Best Places to Watch Sunrise in Los Angeles (2026 Guide)

[Updated March 2026] This classic Los Angeles sunrise guide has been completely updated with new locations, current parking information, and 2026 tips.

Best Places to Watch Sunrise in Los Angeles

Los Angeles offers some of California's most spectacular sunrise viewpoints, from hillside observatories to coastal beaches. Whether you're an early riser or planning a special morning, these locations provide unforgettable sunrise experiences across the city.

1. Griffith Observatory (Our Top Pick for Los Feliz Residents)

There are few things that will get me out of bed before sunrise, but the breathtaking view from atop Griffith Park in Los Angeles is definitely one of them.

Laughlin Park residents enjoy quick access to these sunrise trails.

Griffith Park is located on Los Feliz Boulevard and is the 2nd largest city park in California, bringing a much-needed touch of nature to the Los Angeles area. Not only is the hiking great for watching the beautiful sunrise, but the park has other attractions to enjoy such as the Greek Theatre, LA Zoo, and Mt. Lee—home of the Hollywood sign.

The Oaks neighborhood has direct hiking access to Griffith Park.

How to Get There:

To hike and watch the sunrise, park at the west entrance at Fern Dell Nature Center. You must arrive bright and early. The hike is quite enjoyable as it winds through gigantic sycamores along a small brook. It's impressive how quickly you can remove yourself from the hustle and bustle of the city and be greeted by the beauty and silence of nature.

The Experience:

The hike takes approximately 45 minutes each way, so pack water and light snacks to recharge once you reach the top. Even though the round trip is 1.5 hours, the incline is gradual, making it accessible to those who aren't avid hikers.

When you reach Griffith Observatory, go around the back to the viewing deck where you can enjoy a full panoramic view of Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles. Watching the sunrise means getting up early, but the view is absolutely worth the trek and early morning start.

Best Time: Arrive 30-45 minutes before sunrise

Parking: Free at Fern Dell Nature Center (limited spots)

Accessibility: Moderate hike, gradual incline

Nearby: Easily accessible from Los Feliz, Franklin Village, Atwater Village, Glendale, and Hollywood

2. Runyon Canyon

Popular with hikers and dog owners, Runyon Canyon offers stunning sunrise views over Hollywood and the Pacific Ocean on clear days.

Location: Fuller Avenue entrance (Hollywood)

Best Time: 45 minutes before sunrise to secure parking

Difficulty: Moderate, with steep sections

Why Go: 360-degree views, dog-friendly, close to Hollywood

Many of these trails are also dog-friendly - see our guide to dog-friendly Los Feliz spots.

3. Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area

This Baldwin Hills park provides sweeping views of downtown LA, the Hollywood sign, and on clear days, the ocean.

Location: La Cienega Boulevard entrance

Best Time: Year-round sunrise viewing

Difficulty: Easy to moderate trails

Why Go: Less crowded than Griffith Park, great for families

4. El Matador State Beach (Malibu)

For a coastal sunrise experience, El Matador Beach offers dramatic rock formations and Pacific Ocean views.

Location: 32350 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu

Best Time: Summer months (sun rises over land in winter)

Difficulty: Easy, but steep stairs to beach

Why Go: Unique beach sunrise, perfect for photography

5. Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

Often called the "Culver City Stairs," this viewpoint offers sunrise views of the LA Basin, downtown skyline, and Pacific Ocean.

Location: 6300 Hetzler Road, Culver City

Best Time: Year-round

Difficulty: 282 steps to the top

Why Go: Quick workout with big rewards, free parking

6. Echo Mountain (Altadena)

For serious hikers, Echo Mountain provides sunrise views over the San Gabriel Valley and LA Basin.

Location: Lake Avenue trailhead, Altadena

Best Time: Year-round, but bring layers

Difficulty: Challenging 5.5-mile round trip

Why Go: Ruins of historic railway, incredible views

7. Point Dume (Malibu)

A clifftop trail offering sunrise views over the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands.

Location: Westward Beach Road, Malibu

Best Time: Spring and summer

Difficulty: Easy 1.5-mile round trip

Why Go: Whale watching opportunities, dramatic coastal views

Tips for Watching Sunrise in Los Angeles

Timing: Arrive 30-45 minutes before official sunrise time for the best light and colors

Parking: Popular spots fill up quickly—arrive early

What to Bring: Water, light snacks, layers (mornings can be cool), camera

Weather: Check fog forecasts—marine layer can obscure coastal sunrises

Safety: Hike with a buddy and bring a headlamp for pre-dawn trails

Why Sunrise Beats Sunset in LA

While Los Angeles is famous for its sunsets, sunrise offers unique advantages:

- Fewer crowds at popular viewpoints

- Cooler temperatures for hiking

- Clearer air before daily pollution builds up

- Wildlife is more active

- Parking is easier to find

Plan Your Sunrise Adventure

Los Angeles offers sunrise experiences for every fitness level and interest—from challenging mountain hikes to easy beach walks. Griffith Observatory remains our top recommendation for Los Feliz residents due to its accessibility, incredible views, and the peaceful morning hike through nature.

Discover more Los Feliz culture and activities.

Sunrise in Los Angeles: Frequently Asked Questions

### What time is sunrise in Los Angeles? Sunrise times in Los Angeles vary by season - from around 5:45 AM in summer to 6:50 AM in winter. Check exact sunrise times for the specific day you plan to visit.

