Look on the Bright Side
Winter sunsets get a glowing review in California, whether you're watching one from a sand dune surrounded by mountains or pedaling your bike down by the sea. Here are some of the best hikes, bike rides, and viewpoints for catching one of nature's best light shows.
Hawk-Eyed Sunset
Sunset Hike at Hawk Hill in the Marin Headlands
It's one of the best sunset spots in the Bay Area. Hawk Hill in the Marin Headlands is magical, with a sweeping panorama 923 feet above the Pacific.
Read the full storyRise and Shine in Camarillo
Visit Camarillo for a Mix of Outdoor Bliss and Urban Comforts
Camarillo shines in more ways than one—including nearly year-round sun. Bathed in a Mediterranean climate and surrounded by agricultural “charmland”—especially wineries and vineyards—Camarillo is the perfect blend of outdoor bliss and urban comforts.
Plan Your Camarillo GetawayRide and Seek
Bike the Coastal Trail to Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay
Oceanside breezes, beautiful beaches, a car-free pathway for biking, and beer at the end: You’re on a roll! The San Mateo Coast was made for beach hopping and beer tasting … and it all goes down smooth as part of an 8-mile out-and-back bike ride.
Read the full storyDune Swoon
Sunset at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park
Of all the places to catch a sunset in Death Valley, we still think there’s none better than the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, inspiring many things, including log rolls, cartwheels, and sundown selfies.
Read the full storyBernal Desire
Sunset Hike at Bernal Heights Park in San Francisco
It's one of the best views in San Francisco. Bernal Heights Park is an underrated hilltop park that simply beams at sunset, with views of downtown SF, the Golden Gate, and the Bay Bridge.
Read the full storyBike to the Brews and Views
Alameda Bike Ride from Crown Memorial Beach to Breweries
An island city on San Francisco Bay, Alameda is home to a craft beer and spirits boom that has a firm foothold in its industrial westside. Ride your bike from Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach to Faction Brewing.
Read the full storyGone With the Windy
Watch a sunset at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve in Portola Valley
You don’t have to trek far to enjoy a hiker’s high at Windy Hill Preserve on the Peninsula. Its panoramic attraction is easily accessed via the 0.7-mile Anniversary Trail, and it’s magnificent at sunset.
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