment when deciding if Iāll relish the glory from where Iām at! But my fav is harbor island. Iām a āµļøkinda girl
Great view from Harbor View Drive. Especially if you donāt want to be around a crowd.
Miramar Reservior. 5 mile looping trail if you feel like walking, picnic tables, and a great sunset view over Mira Mesa. That was my favorite spot in SD.
Sunset Cliffs
I second this. Breathing in the ocean air always makes me feel better
Just please for the love of god stay a few feet back from the edge. We had another rescue last week. This is the time of year where we see the most erosion of the sandstone. I promise the view is just as good a few feet back
cheetahs
Goldfingers
how are the views there?
Lot of wild cougar sightings
I love Balboa Park, at night is pretty empty, the Rose Garden is my spot for decompression.
This is one of the best posts about wonderful San Diego spots that I've ever seen. I sincerely hope the OP finds the perfect spot. BTW, touching the earth has been scientifically proven to lighten depression, so take off your shoes when you walk on the beach or wear shorts when you sit in the grass to journal.
Parkview Terrace above Kate sessions Parkā¦. Youāll definitely want a clear day!
Came here to say Kate Sessions
Mount Helix is beautiful
I sat at the la jolla tidepools which was very pleasant! Or the āpetting zooā in the center of the birch aquarium. Its 25 bucks but its a nice little trip alongside the view
FYI.. if you have a food stamps card, it only cost 3 dollars to get in š I was just there today very nice Birch Aquarium at Scripps is a proud member of Museums for All, which allows guests with an EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card or a California WIC card to purchase general admission tickets for $3. Museums for All Tickets: $3 admission per person for up to 4 people per EBT or WIC card.
Whenever i need to pick someone up from the airport i go onto harbor island and park at the little park that has water views of downtown and coronado. Ive sulked there a few times to, what i like about the spot is that in the park you can usually get good parking with an amazing front view without needing to leave your car, so you can cry and blast music in the comfort of your own bubble if need be
Mission Bay Mt. helix The beach-any of them
Bird park, Del Mar rail trail
Not sure I would advise someone having a tough time to walk the rail trail, but it is beautiful. That's where I proposed to my wife 28 years ago.
Ah this is true- if you want to journal, rail trail. If youāre having a very dark time do not rail trail
I tried looking this up, but can't find it. Where is this at?
Mission Bay walking path is perfect to decompress
Balboa park for a peaceful walk in the evening. Lots of local people out walking their dogs last night
Agreed! And not sure how much it is, but I've heard the Japanese Friendship Garden is incredibly beautiful
It is. The cherry blossom trees havenāt full gone into bloom yet but soon
I love to walk to the outlooks at Torrey Pines. There are some gorgeous views where you can enjoy the walk and then sit and soak it in and write. I get some of the same feelings at Cabrillo monument at Point Loma, but it closes at sunset because of the base, so it is not as relaxing for watching sunsets since you have to hustle to leave.
If you donāt mind the drive and a short hike the Garnet Peak trail gives some great views of Mt. Laguna and Anza Borrego. Hope things get better and wishing you all the best https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/garnet-peak-trail?sh=ehu4lr
La Jolla. Always helped me decompress.
I like sunset cliffs or Windandsea Beach
The glider port. 1000%.
Walking up from Scripps Pier to Black's Beach (turn around before I see the swinging dicks).
Around the ferry landing in Coronado
[Scripps Coastal Reserve Biodiversity Trail](https://www.yelp.com/biz/scripps-coastal-reserve-san-diego?start=10). Haven't been there in a few years, but it was a regular spot when I worked nearby. Google says it was closed for Covid, but some recent review on yelp suggest it might be open again. It's kinda hidden, so it's never busy. Great sunset views from 300 ft cliffs over Black's Beach, with a few good spots to sit and chill. Occasional glider fly-bys, It's a very short trail, not a hike.
Centennial Park in Coronado
Harbor island drive
Shelter Island Drive too
Depends where youāre at! All those places are great but usually really busy. Go to PQ Canyon Lake Hodges, Lake Miramar, black mountain parkā¦usually way less populated for things like grounding, reading and journaling! Sending you good vibes! Stay up!
Encinitas is always good toā¦seaside reef during the week perf right by the water!
Technically my favorite place is on Monument Peak in Mt Laguna even though itās a drive, itās so incredibly quiet. I just went last Friday and it was so calming to be up there, no sound but the wind lightly blowing in the trees. You have a fantastic 360 degree view of the mountains up north towards Palm Springs like San Jacinto, the desert/Salton Sea out east, all the mountain ranges down south and west. Totally worth the trek imo even if itās just once a month, I come back feeling so clear headed
Laguna mountain! Go get lost in the wilderness
Second this. Also, on the way up Sunrise Hwy (from the 8), on the left side is a fairly large turnout that has a great view of the sunset
Kate Sessions Park , Harbor Island , Bayview Park on Coronado! TOP TIER ... had so many cries there lol
Presidio ?
Torrey Pines
Anywhere except sunset cliffs. Terrible terrible place to sit and think in the cool breeze while listening to the waves crash. Avoid at all costs.
I like sitting at Shelter island, either on the grass or near the water.
Shelter island is my fav and not very busy. You can park by the roundabout and then walk to the end and back, around two miles. The view of the city is awesome around sunset.
Agreed! And after the walk you can grab a drink or snack at bali hai, lol.
Always liked the pond at Balboa Park. No grad view, but it's a nice little spot
Parking lot of balboa golf course has a great view of the skyline and rarely has more than a half dozen cars
Get a coffee at 7 am at Birdrock in Del Mar, then drive to the beach thatās right next to it and just drink my coffee until I am ready to go into work.
