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. Holiday Trail & Wally World via Barking Dogs 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 7:53 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:53 PM
   2. Sunset8:15 PM
   3. Head back8:30 PM
   4. At your car8:32 PM
   5. Dark8:43 PM

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

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

2. Point Santa Cruz–2222 Beach, 3 beaches 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 7:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:47 PM
   2. Sunset8:14 PM
   3. Head back8:29 PM
   4. At your car8:37 PM
   5. Dark8:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:37 PM — 6 min before dark.

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

3. 2222 Beach & West Cliff Multipurpose Cycleway 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 7:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:47 PM
   2. Sunset8:14 PM
   3. Head back8:29 PM
   4. At your car8:37 PM
   5. Dark8:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:37 PM — 6 min before dark.

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

4. Sharpe Overlook & 2222 Beach via West Cliff Multipurpose Cycleway 2.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:47 PM
   2. Sunset8:14 PM
   3. Head back8:29 PM
   4. At your car8:37 PM
   5. Dark8:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:37 PM — 6 min before dark.

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

5. Natural Bridges Rock Arch–Natural Bridges State Beach Viewpoint, 4 viewpoints 2.6 mi away

   Leave by 7:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:32 PM
   2. Sunset8:14 PM
   3. Head back8:29 PM
   4. At your car8:51 PM
   5. Dark8:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

6. Horse Trough Spring–Chuck Beebe Scenic Bench, 10 sights 0.7 mi away

   Leave by 7:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:26 PM
   2. Sunset8:15 PM
   3. Head back8:30 PM
   4. At your car9:00 PM
   5. Dark8:43 PM

   Back at your car by 9:00 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

7. Arboretum Pond–Camper Park, 6 sights 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 7:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:20 PM
   2. Sunset8:15 PM
   3. Head back8:30 PM
   4. At your car8:56 PM
   5. Dark8:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:56 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 300 ft climb · 60 min of walking

8. Prairie View Trail–UCSC Connector/Cave Gulch, 3 sights 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 7:53 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:53 PM
   2. Sunset8:15 PM
   3. Head back8:30 PM
   4. At your car8:31 PM
   5. Dark8:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:31 PM — 12 min before dark.

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

9. Chinquapin Trail–Holiday Trail Loop, 3 sights 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 7:46 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:46 PM
   2. Sunset8:15 PM
   3. Head back8:30 PM
   4. At your car8:38 PM
   5. Dark8:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:38 PM — 5 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 17 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

10. Chinquapin Trail–Mailboxes, 4 sights 3.3 mi away

    Leave by 7:47 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:47 PM
    2. Sunset8:15 PM
    3. Head back8:30 PM
    4. At your car8:41 PM
    5. Dark8:43 PM

    Back at your car by 8:41 PM — 3 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 19 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

11. 44 Logs & Red Hill Road via Camper Park 1.7 mi away

    Leave by 7:19 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:19 PM
    2. Sunset8:15 PM
    3. Head back8:30 PM
    4. At your car8:59 PM
    5. Dark8:43 PM

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

    1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 270 ft climb · 65 min of walking

12. Moore Creek Trail 2.2 mi away

    Leave by 7:26 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:26 PM
    2. Sunset8:14 PM
    3. Head back8:29 PM
    4. At your car9:01 PM
    5. Dark8:43 PM

    Back at your car by 9:01 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

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