Sunset hikes near Capitola, 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. Land of Medicine Buddha & 6 mile trail loop 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 5:57 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:57 PM
   2. Sunset7:33 PM
   3. Head back7:48 PM
   4. At your car8:47 PM
   5. Dark8:00 PM

   Back at your car by 8:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.3 mi to the viewpoint · 680 ft climb · 135 min of walking

2. Aptos Creek Road 3.2 mi away

   Be there by 7:14 PM

   1. Be there7:14 PM
   2. Sunset7:34 PM
   3. Dark8:00 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:00 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

3. Maple Falls–Aptos Rancho Viewpoint, 8 sights 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:25 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:25 PM
   2. Sunset7:33 PM
   3. Head back7:48 PM
   4. At your car9:19 PM
   5. Dark8:00 PM

   Back at your car by 9:19 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.5 mi to the viewpoint · 770 ft climb · 199 min of walking

4. Sand Point Overlook–Aptos Rancho Trail, 5 sights 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 5:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:45 PM
   2. Sunset7:33 PM
   3. Head back7:48 PM
   4. At your car8:59 PM
   5. Dark8:00 PM

   Back at your car by 8:59 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.8 mi to the viewpoint · 700 ft climb · 160 min of walking

5. The Advocate Tree & Old Growth Loop Trail 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:59 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:59 PM
   2. Sunset7:33 PM
   3. Head back7:48 PM
   4. At your car8:04 PM
   5. Dark8:00 PM

   Back at your car by 8:04 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 30 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

6. Vienna Woods 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 car8:15 PM
   5. Dark8:00 PM

   Back at your car by 8:15 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 310 ft climb · 61 min of walking

7. Aptos Creek Fire Road–Aptos Creek Road, 3 sights 3.4 mi away

   Be there by 7:13 PM

   1. Be there7:13 PM
   2. Sunset7:34 PM
   3. Dark8:00 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:00 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

8. 6 mile trail loop 3.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:01 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:01 PM
   2. Sunset7:33 PM
   3. Head back7:48 PM
   4. At your car8:47 PM
   5. Dark8:00 PM

   Back at your car by 8:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.2 mi to the viewpoint · 640 ft climb · 132 min of walking

9. Aptos Creek Road–Big Stump Gap Trail, 5 sights 3.8 mi away

   Leave by 5:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:09 PM
   2. Sunset7:33 PM
   3. Head back7:48 PM
   4. At your car9:53 PM
   5. Dark8:00 PM

   Back at your car by 9:53 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.3 mi to the viewpoint · 660 ft climb · 249 min of walking

10. Olive Springs–Big Stump Gap Trail, 3 sights 3.8 mi away

    Leave by 6:14 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:14 PM
    2. Sunset7:33 PM
    3. Head back7:48 PM
    4. At your car8:30 PM
    5. Dark8:00 PM

    Back at your car by 8:30 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.7 mi to the viewpoint · 610 ft climb · 101 min of walking

11. Aptos Creek Fire Road & Trout Gulch Trail 5.1 mi away

    Leave by 7:09 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:09 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 — 9 min before dark.

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 6 min of walking

12. Point Santa Cruz–2222 Beach, 3 beaches 5.1 mi away

    Leave by 7:12 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:12 PM
    2. Sunset7:34 PM
    3. Head back7:49 PM
    4. At your car7:51 PM
    5. Dark8:00 PM

    Back at your car by 7:51 PM — 10 min before dark.

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint