MAY - View Spots
- Ballard - 15th Avenue Bridge
Best sunsets generally happen between May 11 and August 1 (click photo for directions and info).
- Beacon Hill - Dr. Jose Rizal Park
Best sunsets generally happen between March 27 and September 15 (click photo for directions and info).
- Belltown - Olympic Sculpture Park
Best sunsets generally happen between July 31 and May 10 (click photo for directions and info).
- Fremont - Drawbridge
Best sunsets generally happen between May 20 and July 24 (click photo for directions and info).
- Interbay - Myrtle Edwards Park
Best sunsets generally happen between August 10 and May 2 (click photo for directions and info).
- Wallingford - Gas Works Park
Best sunsets generally happen between May 5 and May 14, then, July 29 and August 8 (click photo for directions and info).
- West Seattle - Duwamish Head
Best sunsets here... generally happen year-round (click photo for directions and info).
Good spots based on the suns location this month.
- Ballard - 15th Street Bridge (Starting, May 11)
- Beacon Hill - Rizal Park (All Month)
- Belltown - Olympic Sculpture Park (Ending, May 10)
- Fremont - Drawbridge (Starting, May 20)
- Interbay - Myrtle Edwards (Ending, May 2)
- Wallingford - Kite Hill (Starting, May 5 and Ending, May 14)
- West Seattle - Duwamish Head (All Month)
SUNSET CHECKLIST
In Seattle, sunsets rarely happen at their 'official time' due to clouds drifting in the wind and the varying heights of mountain peaks on the horizon. Catching a good sunset is often a combination of art, science, and luck. This 7-step checklist can help increase your odds.
- Check today's 'official' sunset time so you'll a rough idea of when it's happening.
- Find a location near you offering an unobstructed sunset view by using the locations above, or checking other locations with the suncalc tool.
- An hour or so beforehand (even if there are clouds overhead), check the western horizon for clear sky. If you can't see the horizon from your location try the Space Needle Webcam, or the Northwest Wining and Dining Webcam. They may help you make a good guess.
- If happens to be stormy, cloudy, or rainy, check the weather radar, to see if the weather's just passing though.
- Make your best guess for your departure time by checking traffic, estimating travel time, and planning to arrive early.
- Dress for the weather, a pack camera, bring snacks and see what else is nearby.
- Be patient and stay an extra 10 - 20 minutes after the sunset if you can, especially if there are a few clouds in the sky. Because sometimes, that's when the most amazing colors happen.