Sunset hikes near San Rafael, 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. Gold Hill Fire Road–Quercus III, 4 sights 1.7 mi away

   Be there by 7:16 PM

   1. Be there7:16 PM
   2. Sunset7:37 PM
   3. Dark8:03 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:03 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

2. Quercus I & Quercus IV 2 mi away

   Leave by 6:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
   2. Sunset7:37 PM
   3. Head back7:52 PM
   4. At your car8:49 PM
   5. Dark8:03 PM

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

   1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 240 ft climb · 111 min of walking

3. Quercus I–Quercus III, 3 sights 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:09 PM
   2. Sunset7:37 PM
   3. Head back7:52 PM
   4. At your car8:41 PM
   5. Dark8:03 PM

   Back at your car by 8:41 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 740 ft climb · 117 min of walking

4. Laurel Dell Falls–Arturo Trail, 8 sights 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:38 PM
   2. Sunset7:37 PM
   3. Head back7:52 PM
   4. At your car8:44 PM
   5. Dark8:04 PM

   Back at your car by 8:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 1630 ft climb · 151 min of walking

5. Dawn Falls–Bon Tempe Lake, 7 sights 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:06 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:06 PM
   2. Sunset7:37 PM
   3. Head back7:52 PM
   4. At your car8:36 PM
   5. Dark8:04 PM

   Back at your car by 8:36 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.7 mi to the viewpoint · 980 ft climb · 115 min of walking

6. Indan Fire Road–Indian Fire Trail, 4 sights 3.3 mi away

   Be there by 7:17 PM

   1. Be there7:17 PM
   2. Sunset7:37 PM
   3. Dark8:04 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:04 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

7. Lake Lagunitas–East Peak Fire Trail, 6 sights 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:59 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:59 PM
   2. Sunset7:37 PM
   3. Head back7:52 PM
   4. At your car8:31 PM
   5. Dark8:04 PM

   Back at your car by 8:31 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 1280 ft climb · 117 min of walking

8. Colier Spring–Phoenix Lake, 13 sights 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 7:15 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:15 PM
   2. Sunset7:37 PM
   3. Head back7:52 PM
   4. At your car7:54 PM
   5. Dark8:04 PM

   Back at your car by 7:54 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 5 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

9. Mayor's Lookout–Blithedale Ridge Fire Road, 3 sights 3.4 mi away

   Be there by 7:17 PM

   1. Be there7:17 PM
   2. Sunset7:37 PM
   3. Dark8:04 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:04 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

10. Blithedale Ridge Fire Road–Corte Madera Ridge Fire Road, 6 sights 3.4 mi away

    Be there by 7:17 PM

    1. Be there7:17 PM
    2. Sunset7:37 PM
    3. Dark8:04 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 8:04 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

11. McNears Fire Trail & Quercus IV via Ridge Fire Trail 2 mi away

    Leave by 6:37 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:37 PM
    2. Sunset7:37 PM
    3. Head back7:52 PM
    4. At your car8:33 PM
    5. Dark8:03 PM

    Back at your car by 8:33 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 240 ft climb · 80 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

12. Verna Dunshee Viewpoint–Indian Fire Trail, 4 sights 3.2 mi away

    Leave by 5:53 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:53 PM
    2. Sunset7:37 PM
    3. Head back7:52 PM
    4. At your car8:26 PM
    5. Dark8:04 PM

    Back at your car by 8:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 1650 ft climb · 118 min of walking