Sunset hikes near Alta Mesa, ca

A short walk out, the whole show, and back at your car before dark. Times are estimates at a relaxed pace; give yourself extra buffer, especially with kids or in a group.

1. Ewing Hill–Black Mountain, 8 sights 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 4:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:38 PM
   2. Sunset7:33 PM
   3. Head back7:48 PM
   4. At your car9:26 PM
   5. Dark8:00 PM

   Back at your car by 9:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.0 mi to the viewpoint · 1910 ft climb · 252 min of walking

2. Stevens Creek Viewpoint & San Francisco Bay Trail 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:33 PM
   3. Head back7:48 PM
   4. At your car8:22 PM
   5. Dark8:00 PM

   Back at your car by 8:22 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 66 min of walking

3. San Francisco Bay Trail & Stevens Creek Trail 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:39 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:39 PM
   2. Sunset7:33 PM
   3. Head back7:48 PM
   4. At your car8:22 PM
   5. Dark8:00 PM

   Back at your car by 8:22 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 68 min of walking

4. Renzel Trail via Adobe Creek Trail 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 7:12 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:12 PM
   2. Sunset7:33 PM
   3. Head back7:48 PM
   4. At your car7:50 PM
   5. Dark8:00 PM

   Back at your car by 7:50 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 2 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

5. Permanente Creek Trail 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:03 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:03 PM
   2. Sunset7:33 PM
   3. Head back7:48 PM
   4. At your car7:58 PM
   5. Dark8:00 PM

   Back at your car by 7:58 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 19 min of walking

6. Upper High Meadow Viewpoint–Bella Vista Trail, 5 sights 4.7 mi away

   Leave by 5:50 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:50 PM
   2. Sunset7:33 PM
   3. Head back7:48 PM
   4. At your car9:01 PM
   5. Dark8:00 PM

   Back at your car by 9:01 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.6 mi to the viewpoint · 720 ft climb · 157 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

7. Black Mountain–Monte Bello Road (Trail) Viewpoint, 3 summits 5.5 mi away

   Leave by 7:07 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:07 PM
   2. Sunset7:33 PM
   3. Head back7:48 PM
   4. At your car7:52 PM
   5. Dark8:00 PM

   Back at your car by 7:52 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 10 min of walking

8. Bella Vista Trail–Canyon Trail, 5 sights 5.6 mi away

   Leave by 7:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:11 PM
   2. Sunset7:33 PM
   3. Head back7:48 PM
   4. At your car7:52 PM
   5. Dark8:00 PM

   Back at your car by 7:52 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 6 min of walking

9. Indian Creek Trail & Monte Bello Road (Trail) 5.6 mi away

   Leave by 7:10 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:10 PM
   2. Sunset7:33 PM
   3. Head back7:48 PM
   4. At your car7:51 PM
   5. Dark8:00 PM

   Back at your car by 7:51 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 6 min of walking

10. Bodhidharma Cave–Canyon Trail, 7 sights 5.8 mi away

    Leave by 6:54 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:54 PM
    2. Sunset7:33 PM
    3. Head back7:48 PM
    4. At your car8:07 PM
    5. Dark8:00 PM

    Back at your car by 8:07 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 38 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

11. Windy Hill–Hamms Gulch Trail, 4 sights 6.5 mi away

    Leave by 5:48 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:48 PM
    2. Sunset7:34 PM
    3. Head back7:49 PM
    4. At your car8:44 PM
    5. Dark8:00 PM

    Back at your car by 8:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.3 mi to the viewpoint · 1000 ft climb · 142 min of walking

12. Anniversary Viewpoint–Hamms Gulch Trail, 4 sights 6.5 mi away

    Leave by 5:47 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:47 PM
    2. Sunset7:34 PM
    3. Head back7:49 PM
    4. At your car8:44 PM
    5. Dark8:00 PM

    Back at your car by 8:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.3 mi to the viewpoint · 1010 ft climb · 141 min of walking