The above photo clearly shows that Sunset was once a sandy point that would break at all tide levels, somewhat like first point at Malibu. The date of the photo is unknown (to me), but it is certainly pre-1911 when Thomas Ince bought the land extending from the ocean up Santa Ynez Canyon (where Sunset Blvd. now meets the PCH) and began using it for movie sets. Based on the lack of development and the moderately traveled dirt road, some people have told me they think this photo dates from the 1880s.

This photo shows Sunset is still a sandy point break, but some structures have begun to be built near the point. Thomas Ince's set for the film Civilization is on the hilltop, which indicates this photo is from around 1915-1916, when the film was shot.

A more recent aerial photograph of Sunset, probably from the mid-1960s. Note that the Palisades Highlands has yet to be developed.

Here's a close up shot of the same photograph, so you can see more detail of what the point looked like in the 1960s. Much of the Gladstones parking lot appears to be just dirt at this point.