Sunset hikes near Sand City, 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. Salsipuedes-Pajaro Cycleway 20.8 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

2. Vanoni Road 24.4 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

3. Thompsons Grove via Whitehurst Road 24.8 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

4. Atherton Peak & Vanoni Road 25.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:51 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:51 PM
   2. Sunset7:32 PM
   3. Head back7:47 PM
   4. At your car8:02 PM
   5. Dark7:59 PM

   Back at your car by 8:02 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

5. Maple Falls–Aptos Rancho Viewpoint, 8 sights 25.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:25 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:25 PM
   2. Sunset7:33 PM
   3. Head back7:48 PM
   4. At your car9:19 PM
   5. Dark8:00 PM

   Back at your car by 9:19 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.5 mi to the viewpoint · 770 ft climb · 199 min of walking

6. Mount Pajaro 25.7 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. Point Santa Cruz–2222 Beach, 3 beaches 26.2 mi away

   Leave by 7:12 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:12 PM
   2. Sunset7:34 PM
   3. Head back7:49 PM
   4. At your car7:51 PM
   5. Dark8:00 PM

   Back at your car by 7:51 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

8. 2222 Beach & West Cliff Multipurpose Cycleway 26.3 mi away

   Leave by 7:12 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:12 PM
   2. Sunset7:34 PM
   3. Head back7:49 PM
   4. At your car7:51 PM
   5. Dark8:00 PM

   Back at your car by 7:51 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

9. Sharpe Overlook & 2222 Beach via West Cliff Multipurpose Cycleway 26.3 mi away

   Leave by 7:12 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:12 PM
   2. Sunset7:34 PM
   3. Head back7:49 PM
   4. At your car7:51 PM
   5. Dark8:00 PM

   Back at your car by 7:51 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

10. Natural Bridges Rock Arch–Natural Bridges State Beach Viewpoint, 4 viewpoints 26.7 mi away

    Leave by 6:43 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:43 PM
    2. Sunset7:34 PM
    3. Head back7:49 PM
    4. At your car8:19 PM
    5. Dark8:00 PM

    Back at your car by 8:19 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 61 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

11. Aptos Creek Road 26.8 mi away

    Be there by 7:14 PM

    1. Be there7:14 PM
    2. Sunset7:34 PM
    3. Dark8:00 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 8:00 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

12. 6 mile trail loop 27.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:01 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:01 PM
    2. Sunset7:33 PM
    3. Head back7:48 PM
    4. At your car8:47 PM
    5. Dark8:00 PM

    Back at your car by 8:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.2 mi to the viewpoint · 640 ft climb · 132 min of walking