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. Natural Bridges Rock Arch–Natural Bridges State Beach Viewpoint, 4 viewpoints 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:19 PM
   2. Sunset7:10 PM
   3. Head back7:25 PM
   4. At your car7:55 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:55 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 61 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

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

   Leave by 6:48 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:48 PM
   2. Sunset7:10 PM
   3. Head back7:25 PM
   4. At your car7:26 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:26 PM — 9 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

3. 2222 Beach & West Cliff Multipurpose Cycleway 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:48 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:48 PM
   2. Sunset7:10 PM
   3. Head back7:25 PM
   4. At your car7:26 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:26 PM — 9 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

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

   Leave by 6:48 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:48 PM
   2. Sunset7:10 PM
   3. Head back7:25 PM
   4. At your car7:26 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:26 PM — 9 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

5. Moore Creek Trail 1.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:22 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:22 PM
   2. Sunset7:10 PM
   3. Head back7:25 PM
   4. At your car7:56 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:56 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 59 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

6. Prairie View Trail 1.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:16 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:16 PM
   2. Sunset7:10 PM
   3. Head back7:25 PM
   4. At your car8:04 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 8:04 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 72 min of walking

7. Arboretum Pond & Prairie View Trail 1.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:11 PM
   2. Sunset7:10 PM
   3. Head back7:25 PM
   4. At your car8:08 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 8:08 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 82 min of walking

8. Prairie View Trail–UCSC Connector/Cave Gulch, 3 sights 1.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:47 PM
   2. Sunset7:10 PM
   3. Head back7:25 PM
   4. At your car7:29 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:29 PM — 7 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 7 min of walking

9. Long Meadow Trail–Prairie View Trail, 4 sights 1.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:44 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:44 PM
   2. Sunset7:10 PM
   3. Head back7:25 PM
   4. At your car7:28 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:28 PM — 7 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 9 min of walking

10. Upper Moore Creek Natural Reserve–Camper Park, 6 sights 2.3 mi away

    Leave by 5:45 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:45 PM
    2. Sunset7:10 PM
    3. Head back7:25 PM
    4. At your car8:19 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 8:19 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.2 mi to the viewpoint · 370 ft climb · 119 min of walking

11. Prairie Viewpoint–Chuck Beebe Scenic Bench, 9 sights 2.6 mi away

    Leave by 4:31 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:31 PM
    2. Sunset7:10 PM
    3. Head back7:25 PM
    4. At your car9:13 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 9:13 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

12. Horse Trough Spring–Chuck Beebe Scenic Bench, 11 sights 2.6 mi away

    Leave by 4:35 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:35 PM
    2. Sunset7:10 PM
    3. Head back7:25 PM
    4. At your car9:22 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 9:22 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    4.5 mi to the viewpoint · 820 ft climb · 253 min of walking