Outdoor Activities ...
As we travel, we like to pursue some of our interests (such as astronomy and bird watching).
When in Sun Valley, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Sun Valley and the surrounding area.
- Weather ...
- Before heading outdoors, you should check the weather:
- The National Weather Service forecast for Sun Valley
- Astronomy & Satellites ...
- Whether using binoculars, a small telescope or the naked-eye, the Heavens-Above website can help you to find your way around the night-time sky. In addition to detailed sky charts, their website will help you find planets, asteriods, comets, satellites and their tracks across the sky.
- To give accurate results, Heavens-Above requires the latitude and longitude of your location. As a starting point, when we link to Heavens-Above, we pass this GPS location for Sun Valley:
- 33.644269, -86.698878
- Once you're on the Heavens-Above website, you can improve its accuracy by giving a more precise longitude and latitude as your actual position.
- The Heavens-Above Website, centered on Sun Valley
- Bird Watching ...
- We enjoy finding new spots for bird watching and we use the eBird website for local sighting reports and to help identify hotspots.
- The eBird website is organized on a county-by-county basis. We have selected Jefferson County as the starting point when you click on the link below:
- eBird sighting report for Jefferson County
- Since Sun Valley is near Blount County and also Saint Clair County, we have provided a link to their eBird sighting reports:
- eBird sighting report for Blount County
- eBird sighting report for Saint Clair County
- Waymarking ...
- Looking for somewhere out of the ordinary? Find a unique place and want to share it with others? Then it's time to visit Waymarking.com:
- Waymark.com
Communities Also Named Sun Valley ...
We found 28 communities that share the name Sun Valley.
Within Alabama, the name Sun Valley is unique.
Beyond Alabama, we know of another 28 communities that are located throughout in the United States and Canada. Of these 28 communities, 26 are located in the United States and two are in Canada.
- Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
- Arizona
- Gila County
- This Sun Valley is located in Gila County and lies 1,404 miles [2,259.5 km]<1> to the west of the Sun Valley that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Gila County community of Sun Valley.
- Navajo County
- This Sun Valley is located in Navajo County and lies 1,332 miles [2,143.6 km] to the west of the Sun Valley that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Navajo County community of Sun Valley.
- British Columbia
- This Sun Valley lies 2,125 miles [3,419.9 km]<1> to the northwest of the Sun Valley that is located in Jefferson County.
- California
- Los Angeles County
- This Sun Valley is located in Los Angeles County and lies 1,807 miles [2,908.1 km]<1> to the west of the Sun Valley that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Los Angeles County community of Sun Valley.
- Florida
- Palm Beach County
- This Sun Valley is located in Palm Beach County and lies 628 miles [1,010.7 km]<1> to the southeast of the Sun Valley that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Palm Beach County community of Sun Valley.
- Georgia
- Clayton County
- This Sun Valley is located in Clayton County and lies 137 miles [220.5 km]<1> to the east of the Sun Valley that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Clayton County community of Sun Valley.
- Cobb County
- This Sun Valley is located in Cobb County and lies 128 miles [206 km] to the east of the Sun Valley that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cobb County community of Sun Valley.
- Fulton County
- This Sun Valley is located in Fulton County and lies 127 miles [204.4 km] to the east of the Sun Valley that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Fulton County community of Sun Valley.
- Idaho
- Blaine County
- This Sun Valley is located in Blaine County and lies 1,633 miles [2,628.1 km]<1> to the northwest of the Sun Valley that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Blaine County community of Sun Valley.
- Maryland
- Anne Arundel County
- This Sun Valley is located in Anne Arundel County and lies 677 miles [1,089.5 km]<1> to the northeast of the Sun Valley that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Anne Arundel County community of Sun Valley.
- Carroll County
- This Sun Valley is located in Carroll County and lies 667 miles [1,073.4 km] to the northeast of the Sun Valley that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Carroll County community of Sun Valley.
- Nevada
- Washoe County
- This Sun Valley is located in Washoe County and lies 1,867 miles [3,004.6 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Sun Valley that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Washoe County community of Sun Valley.
- New Mexico
- Lincoln County
- This Sun Valley is located in Lincoln County and lies 1,091 miles [1,755.8 km]<1> to the west of the Sun Valley that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lincoln County community of Sun Valley.
- North Carolina
- Nash County
- This Sun Valley is located in Nash County and lies 520 miles [836.9 km]<1> to the east northeast of the Sun Valley that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Nash County community of Sun Valley.
- Ohio
- Clark County
- This Sun Valley is located in Clark County and lies 462 miles [743.5 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Sun Valley that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Clark County community of Sun Valley.
- Franklin County
- We found mention of this community, but have little information.<2> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Ohio community of Sun Valley [Franklin County].
- Pennsylvania
- Monroe County
- This Sun Valley is located in Monroe County and lies 798 miles [1,284.3 km]<1> to the northeast of the Sun Valley that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Monroe County community of Sun Valley.
- Saskatchewan
- This Sun Valley lies 1,510 miles [2,430.1 km]<1> to the north northwest of the Sun Valley that is located in Jefferson County.
- Tennessee
- Putnam County
- This Sun Valley is located in Putnam County and lies 187 miles [300.9 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Sun Valley that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Putnam County community of Sun Valley.
- Texas
- El Paso County
- We found mention of this community, but have little information.<2> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Texas community of Sun Valley [El Paso County].
- Harris County
- This Sun Valley is located in Harris County and lies 572 miles [920.5 km]<1> to the west southwest of the Sun Valley that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Harris County community of Sun Valley.
- Hidalgo County
- This Sun Valley is located in Hidalgo County and lies 861 miles [1,385.6 km] to the west southwest of the Sun Valley that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hidalgo County community of Sun Valley.
