Sunsets…Sunrises…these are two of the most beautiful moments in time and they are so fleeting. Whether you are showing your children the beauty of creation or sharing a special sunset moment with your significant other, these sunsets will take your breath away! One way I capture the essence of any trip I take is to take time to view a sunset and sunrise! I tend to prefer sunsets for some reason though! And I have tried on a few occasions to capture such beauty in a photograph, but it is hard to do justice to such magnificence! I have been around the world to many places, but wanted to share where some of my favorite sunset places in North America have been as these are ones you may be more likely to visit! If you get the chance to visit any of these places, you must take time to schedule in sunset or sunrise viewing! Put these on your bucket list and you will not be disappointed!
PUERTO VALLARTA, MX SUNSET
This photo was taken on the beach outside of the hotel Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta. They have photographers on the beach at sunset to take your photo and I suggest you take advantage of this service to capture the beauty of the sunsets here and a moment in time of your trip. Several resorts offer similar services, so look into it when you are on vacation in Mexico! Most Mexico resorts have amazing views of sunsets, so be sure not to miss out.
CALIFORNIA BEACH SUNSETS
Sunset at Ventura Beach
I may be partial to the sunsets of Ventura County Beaches as this is my home county, but there is a good reason for having a California Sunset on this list – they are pretty spectacular. Park by the Ventura Pier, have dinner at Beach house tacos (and validate your parking here), then take a walk on the boardwalk by Ventura Beach and you can often find an amazing sunset to capture! And you may see dolphins too!
MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN, CA SUNSET
Mammoth Mountain, CA Sunset at 11,053 Feet
This has to be one of the most spectacular sunsets I have ever seen. The reason for it’s magnificence was that at a view of over 11,000 feet (11,053 feet to be exact), the full panoramic effect of the sunset was awe inspiring! The opportunity to see the sunset from the top of the Mammoth Mountain in California doesn’t come around very often. In fact, they usually only have one opportunity a month in the spring and summer for the public to have this view and tickets are very reasonable – $30 on average for gondola ride and event. In the summertime, check out the Mammoth website for the Sunset at Summit events and make a plan to be there! Or google Summit Sunset Mammoth and sometimes there are other opportunities! You will not be disappointed. Although it was still very chilly on an August night at that altitude, the cold fingers and nose were ignored as I marveled at this sunset that you could watch from many angles and over many peaks and even into these valleys with mists and crags accentuating the beauty of it all!
LAKE POWELL UT/AZ SUNSET
Lake Powell Sunset
Lake Powell – a manmade 186-mile-long lake spanning Utah and Arizona with over 2,000 miles of shoreline – has many amazing viewpoints and opportunities for sunsets! Just google Lake Powell sunsets (or any sunsets on this page for that matter!) and you will find many screen saver options! Sunset at Lake Powell at Wahweap Overlook is a popular viewing place but there are many places on the lake you can get a nice view! Plan a Houseboat trip for many nights of Lake Powell Sunsets!
HALEAKALA, MAUI SUNSET
You may have heard of this one or have seen photos of this famous sunrise/sunset location in Hawaii! Many tourists make Haleakala a must see on their list on their visit to Hawaii for a good reason. It is amazing! It’s name means “House of the Sun”. Most people do the sunrise tour that is offered, but the sunset tour is just as incredible, you can see the lowlands below and other islands off in the distance. You often drive through a ring of cloud as you ascend to the viewing spot. However it fits into your schedule, MAKE IT HAPPEN! You can do a guided tour or a bike tour (not the best/safest tour to do and I would not recommend it) or drive yourself there.
The Ventura Beach sunset pic is pretty. I don’t know that I have a favorite sunset place, but I enjoy seeing them with my family.