Sunset hikes near Twin Lakes, 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. Point Santa Cruz–2222 Beach, 3 beaches 1.9 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 1.9 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 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. Natural Bridges Rock Arch–Natural Bridges State Beach Viewpoint, 4 viewpoints 2.9 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

5. West Cliff Multipurpose Cycleway 1.9 mi away

   Leave by 7:08 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:08 PM
   2. Sunset7:34 PM
   3. Head back7:49 PM
   4. At your car7:55 PM
   5. Dark8:00 PM

   Back at your car by 7:55 PM — 5 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 12 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

6. Horseback Hill–Prairie Viewpoint, 10 sights 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 — 9 min before dark.

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

7. Moore Creek Trail 4.4 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 4.4 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. Arboretum Pond & Prairie View Trail 4.6 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

10. Long Meadow Trail–Prairie View Trail, 4 sights 4.6 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

11. The Triangle–Arboretum Pond, 5 sights 4.6 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

12. Upper Quarry–Camper Park, 3 sights 4.7 mi away

    Be there by 7:14 PM

    1. Be there7:14 PM
    2. Sunset7:34 PM
    3. Dark8:01 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 8:01 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

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