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. The Triangle–Arboretum Pond, 7 sights 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:12 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:12 PM
   2. Sunset8:14 PM
   3. Head back8:29 PM
   4. At your car9:48 PM
   5. Dark8:42 PM

   Back at your car by 9:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

2. Chinquapin Trail–Long Meadow Trail Loop, 6 sights 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:19 PM
   2. Sunset8:14 PM
   3. Head back8:29 PM
   4. At your car9:43 PM
   5. Dark8:42 PM

   Back at your car by 9:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

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

   Leave by 7:46 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:46 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car8:36 PM
   5. Dark8:42 PM

   Back at your car by 8:36 PM — 6 min before dark.

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

4. 2222 Beach & West Cliff Multipurpose Cycleway 0.1 mi away

   Leave by 7:46 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:46 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car8:36 PM
   5. Dark8:42 PM

   Back at your car by 8:36 PM — 6 min before dark.

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

5. Sharpe Overlook & 2222 Beach via West Cliff Multipurpose Cycleway 0.1 mi away

   Leave by 7:46 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:46 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car8:36 PM
   5. Dark8:42 PM

   Back at your car by 8:36 PM — 6 min before dark.

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

6. Natural Bridges Rock Arch–Natural Bridges State Beach Viewpoint, 4 viewpoints 0.7 mi away

   Leave by 7:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:31 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car8:50 PM
   5. Dark8:42 PM

   Back at your car by 8:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

7. Chuck Beebe Scenic Bench–Dodero Spring, 8 sights 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:00 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:00 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car10:01 PM
   5. Dark8:42 PM

   Back at your car by 10:01 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.8 mi to the viewpoint · 730 ft climb · 206 min of walking

8. Horse Trough Spring–Chuck Beebe Scenic Bench, 10 sights 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 7:25 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:25 PM
   2. Sunset8:14 PM
   3. Head back8:29 PM
   4. At your car8:59 PM
   5. Dark8:42 PM

   Back at your car by 8:59 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 59 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

9. Long Meadow Trail–Prairie View Trail, 4 sights 2.6 mi away

   Leave by 7:36 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:36 PM
   2. Sunset8:14 PM
   3. Head back8:29 PM
   4. At your car8:50 PM
   5. Dark8:42 PM

   Back at your car by 8:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 40 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

10. Upper Quarry–Camper Park, 7 sights 2.6 mi away

    Leave by 7:15 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:15 PM
    2. Sunset8:14 PM
    3. Head back8:29 PM
    4. At your car8:57 PM
    5. Dark8:42 PM

    Back at your car by 8:57 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 330 ft climb · 68 min of walking

11. Prairie View Trail–UCSC Connector/Cave Gulch, 3 sights 2.6 mi away

    Leave by 7:52 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:52 PM
    2. Sunset8:14 PM
    3. Head back8:29 PM
    4. At your car8:30 PM
    5. Dark8:42 PM

    Back at your car by 8:30 PM — 12 min before dark.

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 3 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

12. Prairie Viewpoint–Chuck Beebe Scenic Bench, 9 sights 2.7 mi away

    Leave by 6:07 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:07 PM
    2. Sunset8:13 PM
    3. Head back8:28 PM
    4. At your car9:47 PM
    5. Dark8:42 PM

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

    3.2 mi to the viewpoint · 950 ft climb · 185 min of walking