Having Lake Ontario at our footsteps in Toronto makes for a beautiful sunrise. The sun rises right over the water in different positions, depending what time of the year it is. There is a lot of natural light available even before sunrise, with calming shades of blue to fresh hues of green and yellow.
Each morning is uniquely different depending on many factors. I’m a bit of an early bird, so getting up early to capture the sun rising over the lake is not too tough for me. Here are some of my favorite places in Toronto to view the sunrise.
Marie Curtis Park, Toronto
Marie Curtis Park Beach is located on the east bank of the Etobicoke Creek. It was a lovely unexpected find and is exactly what a local park and beach should be – fun for walking, hiking, biking, relaxing on the beach, fishing and great photo opportunities as well. You can explore some nature trails and wooded paths with lovely bridges that cross it. It is a great place for the people to relax or just to sit there and watch the world go by. That is what makes Marie Curtis Park Beach so special. This photo was taken with a 16-35mm lens; in AV mode; at f/9 with an ISO setting of 100; exposure was 1/640 sec.
Colonel Samuel Smith Park, Toronto
You can watch the sunrise from almost anywhere along the Toronto shoreline, but Colonel Samuel Smith Park is very special. The park has a variety of attractions, including a children’s playground located only steps from Lake Ontario. This photo was taken with a 24-105mm lens; in AV mode; at f/9 with an ISO setting of 100; exposure was 1/320 sec.
Prince of Wales Park, Toronto
You’ll find this small park in South Etobicoke close to Third Street. This park may be small but it offers one of the best views of the Toronto skyline anywhere in the city. There are beautiful green areas to enjoy picnics and gatherings. This photo was taken with a 24-105mm lens; in manual mode; at f/20 with an ISO setting of 100; exposure was 4 sec.; camera on tripod with a 10-stop neutral density filter.
Humber Bay Arch Bridge, Toronto
Right next door to the Humber Bay Park, you will find this unique bridge. The Humber Bay Arch Bridge is one of those subjects that’s captivated Toronto photographers since its completion in the mid 1990s. Fabulous photo opportunities abound here at sunrise. This photo was taken with a 16-35mm lens; in AV mode; at f/11 with an ISO setting of 100; exposure was 1/125 sec.
Martin Goodman Trail, Toronto
The Martin Goodman Trail is a 56-kilometre multi-use path along the waterfront in Toronto. It traverses the entire lake shore from one end of the city to the other, from Humber Bay Arch Bridge in the west to the Rouge River in the east. To capture the bare branches, you need to be there before June. This photo was taken right next to the Humber Bay Arch Bridge with a 16-35mm lens; in AV mode; at f/11 with an ISO setting of 100; exposure was 1/200 sec.
Trillium Park, Toronto
Trillium Park is a provincial park in Toronto and offers a wonderful view of the Toronto skyline at sunrise and sunset. Close to Toronto, its a favorite with many of the locals. Its a nice place to spend a lazy afternoon strolling along the waterfront or having a picnic on a blanket. The Toronto skyline is the closest from this park. Superb photo opportunities here. I took my bike and biked along the waterfront. You can also explore Ontario Place next door. It’s a great place to relax and get that cottage feel without leaving the city! This photo was taken with a 24-105mm lens; in manual mode; at f/10 with an ISO setting of 200; exposure was 8 sec.; camera on tripod with a 10-stop neutral density filter.
Humber Bay Park East and West
Humber Bay Park is part of a network of small peninsulas stretching out into Lake Ontario, Humber Bay Park West is a beautiful spot on the city’s waterfront and Humber Bay East has the most gorgeous views over Toronto. The rocky beach is a very popular scuba diving site, especially with beginners. Trails behind the beach make for a good walking and bicycle route. This photo was taken with a 16-35mm lens; in AV mode; at f/11 with an ISO setting of 100; exposure was 1/50 sec.
We hope you enjoyed our “7 Most Beautiful Sunrise Locations in Toronto” and will stay in touch with us.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Peter Dulis is a Canadian photographer and visual storyteller living in Toronto, Ontario. His work has been published in a number of magazines such as Graphic Arts Magazine, Visual Wilderness, Luminous Landscape, Photo News and has been recognized for photography excellence. Follow Peter on his Photo adventures and grab your FREE e-book today – “5 Truly Amazing Places to Visit Before it’s too late!
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