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. Wilder Ranch–Aloe Vera Forts, 8 beaches 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 7:43 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:43 PM
   2. Sunset8:14 PM
   3. Head back8:29 PM
   4. At your car8:40 PM
   5. Dark8:42 PM

   Back at your car by 8:40 PM — 2 min before dark.

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

2. Ocean View–Strawberry Beach, 5 beaches 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:43 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:43 PM
   2. Sunset8:14 PM
   3. Head back8:29 PM
   4. At your car8:40 PM
   5. Dark8:42 PM

   Back at your car by 8:40 PM — 2 min before dark.

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

3. Wilder Ranch State Park Beach–Fern Grotto Beach, 4 beaches 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 7:14 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:14 PM
   2. Sunset8:14 PM
   3. Head back8:29 PM
   4. At your car9:09 PM
   5. Dark8:42 PM

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

   1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 79 min of walking

4. 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

5. 2222 Beach & West Cliff Multipurpose Cycleway 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

6. Sharpe Overlook & 2222 Beach via West Cliff Multipurpose Cycleway 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

7. Natural Bridges Rock Arch–Natural Bridges State Beach Viewpoint, 4 viewpoints 0.4 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

8. Long Meadow Trail–Prairie View Trail, 4 sights 2.3 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

9. Upper Quarry–Camper Park, 7 sights 2.3 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

10. Prairie View Trail–UCSC Connector/Cave Gulch, 3 sights 2.3 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

11. Horse Trough Spring–Chuck Beebe Scenic Bench, 10 sights 2.4 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

12. Upper Moore Creek Natural Reserve–Camper Park, 6 sights 2.7 mi away

    Leave by 7:21 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:21 PM
    2. Sunset8:14 PM
    3. Head back8:29 PM
    4. At your car8:52 PM
    5. Dark8:42 PM

    Back at your car by 8:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 300 ft climb · 56 min of walking

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