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. Overlook–Horseman's Trail, 3 sights 2.8 mi away

   Be there by 7:55 PM

   1. Be there7:55 PM
   2. Sunset8:15 PM
   3. Dark8:43 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:43 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

2. Ridge Loop–Wilder Ridge Loop, 3 sights 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 7:46 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:46 PM
   2. Sunset8:15 PM
   3. Head back8:30 PM
   4. At your car8:37 PM
   5. Dark8:43 PM

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

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 15 min of walking

3. Eagle Viewpoint–Baldwin Loop, 3 sights 3 mi away

   Leave by 7:50 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:50 PM
   2. Sunset8:15 PM
   3. Head back8:30 PM
   4. At your car8:33 PM
   5. Dark8:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:33 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 8 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

4. Barking Dogs 3.4 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

5. Dimeo Lane & Eucalyptus Loop 2 mi away

   Leave by 7:15 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:15 PM
   2. Sunset8:15 PM
   3. Head back8:30 PM
   4. At your car9:03 PM
   5. Dark8:43 PM

   Back at your car by 9:03 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 280 ft climb · 74 min of walking

6. Point Santa Cruz & 2222 Beach via West Cliff Multipurpose Cycleway 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:39 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:39 PM
   2. Sunset8:14 PM
   3. Head back8:29 PM
   4. At your car8:45 PM
   5. Dark8:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:45 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 31 min of walking

7. Sharpe Overlook–Point Santa Cruz, 3 beaches 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:39 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:39 PM
   2. Sunset8:14 PM
   3. Head back8:29 PM
   4. At your car8:45 PM
   5. Dark8:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:45 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 31 min of walking

8. 2222 Beach via West Cliff Multipurpose Cycleway 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:22 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:22 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.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 64 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

9. Arboretum Pond–Camper Park, 6 sights 0.2 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

10. Horse Trough Spring–Chuck Beebe Scenic Bench, 10 sights 0.2 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

11. Chinquapin Trail–Holiday Trail Loop, 3 sights 1.5 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

12. Prairie View Trail–UCSC Connector/Cave Gulch, 3 sights 1.5 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

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