AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Sunset hikes near Santa Cruz, 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.

6 of 12 spots
  1. Point Santa Cruz–2222 Beach, 3 beaches 1 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

  2. 2222 Beach & West Cliff Multipurpose Cycleway 1 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

  3. Sharpe Overlook & 2222 Beach via West Cliff Multipurpose Cycleway 1.2 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

  4. Prairie Viewpoint–Chuck Beebe Scenic Bench, 9 sights 1.2 mi away

    Leave by 4:55 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:55 PM
    2. Sunset7:34 PM
    3. Head back7:49 PM
    4. At your car9:37 PM
    5. Dark8:00 PM

    Back at your car by 9:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    4.4 mi to the viewpoint · 1040 ft climb · 247 min of walking

  5. Natural Bridges Rock Arch–Natural Bridges State Beach Viewpoint, 4 viewpoints 1.5 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

  6. Horse Trough Spring–Chuck Beebe Scenic Bench, 11 sights 1.6 mi away

    Leave by 4:59 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:59 PM
    2. Sunset7:34 PM
    3. Head back7:49 PM
    4. At your car9:47 PM
    5. Dark8:00 PM

    Back at your car by 9:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    4.5 mi to the viewpoint · 820 ft climb · 253 min of walking

  7. Moore Creek Trail 2.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:46 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:46 PM
    2. Sunset7:34 PM
    3. Head back7:49 PM
    4. At your car8:20 PM
    5. Dark8:00 PM

    Back at your car by 8:20 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 59 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

  8. Prairie View Trail 2.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:41 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:41 PM
    2. Sunset7:34 PM
    3. Head back7:49 PM
    4. At your car8:28 PM
    5. Dark8:01 PM

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

    1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 72 min of walking

  9. The Triangle–Arboretum Pond, 5 sights 2.3 mi away

    Leave by 7:13 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:13 PM
    2. Sunset7:34 PM
    3. Head back7:49 PM
    4. At your car7:50 PM
    5. Dark8:01 PM

    Back at your car by 7:50 PM — 11 min before dark.

    0.0 mi to the viewpoint · 2 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

  10. Arboretum Pond & Prairie View Trail 2.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:35 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:35 PM
    2. Sunset7:34 PM
    3. Head back7:49 PM
    4. At your car8:32 PM
    5. Dark8:01 PM

    Back at your car by 8:32 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 82 min of walking

  11. Prairie View Trail–UCSC Connector/Cave Gulch, 3 sights 2.4 mi away

    Leave by 7:11 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:11 PM
    2. Sunset7:34 PM
    3. Head back7:49 PM
    4. At your car7:53 PM
    5. Dark8:01 PM

    Back at your car by 7:53 PM — 8 min before dark.

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 7 min of walking

  12. Long Meadow Trail–Prairie View Trail, 4 sights 2.4 mi away

    Leave by 7:08 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:08 PM
    2. Sunset7:34 PM
    3. Head back7:49 PM
    4. At your car7:53 PM
    5. Dark8:00 PM

    Back at your car by 7:53 PM — 8 min before dark.

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 9 min of walking