We’re suckers for long, warm summer days.

The extended daylight allows for maximum outdoor exploration. If you know us, you know we don’t like to sit still for too long.

Discovery is a key part of the road trip experience, and we welcome these long days with curiosity. Summer solstice means more light for hiking, paddling, biking, fishing, climbing, and adventuring—enabling us to deeply connect with new places along the journey. 

One tradition we highly recommend getting behind is catching the sunset on the longest day of the year. Nature is a bit of a show-off, and there are not many more impressive spectacles than sunsets (ok, maybe sunrises for all you early birds).

There’s just something entirely enchanting about watching the fiery ball sink below the horizon—painting the sky in warm yellows, oranges, pinks, and purples. It’s like a little ode to a day well spent. They don’t call it magic hour for nothing.   

Western Washington will get nearly 16 hours of daylight on the Summer solstice this Sunday, June 20th. Get out there and enjoy it! And when the day comes to a close, make sure you check out our favorite spots to catch the sunset within a couple hours’ drive of Seattle. 

Where to catch the sunset near Seattle:

Gas Works Park
If you don’t have time to drive outside of Seattle, head to one of our local favorites. There really is no shortage of epic sunset views across the city, but we love Gas Works Park because it’s so classic Seattle. Sit on top of the park hill and watch the sky turn warm hues behind our iconic skyline. 

Point Defiance Park
Located in Tacoma, this park is also home to a zoo, aquarium, rhododendron, and rose garden. Stroll along the trails to the beach in time to watch the sun dip past the horizon. With views of the Narrows Bridge, Gig Harbor, Vashon Island and Mount Rainier, there are numerous locations to catch the sunset in this park -- check out their map here. 

Kalaloch Beach
This is our furthest recommendation from Seattle. If you’re up for a drive, we assure you Kalaloch Beach on the Washington coast will not disappoint. We’d suggest making a whole day out of it, hopping on the Bainbridge ferry from Seattle, grabbing provisions at Town & Country in Winslow, and stopping at Lake Crescent for a serene lakeshore picnic before heading out to the coast. If you want to spend the night, check out camping options on Hip Camp. 

Diablo Lake
Located off Highway 20 in the North Cascades, Diablo Lake is an absolute stunner. Pull off the highway, set down a blanket and take in the vast scenery while the sun starts to set. The mountains and turquoise glacial waters make this location all too dreamy not to experience while you’re in Washington State. 

Deception Pass
If you want some of the best views in Western Washington, Deception Pass is one of our go-to’s. With almost 15 miles of shoreline, three lakes, and countless trails, there’s tons of locations around the State Park to hang out and take in wildly fantastic views. If you want to make a day of it, hop on the Mukilteo ferry to Clinton and meander up to the park by way of Whidbey Island. 

We must say, it was quite difficult for us to pick just five locations to view the sunset. We may be a little biased, but we’re confident the best sunsets happen in the Pacific Northwest. So what are you waiting for? Call up a friend and connect with the great outdoors this Summer Solstice!