Sunset hikes near Gilroy, 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. Mendoza Trail–Rancho La Polka Trail, 3 sights 4.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:49 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:49 PM
   2. Sunset7:32 PM
   3. Head back7:47 PM
   4. At your car8:06 PM
   5. Dark7:58 PM

   Back at your car by 8:06 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 42 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

2. Coyote Ridge Trail–Mendoza Trail, 3 sights 4.8 mi away

   Leave by 7:00 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:00 PM
   2. Sunset7:32 PM
   3. Head back7:47 PM
   4. At your car7:55 PM
   5. Dark7:59 PM

   Back at your car by 7:55 PM — 3 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 20 min of walking

3. Calaveras Trail–Campground Trail, 3 sights 5.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:41 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:41 PM
   2. Sunset7:32 PM
   3. Head back7:47 PM
   4. At your car8:14 PM
   5. Dark7:58 PM

   Back at your car by 8:14 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 180 ft climb · 58 min of walking

4. San Juan Highway & Y Road 6.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:22 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:22 PM
   2. Sunset7:32 PM
   3. Head back7:47 PM
   4. At your car8:22 PM
   5. Dark7:58 PM

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

   1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 500 ft climb · 85 min of walking

5. Atherton Peak & Vanoni Road 6.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
   2. Sunset7:32 PM
   3. Head back7:47 PM
   4. At your car8:10 PM
   5. Dark7:59 PM

   Back at your car by 8:10 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 710 ft climb · 68 min of walking

6. Mount Pajaro 6.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
   2. Sunset7:32 PM
   3. Head back7:47 PM
   4. At your car8:11 PM
   5. Dark7:59 PM

   Back at your car by 8:11 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 740 ft climb · 70 min of walking

7. Rancho San Ysidro Trail & Willow Springs Trail 6.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:34 PM
   2. Sunset7:32 PM
   3. Head back7:47 PM
   4. At your car8:16 PM
   5. Dark7:59 PM

   Back at your car by 8:16 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 360 ft climb · 67 min of walking

8. San Juan Highway 6.9 mi away

   Leave by 7:00 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:00 PM
   2. Sunset7:32 PM
   3. Head back7:47 PM
   4. At your car7:54 PM
   5. Dark7:58 PM

   Back at your car by 7:54 PM — 4 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 19 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

9. Vanoni Road 7.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:51 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:51 PM
   2. Sunset7:32 PM
   3. Head back7:47 PM
   4. At your car8:05 PM
   5. Dark7:59 PM

   Back at your car by 8:05 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 110 ft climb · 39 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

10. Merry-Go-Round Trail 7.8 mi away

    Be there by 7:13 PM

    1. Be there7:13 PM
    2. Sunset7:33 PM
    3. Dark7:59 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:59 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

11. Miller House–Giant Twins, 9 sights 7.8 mi away

    Be there by 7:13 PM

    1. Be there7:13 PM
    2. Sunset7:33 PM
    3. Dark7:59 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:59 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

12. White deer pen–Blackhawk Trail, 4 sights 8.1 mi away

    Be there by 7:13 PM

    1. Be there7:13 PM
    2. Sunset7:33 PM
    3. Dark7:59 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:59 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

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