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.

1. Three Mile Beach–Strawberry Beach, 6 beaches 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:42 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:42 PM
   2. Sunset8:15 PM
   3. Head back8:30 PM
   4. At your car9:42 PM
   5. Dark8:43 PM

   Back at your car by 9:42 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 146 min of walking

2. Four Mile Beach–Three Mile Beach, 8 beaches 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:35 PM
   2. Sunset8:15 PM
   3. Head back8:30 PM
   4. At your car9:50 PM
   5. Dark8:43 PM

   Back at your car by 9:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.2 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 159 min of walking

3. Wilder Ranch–Aloe Vera Forts, 8 beaches 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:44 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:44 PM
   2. Sunset8:15 PM
   3. Head back8:30 PM
   4. At your car8:41 PM
   5. Dark8:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:41 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 21 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

4. Ocean View–Strawberry Beach, 5 beaches 3.5 mi away

   Leave by 7:44 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:44 PM
   2. Sunset8:15 PM
   3. Head back8:30 PM
   4. At your car8:41 PM
   5. Dark8:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:41 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 21 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

5. Wilder Ranch State Park Beach–Fern Grotto Beach, 4 beaches 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:15 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:15 PM
   2. Sunset8:15 PM
   3. Head back8:30 PM
   4. At your car9:09 PM
   5. Dark8:43 PM

   Back at your car by 9:09 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 79 min of walking

6. The Triangle–Arboretum Pond, 7 sights 3 mi away

   Leave by 6:13 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:13 PM
   2. Sunset8:15 PM
   3. Head back8:30 PM
   4. At your car9:49 PM
   5. Dark8:43 PM

   Back at your car by 9:49 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.3 mi to the viewpoint · 750 ft climb · 181 min of walking

7. Chinquapin Trail–Long Meadow Trail Loop, 6 sights 3 mi away

   Leave by 6:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:20 PM
   2. Sunset8:15 PM
   3. Head back8:30 PM
   4. At your car9:44 PM
   5. Dark8:43 PM

   Back at your car by 9:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 680 ft climb · 169 min of walking

8. Overlook & Cowboy Loop Trail via Wilder Ridge Loop 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:49 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:49 PM
   2. Sunset8:15 PM
   3. Head back8:30 PM
   4. At your car9:23 PM
   5. Dark8:43 PM

   Back at your car by 9:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.1 mi to the viewpoint · 480 ft climb · 119 min of walking

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

   Leave by 7:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:47 PM
   2. Sunset8:14 PM
   3. Head back8:29 PM
   4. At your car8:37 PM
   5. Dark8:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:37 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 14 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

10. 2222 Beach & West Cliff Multipurpose Cycleway 0 mi away

    Leave by 7:47 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:47 PM
    2. Sunset8:14 PM
    3. Head back8:29 PM
    4. At your car8:37 PM
    5. Dark8:43 PM

    Back at your car by 8:37 PM — 6 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 14 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

11. Sharpe Overlook & 2222 Beach via West Cliff Multipurpose Cycleway 0 mi away

    Leave by 7:47 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:47 PM
    2. Sunset8:14 PM
    3. Head back8:29 PM
    4. At your car8:37 PM
    5. Dark8:43 PM

    Back at your car by 8:37 PM — 6 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 14 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

12. Natural Bridges Rock Arch–Natural Bridges State Beach Viewpoint, 4 viewpoints 0.5 mi away

    Leave by 7:32 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:32 PM
    2. Sunset8:14 PM
    3. Head back8:29 PM
    4. At your car8:51 PM
    5. Dark8:43 PM

    Back at your car by 8:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 43 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint