Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, a 68-acre resource-based park stretching one and a half miles along the Pacific Ocean shoreline on the western edge of Point Loma, is one of San Diego County’s wondrous sites and perhaps San Diego’s best-kept secret.
On the ocean side of Point Loma, the 18-acre linear park follows Sunset Cliffs Boulevard from Adair Street along the coastal bluffs past such landmarks as Cormorant Rock to Ladera Street. Along the way, there are several parking areas that allow for breathtaking ocean views, carved coastal bluffs, arches and sea caves. Flocks of pelicans soar along the bluffs and California gray whales can often be seen during their annual migration to Baja California. The spectacular sunset views give the area its name. But, the park is more than just grand vistas.
Enter the main hillside park at the Ladera Street parking lot. This 50-acre section is a designated multiple-species conservation area. Just south of the lot, there is a two-acre native plant garden with more than 50 native plant species of cacti, succulents, shrubs and a number of Torrey pine trees that have been added since the restoration effort started in 2005. Sunset Cliffs resident David Kimball, a member of the Sunset Cliffs Natural Park Council, leads the native plant garden project. Kimball organizes and supervises volunteers, including students from Point Loma Nazarene University, who assist in the planting and maintenance of the native garden.
Native habitat restoration is about to get a major boost as contracted work will soon begin on the Hillside Improvement Project, a California Conservancy grant project with matching funds from the city and a private donor. The project involves work on pedestrian trails, removal of incompatible elements and revegetating the site with selected plants. The two-acre native plant garden illustrates what the 50-acre Hillside Project expects to achieve.
At its peak in April, many of the early flowering plants are in bloom with others that will progressively bloom into the fall. Take a stroll to see their beauty as well as observe the many birds and other small animals that flourish in the natural habitat. To learn more, visit www.sunsetcliffs.info.