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. Dewies/Birthday–Dewies, 3 sights 1.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:55 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:55 PM
   2. Sunset8:15 PM
   3. Head back8:30 PM
   4. At your car9:07 PM
   5. Dark8:44 PM

   Back at your car by 9:07 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 780 ft climb · 98 min of walking

2. Vail Peak–Chamise Trail, 3 sights 1.9 mi away

   Leave by 7:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:24 PM
   2. Sunset8:15 PM
   3. Head back8:30 PM
   4. At your car8:46 PM
   5. Dark8:44 PM

   Back at your car by 8:46 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 520 ft climb · 47 min of walking

3. Chamise Trail–Las Trampas Ridge / Calaveras Ridge Trail, 3 sights 1.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:40 PM
   2. Sunset8:15 PM
   3. Head back8:30 PM
   4. At your car9:24 PM
   5. Dark8:44 PM

   Back at your car by 9:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 930 ft climb · 129 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

4. Sugarloaf Hill–Buckeye Ravine Viewpoint, 9 sights 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 7:52 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:52 PM
   2. Sunset8:15 PM
   3. Head back8:30 PM
   4. At your car8:32 PM
   5. Dark8:44 PM

   Back at your car by 8:32 PM — 12 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 5 min of walking

5. Artist Point–Holey Rock, 6 sights 2.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:29 PM
   2. Sunset8:15 PM
   3. Head back8:30 PM
   4. At your car8:48 PM
   5. Dark8:44 PM

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

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 270 ft climb · 44 min of walking

6. Sentinel Rock–Briones to Mt. Diablo Regional Trail, 3 sights 2.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:28 PM
   2. Sunset8:15 PM
   3. Head back8:30 PM
   4. At your car8:48 PM
   5. Dark8:44 PM

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

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 290 ft climb · 45 min of walking

7. Eagle Peak–Vail Peak, 4 summits 2.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:23 PM
   2. Sunset8:15 PM
   3. Head back8:30 PM
   4. At your car8:49 PM
   5. Dark8:44 PM

   Back at your car by 8:49 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 480 ft climb · 52 min of walking

8. Holey Rock–Borges Ranch Trail, 7 sights 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 7:02 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:02 PM
   2. Sunset8:15 PM
   3. Head back8:30 PM
   4. At your car9:13 PM
   5. Dark8:44 PM

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

   1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 450 ft climb · 96 min of walking

9. China Wall Road via Briones to Mt. Diablo Regional Trail 2.6 mi away

   Leave by 7:41 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:41 PM
   2. Sunset8:15 PM
   3. Head back8:30 PM
   4. At your car8:42 PM
   5. Dark8:44 PM

   Back at your car by 8:42 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 110 ft climb · 26 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

10. Bollinger Creek Loop Trail–Las Trampas Ridge & Calaveras Ridge Trail, 3 sights 2.7 mi away

    Leave by 7:03 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:03 PM
    2. Sunset8:15 PM
    3. Head back8:30 PM
    4. At your car9:08 PM
    5. Dark8:44 PM

    Back at your car by 9:08 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 500 ft climb · 90 min of walking

11. Las Trampas Peak–Bollinger Creek Loop Trail, 5 sights 2.8 mi away

    Leave by 7:43 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:43 PM
    2. Sunset8:15 PM
    3. Head back8:30 PM
    4. At your car8:37 PM
    5. Dark8:44 PM

    Back at your car by 8:37 PM — 7 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 190 ft climb · 19 min of walking

12. Bollinger Creek Loop Trail & Elderberry Trail 2.8 mi away

    Leave by 6:46 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:46 PM
    2. Sunset8:15 PM
    3. Head back8:30 PM
    4. At your car9:11 PM
    5. Dark8:44 PM

    Back at your car by 9:11 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.7 mi to the viewpoint · 970 ft climb · 110 min of walking