Sunset hikes near San Juan Bautista, 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. San Juan Highway & Y Road 2.8 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

2. San Juan Highway 2.4 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

3. Atherton Peak 6.8 mi away

   Leave by 4:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:11 PM
   2. Sunset7:32 PM
   3. Head back7:47 PM
   4. At your car10:26 PM
   5. Dark7:59 PM

   Back at your car by 10:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.1 mi to the viewpoint · 1920 ft climb · 341 min of walking

4. Mount Pajaro 6.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:01 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:01 PM
   2. Sunset7:32 PM
   3. Head back7:47 PM
   4. At your car8:34 PM
   5. Dark7:59 PM

   Back at your car by 8:34 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.8 mi to the viewpoint · 890 ft climb · 118 min of walking

5. Vanoni Road 8.2 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

6. Castro Valley Road 9.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:16 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:16 PM
   2. Sunset7:32 PM
   3. Head back7:47 PM
   4. At your car8:24 PM
   5. Dark7:59 PM

   Back at your car by 8:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

7. Whitehurst Road 9.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:19 PM
   2. Sunset7:32 PM
   3. Head back7:47 PM
   4. At your car8:25 PM
   5. Dark7:59 PM

   Back at your car by 8:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

8. Thompsons Grove via Whitehurst Road 11.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:13 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:13 PM
   2. Sunset7:32 PM
   3. Head back7:47 PM
   4. At your car9:32 PM
   5. Dark7:59 PM

   Back at your car by 9:32 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

9. Salsipuedes-Pajaro Cycleway 13.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:57 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:57 PM
   2. Sunset7:33 PM
   3. Head back7:48 PM
   4. At your car8:03 PM
   5. Dark7:59 PM

   Back at your car by 8:03 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 32 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

10. Merry-Go-Round Trail 14.8 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 14.8 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. Mendoza Trail–Rancho La Polka Trail, 3 sights 14.8 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