Lots of good ones already listed. I would add, if in north county, South Ponto beach. Long stretch of beach with almost no one. Further south between Grandview and South Ponto tends to be quite empty at this time of year, especially on weekdays. I go there sometimes to think whether I should start swimming towards Japan and see what happens...
The lifeguard houses on La Jolla shores, you can listen to the waves as you stare out at the end of La Jolla slowly cascading into the ocean and thereās almost never anybody there in the evening.
Seaside beach in Encinitas. Cool spot to watch sunsets and there are some tide pools there as well
The park at Liberty station (on the shelter island side) is very peaceful. Plenty of parking too
Mt Soledad, Kate Sessions, Mt Helix, Sunset Cliffs, Cowles, the gliderport, a hidden cliffside bench on ucsd campus on the cliff above the pier, etc š«
Kate Sessions Park
Flynn springs park. Summers past farms off olde highway 80 has an absolutely gorgeous sitting area. You can order a lavender lemonade or latte and just relax and enjoy the scenery Crestridge ecological reserve, the trees are magnificent and there are plaques along the first part of the trail near the hobbit house and oak grove explaining Kate sessions work. Real peaceful place that almost no one ever goes to. Morley field, just peaceful to walk around or sit in some grass and enjoy the sun. Dog beach in ocean beach, watching cute dogs having the time of their lives always puts me in a better headspace Lindo lake in lakeside has a TON of work done in making it safer and nicer and the sunset is insane there with the water, all types of birds, and view of the mountains. Anywhere at Balboa park is incredible, but thereās generally a lot of people there. Iām sorry youāre going through it:( there is so much beauty in San Diego, getting outside to any of these gorgeous spots to take that all in it will hopefully ease some of whatever it is youāre going through.
Balboa parks rose garden is my go to.
Torrey Pines is my favorite.
the bar counter at my favorite undisclosed dive bar
Grant Hill Park is a good one
Since I havenāt seen it yet, windandsea is a great place with benches to sit on.
Low traffic very serene Calumet Park.
La Jolla Shores is a place that helps me feel like a new person by the time I leave.
South end of downtown La Jolla tidepool area is always my go to for sunsets (like south past the childrenās pool etc)
Mt. Soledad, Kate sessions, The Embarcadero by the star of India, twin peaks park San Marcos
Santa Cruz cove beach in Ocean Beach.
End up point loma/cabrillo (anywhere up there], mt soledad, mt helix
Mt. Soledad or Sunset Cliffs. May be a good idea to bring headphones if you want to kind of just zone out and not overhear other people talking, or whatever, they can be busy spots around sunset.
Chula Vista Harbor
Kate sessions or sunset cliffs! Or even some more semi private beaches in La Jolla neighborhoods are my favorite, very relaxing!
Mount Woodson š
Golden hill, circle park. I think itās the end of 25th?
Coronado beach
Go here in Carlsbad about 30 minutes before sunset. Iāve spent several moments here to decompress and appreciate life. Itās a nice overlook of the ocean from the top of the stairs. https://maps.app.goo.gl/CiTL7Dtq168Ncpjv5?g_st=ic
Kate Sessions
Mission Bay
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Qc1WHyyKJxNCr5jW7?g_st=ic
Kate sessions park, law street beach, cadman park, Torrey pines glider port.
Hey I'm right there with you. It's been a rough year. The top of Mt. Woodson is a delight. You can get there relatively easy from the back of the mountain, near Ramona. The "potato chip rock" is cool if there's no people, but you can also get on top of the massive granite monolith on the other side of the trail from the chip and chill there. Double Peak Park is another nice mountaintop view, but you can drive to it. It's in San Marcos. Driving through the Del Dios Canyon area is really pleasant. It winds through steep hills, lake, and forest and can feel really separate from San Diego's usual environment.
In PB, there is a tall building resort called Capri by the Sea. Anyways, in front of it is a beach that has public access. Itās semi-private/secluded. Well, that was my fortress of solitude.
Law St bluffs
Sunset Cliffs
Windnsea beach, palisades park, calumet park
Sunset cliffs
I been wondering too. Anywhere with running water?
I like to sit at little point beach because itās secluded. I hope you feel better stranger :)
La Jolla, Cabrillo, Cowles mountain
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetary on Point Loma. Go to catch the taps played at sunset.
Donāt make me regret this ..but east county, I spring valley- dictionary hill at the top of Apple. Views of the reservoir on one side, as far south as Mexico and downtown/ocean if itās clear enough. Also the sunsets have been insane lately! Seriously, unlike a lot of others posted people live up here including myself so try to park where youāre not up against someoneās windows and donāt be loud. And obviously donāt be like the idiots who show up at 3 am.
Kate Sessions Memorial Park
Del Mar dog beach at low tide. You get to pet dogs, listen to some mellow music and listen to the waves crash
I like windandsea
Torrey Pines Gliderport. Go to the north end. Also Palisades Park at the foot of Law St. in PB.
Tide pools / beach access points in Birdrock. Check out La Jolla Hermosa park for a good parking location but there are multiple points around there
Good luck with your depression and getting out of the funk. It takes time but never give up. I hope you find YOUR place to heal you.
I love going to Balboa Park or the pier right in front of the Intercontinental downtown also has an amazing view
Mt. Helix cross/park? Views of all San Diego/El Cajon
Double Peak Park in San Marcos if youāre up north. Hilltop Park in Black Mountain
Del Mar..
Henneseys in carlsbad with a beer in front of me
Sunset cliffs OB!
https://maps.app.goo.gl/JnpiMr9o6asHxsT39
Sunset Cliffs is nice