Sunset hikes near Old 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 4.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:40 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

   Back at your car by 7:40 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 4.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:34 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:29 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

   Back at your car by 7:29 PM — 3 min before dark.

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

3. San Juan Highway & Y Road 5.4 mi away

   Leave by 5:57 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:57 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:57 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

   Back at your car by 7:57 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

4. Calaveras Trail–Campground Trail, 3 sights 5.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:15 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:15 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:48 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

   Back at your car by 7:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

5. San Juan Highway 6.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:28 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

   Back at your car by 7:28 PM — 4 min before dark.

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

6. Whitehurst Road 5.8 mi away

   Leave by 5:53 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:53 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:59 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

   Back at your car by 7:59 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 730 ft climb · 92 min of walking

7. Castro Valley Road 5.8 mi away

   Leave by 5:50 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:50 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:58 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

   Back at your car by 7:58 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 820 ft climb · 92 min of walking

8. Thompsons Grove via Whitehurst Road 8.5 mi away

   Leave by 4:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:47 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car9:07 PM
   5. Dark7:33 PM

   Back at your car by 9:07 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.0 mi to the viewpoint · 770 ft climb · 224 min of walking

9. Mount Pajaro 8.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:01 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:01 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:45 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

   Back at your car by 7:45 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

10. Vanoni Road 9.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:25 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:25 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car7:39 PM
    5. Dark7:33 PM

    Back at your car by 7:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

11. Atherton Peak & Vanoni Road 9.6 mi away

    Leave by 6:25 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:25 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car7:36 PM
    5. Dark7:33 PM

    Back at your car by 7:36 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 260 ft climb · 36 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

12. Harvey Bear Trail–Townsprings Trail, 3 sights 7.3 mi away

    Leave by 5:34 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:34 PM
    2. Sunset7:06 PM
    3. Head back7:21 PM
    4. At your car8:16 PM
    5. Dark7:32 PM

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

    2.2 mi to the viewpoint · 600 ft climb · 127 min of walking