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. Prairie Viewpoint–Chuck Beebe Scenic Bench, 9 sights 3.1 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Horse Trough Spring–Chuck Beebe Scenic Bench, 11 sights 3.7 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

9. Chuck Beebe Scenic Bench–Broncos, 6 sights 4.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:06 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:06 PM
   2. Sunset7:34 PM
   3. Head back7:49 PM
   4. At your car8:48 PM
   5. Dark8:00 PM

   Back at your car by 8:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.4 mi to the viewpoint · 330 ft climb · 127 min of walking

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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