Clocks go back November 1, and these three West Coast sunset spots are each a short walk from the parking lot

The clocks fall back on Sunday, November 1, and that one lost hour will ruin more sunsets than any storm. The fix is a viewpoint you can reach in minutes, so you’re not racing the light down a trail in the dark.

Here are three West Coast sunset stops, one in each state, that ask for a short walk and not much else.

---

Psst, we made you a West Coast Adventure Map. Nearly 1,900 of our favorite spots, already pinned, ready to load into Google Maps in two clicks: grab it here.

---

Cape Kiwanda, Oregon

Pacific City’s Cape Kiwanda has the best sunset-per-step ratio on the Oregon coast, and I’ll defend that. The trail is only about 0.7 miles with roughly 190 feet of climbing, so you’ll breathe hard on the Great Dune but nothing brutal.

From the top, the view sweeps across Pacific City, Cape Lookout, and Haystack Rock, with the open Pacific out front. Stay on the marked path and behind any fencing, since sand and cliff edges shift, and check Oregon State Parks for current conditions before you go.

Ruby Beach, Washington

Ruby Beach in Olympic National Park is about 735 feet from the trailhead to the sand, which is basically a driveway. The path is steep near the top, then you climb over driftwood logs to reach the sea stacks and tide pools.

Winter storm swells can shove those logs around, so conditions where the trail meets the beach change. Check a tide chart before you head down, and give yourself time to get back over the driftwood while there’s still light.

Mount Tamalpais East Peak, California

Want a sunset you can practically drive to? East Peak on Mount Tamalpais has a paved 0.7-mile loop, the Verna Dunshee Trail, circling the summit with views of San Francisco, the Bay Bridge, Angel Island, and the Pacific.

A rocky spur adds about 0.3 miles each way toward the Gardner Fire Lookout, roughly 1.5 miles round trip with around 300 feet of climbing. The lookout itself is closed to hikers, but the boulders nearby make a fine seat.

The loop is exposed, with steep drop-offs and not every stretch has a guardrail, so keep your distance from the edge. A headlamp is my go-to for the walk back.

How to make the most of the early dark

My rule: be in position at least 45 minutes before sunset and stay for the color after the sun drops. The best light often shows up once everyone else has headed to their cars.

Which of the three are you chasing first? Tell us where you’ll be watching the light go on November 1.

Trip tips: grab a rental car to get out here, lock in your hotel before the good rooms are gone, or skip both and book a camper van instead.