### Where is the best place to watch sunrise in LA? Griffith Observatory offers the best combination of panoramic city views, easy parking, and accessible hiking trails. For beach sunrise views, try El Matador State Beach in Malibu.

### Can you see sunrise from Griffith Park? Yes! Griffith Park and Griffith Observatory are among the best sunrise viewpoints in Los Angeles, offering 360-degree views of the city, Hollywood sign, and downtown LA skyline.

### Is Runyon Canyon good for sunrise? Runyon Canyon offers excellent sunrise views over Hollywood and West LA, but parking fills up quickly. Arrive at least 45 minutes before sunrise to secure a spot.

### Do I need a car to watch sunrise in Los Angeles? Most of the best sunrise spots in LA require a car to access. Public transit doesn't run early enough for most sunrise hikes, and rideshare options may be limited in early morning hours.

### What should I bring to watch sunrise in LA? Bring water, a light jacket (mornings can be cool even in summer), a headlamp or flashlight for pre-dawn hiking, and your camera. Snacks are also recommended for longer hikes. ```

Ready to make Los Feliz your home? Explore Los Feliz neighborhoods and find your perfect community.

Debbie Pisaro | Los Feliz Real Estate Expert

DRE# 01369110 | (310) 362-6429 | debbie@coastline840.com

New at the LA Zoo - LA Zoo Lights Starts Friday in Griffith Park

Starting Friday, the Los Angeles Zoo will offer a new holiday tradition, LA Zoo Lights. The zoo in Griffith Park will be decorated with glowing light animals and 3-D projections by Bionic League, world-renowned light designers who have created light shows for Kanye West and Daft Punk. Visitors can see real reindeer and enjoy holiday treats and music, too. LA Zoo Lights is open every night from 6 – 10 p.m., starting Friday, until Jan. 4 (except for Dec. 24 and 25). $13 for adults, $11 for children 2 - 12 years old.  
 

The Eastside's Hottest "New" Area is Frogtown - Here's Why

FROG TOWN:  Front Porch Living at its Finest........

The Elysian Valley, just outside of Los Angeles, California has long been considered a small, closely knit community.  The residents there affectionately refer to it as “Frogtown.”  Some say this name comes from an event many years ago when the river’s water level rose up to unbelievably high levels and frogs literally covered the streets.  Some say that is just a myth, designed to keep the busy Los Angeles residents from overpopulating their community.  If those folks found out how peaceful, friendly and attractive the Frogtown community really was, there may be a mass exodus of people leaving the city and heading for greener pastures.

The community is a little like something you would see in a painting from the fifties.  People sit outside on front porches and wave at their neighbors as they walk by.  Families go for bike rides together through the streets.  Back yards are filled with fruit trees and shrubs adorn the front walkways.  People walk through downtown hand-in-hand on a Saturday night without looking over their shoulder, and the occasional resident may actually go to bed at night without locking all their doors, slamming a deadbolt shut and setting their alarm system. 

But don’t confuse this with a Norman Rockwell classic.  The town may only have a few churches, some small stores, a couple of schools and a gas station, but it is still a part of Los Angeles.  This small segment of society is still only a few miles north of the city.  There is no soda shop on the corner or old-time pickup trucks with hay in their truck beds.  The residents of Frogtown are a proud group of folks who have worked very hard to keep their community on the right track.  As a community they have fought to keep their area zoned for “low-density” housing.  This prevents Los Angeles developers from coming in and constructing high rise apartments and condominiums.  The community also works together to keep their area safe.  There is a planned, centrally organized neighborhood watch group on nearly every block throughout Frogtown. 

The area that Frogtown encompasses is small in relation to the surrounding cities.  The strong sense of community within its borders may stem from its relative seclusion.  The city is bordered by the Los Angeles River on one side, and the Golden State freeway on the opposing side.  The side that borders the freeway is literally walled off from the rest of civilization by a giant wall that was built by the Department of Transportation, in an effort to muffle the noise from the massive traffic count.  With a wall on one side and a natural barrier like a river on the other, that only leaves two ways to enter or exit Frogtown;  from the North or the South.   With entry to this hidden cove only possible via Riverside Drive or Fletcher Drive, this community doesn’t get many casual visitors.  It is actually said within the community that anyone who comes to Frogtown is either there for a very specific purpose…or they’re lost.

The homes in Frogtown have a modern flavor in their features and conveniences.  However, their design is individual and distinct.  Most neighborhoods are unique and eclectic, as you may pass a home with a distinctly Spanish influence on one block and a uniquely Old-English Colonial design on the next.  This trend is refreshing to most residents, who have fought to repel the cookie-cutter over development that plagues neighboring areas. 

This is an area that was founded by families of the railroad workers in years past.  Homes in the north end are intermingled with small factories and bus yards.  There are scattered and various light industries in Frogtown today as well.  Many of those, such as electrical, plumbing or air-conditioning contractors, serve the greater Los Angeles area but are stationed in Frogtown to attract workers who want to avoid city life.  The south end of Frogtown is still mostly residential, and houses many of the employees who work in town.

This quaint area is secluded and private, but still just a stone’s throw away from the big city.  For the best of both worlds, and an air of community spirit that is second to none, it is easy to see why so many residents continue to call Frogtown their home.