Sunset hikes

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.

5 of 12 spots

Point Santa Cruz–2222 Beach, 3 beaches 0 mi away

Leave by 6:47 PM
1. Leave trailhead6:47 PM
2. Sunset7:08 PM
3. Head back7:23 PM
4. At your car7:25 PM
5. Dark7:34 PM
Best color fades by ~

Back at your car by 7:25 PM — 9 min before dark.

0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint
2222 Beach & West Cliff Multipurpose Cycleway 0 mi away

Leave by 6:47 PM
1. Leave trailhead6:47 PM
2. Sunset7:08 PM
3. Head back7:23 PM
4. At your car7:25 PM
5. Dark7:34 PM
Best color fades by ~

Back at your car by 7:25 PM — 9 min before dark.

0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint
Sharpe Overlook & 2222 Beach via West Cliff Multipurpose Cycleway 0 mi away

Leave by 6:47 PM
1. Leave trailhead6:47 PM
2. Sunset7:08 PM
3. Head back7:23 PM
4. At your car7:25 PM
5. Dark7:34 PM
Best color fades by ~

Back at your car by 7:25 PM — 9 min before dark.

0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint
Natural Bridges Rock Arch–Natural Bridges State Beach Viewpoint, 4 viewpoints 0.5 mi away

Leave by 6:17 PM
1. Leave trailhead6:17 PM
2. Sunset7:08 PM
3. Head back7:23 PM
4. At your car7:53 PM
5. Dark7:34 PM
Best color fades by ~

Back at your car by 7:53 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 61 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint
Moore Creek Trail 2.3 mi away

Leave by 6:20 PM
1. Leave trailhead6:20 PM
2. Sunset7:08 PM
3. Head back7:23 PM
4. At your car7:54 PM
5. Dark7:34 PM
Best color fades by ~

Back at your car by 7:54 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 59 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint
Prairie View Trail 2.3 mi away

Leave by 6:15 PM
1. Leave trailhead6:15 PM
2. Sunset7:08 PM
3. Head back7:23 PM
4. At your car8:02 PM
5. Dark7:34 PM
Best color fades by ~

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

1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 72 min of walking
Arboretum Pond & Prairie View Trail 2.4 mi away

Leave by 6:10 PM
1. Leave trailhead6:10 PM
2. Sunset7:08 PM
3. Head back7:23 PM
4. At your car8:06 PM
5. Dark7:34 PM
Best color fades by ~

Back at your car by 8:06 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 82 min of walking
Upper Quarry–Camper Park, 7 sights 2.4 mi away

Leave by 5:37 PM
1. Leave trailhead5:37 PM
2. Sunset7:08 PM
3. Head back7:23 PM
4. At your car8:22 PM
5. Dark7:34 PM
Best color fades by ~

Back at your car by 8:22 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

2.4 mi to the viewpoint · 410 ft climb · 130 min of walking
Prairie View Trail–UCSC Connector/Cave Gulch, 3 sights 2.4 mi away

Leave by 6:45 PM
1. Leave trailhead6:45 PM
2. Sunset7:08 PM
3. Head back7:23 PM
4. At your car7:27 PM
5. Dark7:34 PM
Best color fades by ~

Back at your car by 7:27 PM — 7 min before dark.

0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 7 min of walking
Long Meadow Trail–Prairie View Trail, 4 sights 2.4 mi away

Leave by 6:42 PM
1. Leave trailhead6:42 PM
2. Sunset7:08 PM
3. Head back7:23 PM
4. At your car7:27 PM
5. Dark7:34 PM
Best color fades by ~

Back at your car by 7:27 PM — 7 min before dark.

0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 9 min of walking
Chuck Beebe Scenic Bench–Dodero Spring, 8 sights 2.4 mi away

Leave by 4:20 PM
1. Leave trailhead4:20 PM
2. Sunset7:08 PM
3. Head back7:23 PM
4. At your car9:27 PM
5. Dark7:34 PM
Best color fades by ~

Back at your car by 9:27 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

5.1 mi to the viewpoint · 830 ft climb · 272 min of walking
Prairie Viewpoint–Chuck Beebe Scenic Bench, 9 sights 2.7 mi away

Leave by 4:29 PM
1. Leave trailhead4:29 PM
2. Sunset7:08 PM
3. Head back7:23 PM
4. At your car9:12 PM
5. Dark7:34 PM
Best color fades by ~

Back at your car by 9:12 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

Sunset hikes

This week’s evenings