Sunset hikes near San Mateo, 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. Foster City Levee & Werder Pier 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:11 PM
   2. Sunset7:35 PM
   3. Head back7:50 PM
   4. At your car8:55 PM
   5. Dark8:02 PM

   Back at your car by 8:55 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.7 mi to the viewpoint · 130 min of walking

2. Jepson Laurel via Sawyer Camp Trail 4.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:04 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:04 PM
   2. Sunset7:36 PM
   3. Head back7:51 PM
   4. At your car8:49 PM
   5. Dark8:03 PM

   Back at your car by 8:49 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 800 ft climb · 129 min of walking

3. Sweeney Meadow Trail via Sweeney Ridge Trail 5.1 mi away

   Leave by 4:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:28 PM
   2. Sunset7:36 PM
   3. Head back7:51 PM
   4. At your car10:23 PM
   5. Dark8:03 PM

   Back at your car by 10:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.7 mi to the viewpoint · 980 ft climb · 320 min of walking

4. Fifield Ridge Road & Sweeney Meadow Trail 6.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
   2. Sunset7:36 PM
   3. Head back7:51 PM
   4. At your car8:28 PM
   5. Dark8:03 PM

   Back at your car by 8:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 420 ft climb · 86 min of walking

5. Pilarcitos Lake & Fifield Ridge Road 6.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:26 PM
   2. Sunset7:36 PM
   3. Head back7:51 PM
   4. At your car8:29 PM
   5. Dark8:03 PM

   Back at your car by 8:29 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 410 ft climb · 88 min of walking

6. Portola Discovery Site of San Francisco Bay–Pilarcitos Lake, 4 sights 6.9 mi away

   Leave by 7:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:11 PM
   2. Sunset7:36 PM
   3. Head back7:51 PM
   4. At your car7:54 PM
   5. Dark8:03 PM

   Back at your car by 7:54 PM — 9 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 110 ft climb · 8 min of walking

7. Old Cañada Road 6.9 mi away

   Be there by 7:16 PM

   1. Be there7:16 PM
   2. Sunset7:36 PM
   3. Dark8:02 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:02 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

8. Dusky-footed Woodrat Viewpoint–Dick Bishop Trail, 3 sights 5.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:42 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:42 PM
   2. Sunset7:35 PM
   3. Head back7:50 PM
   4. At your car8:23 PM
   5. Dark8:02 PM

   Back at your car by 8:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 200 ft climb · 67 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

9. Canyon Creek Trail–Chaparral Trail Loop, 3 sights 4.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:54 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:54 PM
   2. Sunset7:35 PM
   3. Head back7:50 PM
   4. At your car8:07 PM
   5. Dark8:02 PM

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

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 250 ft climb · 37 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

10. Scarpers Peak Serv Road 7.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:45 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:45 PM
    2. Sunset7:36 PM
    3. Head back7:51 PM
    4. At your car8:10 PM
    5. Dark8:03 PM

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

    0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 400 ft climb · 50 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

11. Chris Macintosh Trail & Whittemore Gulch Trail 7.9 mi away

    Be there by 7:16 PM

    1. Be there7:16 PM
    2. Sunset7:36 PM
    3. Dark8:02 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 8:02 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

12. Chris Macintosh Trail & Harkins Ridge Trail 7.9 mi away

    Be there by 7:15 PM

    1. Be there7:15 PM
    2. Sunset7:36 PM
    3. Dark8:02 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 8:02 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead