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. 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

   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

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

   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

3. 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

   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

4. 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

   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

5. Arboretum Pond & Prairie View Trail 1 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

   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

6. Long Meadow Trail–Prairie View Trail, 4 sights 1 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

   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

7. Prairie View Trail 1.1 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

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

   1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 72 min of walking

8. Moore Creek Trail 1.1 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

   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

9. Wilder Ranch State Park Beach–Fern Grotto Beach, 4 beaches 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car7:39 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 7:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 31 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

10. Wilder Ranch–Aloe Vera Forts, 8 beaches 1.7 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

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

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

11. Ocean View–Strawberry Beach, 5 beaches 1.7 mi away

    Leave by 6:46 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:46 PM
    2. Sunset7:08 PM
    3. Head back7:23 PM
    4. At your car7:25 PM
    5. Dark7:34 PM

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

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

12. The Triangle–Arboretum Pond, 5 sights 2.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:47 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:47 PM
    2. Sunset7:08 PM
    3. Head back7:23 PM
    4. At your car7:24 PM
    5. Dark7:34 PM

    Back at your car by 7:24 PM — 10 min before dark.

    0.0 mi to the viewpoint · 2 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

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