- Lamar County
- This Sun Valley is located in Lamar County and lies 501 miles [806.3 km] to the west of the Sun Valley that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lamar County community of Sun Valley.
- Virginia
- Fairfax County
- This Sun Valley is located in Fairfax County and lies 638 miles [1,026.8 km]<1> to the northeast of the Sun Valley that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Fairfax County community of Sun Valley.
- Roanoke County
- This Sun Valley is located in Roanoke County and lies 456 miles [733.9 km] to the northeast of the Sun Valley that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Roanoke County community of Sun Valley.
- West Virginia
- Hancock County
- This Sun Valley is located in Hancock County and lies 578 miles [930.2 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Sun Valley that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hancock County community of Sun Valley.
- Harrison County
- This Sun Valley is located in Harrison County and lies 521 miles [838.5 km] to the northeast of the Sun Valley that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Harrison County community of Sun Valley.
- Kanawha County
- This Sun Valley is located in Kanawha County and lies 424 miles [682.4 km] to the northeast of the Sun Valley that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Kanawha County community of Sun Valley.
- Arizona
Curious and Interesting Names Near Sun Valley ...
As we travel, we always see a community with a name that gives pause. While there are names which are interesting or familiar, some catch our attention or strike our fancy. We always wonder about such a name. If time permits and the community is not too far, we'll usually try to make a side-trip.
- Airport Highlands
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Airport Highlands have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Airport Highlands
- Airport Highlands is located in Jefferson County
- Arrowhead
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast) - Center Point
(Less than 2 miles to the east)- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Center Point
- Center Point is located in Jefferson County
- Estimated population in 2015: 16,655 people
- Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Center Point <4>
- Chalkville
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chalkville
- Chalkville is located in Jefferson County
- Dale ‑ Historic
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast) - Danville
(5 miles [8 km] to the southwest) - Eagle Ridge
(5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Eagle Ridge have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eagle Ridge
- Eagle Ridge is located in Jefferson County
- Echo Hills
(5 miles [8 km] to the east)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Echo Hills have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Echo Hills
- Echo Hills is located in Jefferson County
- Larkwood
(Less than 2 miles to the north) - Queenstown
(5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Queenstown have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Queenstown
- Queenstown is located in Jefferson County
- Spring Garden
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Spring Garden have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spring Garden
- Spring Garden is located in Jefferson County
- Trotwood Park
(5 miles [8 km] to the south)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Trotwood Park have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Trotwood Park
- Trotwood Park is located in Jefferson County
- Zion City
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
How Far From Sun Valley to ...
We spend a lot of time looking through Gazetteers that were published in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Many of the Gazetteers include the distance from a community such as Sun Valley to various places of note, such as the White House.
With a nod to our favorite Gazetteers, the straight-line distance beginning in Sun Valley and extending to:
- Birmingham, which is the Seat of Jefferson County, lies 10 miles [16.1 km]<1> to the southwest. If you could walk a straight line from Sun Valley to Birmingham, with an average speed<5> of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour, it would take four to five hours to make the trip. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take a little over three hours.
- Montgomery, which is the State Capital of Alabama, lies 90 miles [144.8 km] to the south southeast (SSE). Driving, with an average speed of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, would take less than two hours, a buggy would take most of three days and walking would take 6 days.
- The White House (Washington, DC) is 648 miles [1,042.9 km] to the northeast (NE). Driving would take just over a day, a buggy would take 26 days and walking would take 37 days.
- The shortest distance<6> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,541 miles [10,526.7 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>
- The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 7,250 miles [11,667.7 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>
- The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 5,126 miles [8,249.5 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<9>
Off-the-Road Links ...
Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Sun Valley. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.
The official website for Jefferson County: www.jeffcointouch.com/
The official website for State of Alabama: https://www.alabama.gov/
Footnotes ...
| <1> | Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line drawn from Point A (ie- Sun Valley) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Sun Valley. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 33.6443, Longitude: -86.6989 In this case, the coordinates for Sun Valley have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). |
| <2> | If we encounter the name of what might be a community, our methodology is to add that name to our Gazetteer as a placeholder. As we find more information about that community, it will be added to our Gazetteer. Just as a reminder: Our definition of a community is rather broad and includes those places (or areas) where several families lived and had a name which identified that place. For example, you might hear somebody say that they are going over to Mile's to see Pete ... Mile's is just a gas station and a couple of homes at the crossroads. While it might not be on the map, everybody in the area knows it by that name. Places of interest include buildings at a crossroad, several families clustered in a hollow or maybe the location of a way station. It also includes places like mines, lumber camps, ferry crossings, etc. The community might still exist, is now gone or only existed for just a short period of time. Also keep in mind that Sun Valley could have been on the original document by mistake, misspelled, the original/alternate name of a community that we've listed elsewhere or was placed in the wrong county. Sometimes a post office or train station would have a different name than the community where it's located, so two names might be referring to the same community - we're working to straighten it all out. |
| <3> | The location has been supplied by the Geographic Names Information System - which is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). While these values should be definitive, we found that accuracy can vary and you should double-check the location if accuracy is required. |
| <4> | While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program. |
| <5> | While we have tried to pick reasonable speeds, the rate of travel is very theoretical - obstacles like fences, hills, lakes, river crossings and rest stops have been ignored. When we say 'Days' of travel, we're assuming 8 hours of travel per day. |
| <6> | The shortest line can be visualized by stretching a string on a Globe from Point A to Point B - this is known as a Great Circle Route. Where you might expect the shortest route from Sun Valley to the Middle East to be East and South, the Great Circle Route actually lies to the North and East. |
| <7> | The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 313.622 degrees. |
| <8> | The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 309.242 degrees. |
| <9> | The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 310.228 degrees. |