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The fading light of day usually signals the end of recreation time at open space preserves, parks and other public outdoor spaces that shut from sunset to sunrise.
But on select evenings, golden hour gives way to moonlight as guides lead hikers around Peninsula properties for special events teaching participants about the land’s ecology, animals and even artwork installations.
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and nonprofits Filoli and Djerassi Resident Artists Program are among the local organizations offering sunset and night hikes this summer and fall.
As the sun continues to set past 8 p.m. heading into mid-August, the lingering light and warmer weather make it easier to find time to head outdoors. Exercising at the end of the day means a better chance of catching the sunset and getting outside when temperatures are cooler, along with proven health benefits.
The special nighttime excursions also give attendees the chance to access areas that aren’t otherwise open to the public at that point in the evening – or at all. They also learn about – and sometimes encounter – creatures that emerge when it’s dark out, from moths and bats to owls.
“Over 50% of the planet’s animals are nocturnal and do most of their activity at night,” said Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District interpretive specialist Katie Renz. “As humans who are diurnal and sleep at night and are up during the day, we do miss out on a lot of that. To have this safe environment with people who are trained – you’re with other people, so a lot of times we have a lot of fear about the night and the dark, and I think this can kind of alleviate that in a guided, safe way.”
Midpen offers 80 hikes largely during the daytime each season as part of its docent naturalist program founded in 1977. Docent-led night hikes have been organized for “many years,” according to Ryan McCauley, public affairs specialist for Midpen. All hikes include at least two docents, with one leading and one in the back of the group. Docent naturalists are trained and know the preserves well.
Midpen’s hikes are free, although some require preregistration. Most events on Midpen’s website note whether they’re family-friendly, but prospective attendees are encouraged to reach out if they’re not sure whether an event would be suitable for their child. Evening events so far this summer have included a full moon hike to the summit of Black Mountain at Monte Bello Open Space Preserve in Los Altos, Bat Sit & Spot at Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve in Los Gatos and a dusk hike at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve in La Honda.
“So much activity takes place in the evening or at night, and we don’t necessarily know what to look for. So it’s really nice to have someone pointing you in the direction to see something, and then you start seeing it everywhere,” Renz said.
“It kind of gives you something to look forward to at the end of the day – something to stimulate your brain, get your body moving, get in the fresh, cool air, meet new people, learn new things,” she added. “After going through the day in the office or doing errands, I think it can just be a really nice way and new way to experience things.”
Evening walks also avoid potentially high daytime temperatures that can pose safety risks for exercising in the summer, Renz said. And research shows that walking after a meal can improve digestion and lower blood sugar, and an after-dinner stroll in particular can decrease stress before bedtime. Being exposed to darkness also signals to your body that it’s time to produce melatonin, which helps regulate sleep and other bodily functions.
In some cases, Midpen’s nighttime programming has also helped people overcome their fear of the dark or nighttime critters. Docents have shined UV flashlights on scorpions and attracted moths with lights to photograph and identify them.
“I’ve had feedback saying, ‘You know, I was really afraid of moths, but I decided to go to this and now it opened up a whole new world of curiosity to me and I’m no longer afraid.’ I think that almost psychological aspect is really valuable for people as well,” Renz said.
And for those interested in pairing a sunset hike with a sunrise excursion, Midpen will begin offering a docent-led sunrise hike starting this month.
“In those moments in the early dawn and late dusk, I feel like there’s a moment where everything goes still – it’s sort of magical and serene,” McCauley said.
Over in Woodside, Filoli is hosting its second year of sunset hikes to complement Summer Nights, its seasonal after-hours series on Wednesday and Thursday nights featuring live acoustic music, picnicking, local food trucks and garden strolls. (This year, Summer Nights also includes access to the “Trolls: Save the Humans” exhibit, although only some of the trolls are accessible on sunset hikes.)
The sunset hikes were extended last year due to their popularity, and in 2025 they’ve doubled to twice a week. The 90-minute, 2-mile guided hikes, which are $75 each, include admission to Filoli’s Summer Nights and cover portions of the estate that aren’t typically open to the public.
“There’s areas of our natural lands that aren’t typically open to the public, whether during regular hours or not,” said Filoli public events manager MacKenzie Persen. “During these sunset hikes, we take folks off the beaten trail and we take them to these behind-the-scenes areas that they get to see and experience.”
Filoli’s sunset hikes typically include 15 participants and two guides who are trained Filoli staff members. The hikes cover uneven terrain and are considered moderate, but there is no age limit, Persen said. If a participant has mobility concerns or doesn’t want to experience a portion of the hike, docents can reroute them or let them linger while the rest of the group continues and then comes back for them.
“It’s a great opportunity for folks to explore the natural lands at Filoli and learn about a given tree, learn about a given critter, learn about some of the brush and the water flow…It’s a really great opportunity to get that expertise knowledge,” Persen said.
Sunset art hikes are also held at the nearby Djerassi Residents Artists Program, a Woodside nonprofit that offers residencies for artists and private residencies through a new program. Djerassi holds sunset and full moon art hikes March through November, with its next one coinciding with the full moon Saturday, Aug. 9. Its other programming includes Sunday morning art hikes, sound immersion experiences, dance and poetry events and annual gatherings like the upcoming Artful Harvest gala Sept. 28.
While the sunset and full moon hikes are new this year, Djerassi has been hosting hikes since the ‘90s starting with a handful of free hikes it held throughout the year. In 2021, Djerassi received a grant that enabled the expansion of its hiking program.
“We are seeing a renewed interest in our hike program,” said Martin Rauchbauer, Djerassi executive director. “There’s been obviously massive interest during the time of COVID, (and) people wanted to go out after the pandemic. I think we are now seeing a shift toward more diversified programs: People want to not only go for a hike, but they want to have special experiences.”
The three-hour, 3.5-mile sunset hike along a dirt trail is considered moderate, with a different route than the daytime loop. The evening loop is called Estaciones de Luz or “Stations of Light,” named for an interactive art piece by Mark Reeves that’s along the route.
While daytime walks cover anywhere from 40-50 installations, evening hikes include about 30, with regular stops to go over details about the artwork and take breaks for snacks and water. Groups include up to 26 people, and hikes are primarily led by Djerassi art hike program director Danny Goldberg with help from several volunteer docents. Art hikes are $50 per participant.
“There’s several different paths on the program land and there’s over 200 art installations,” Goldberg said. “(We) continually have new pieces being added to the land. Season to season, things change quite a bit. There’s a lot of edible and medicinal plants, and I teach a lot about the plant life, animal life, ecology and geology…as well as pointing out all of the art installations and learning more about all of the artists and what their intention was behind the piece.”
Participants come from as far as Sonoma County down to Monterey and cover a wide age range that’s generally 10 and up. (Young children are welcome if their parents believe they’ll be comfortable with the length of the hike, Goldberg said.)
A trail cam on the property has captured activity from foxes, bobcats and wild turkeys, among other animals. And dusk at Djerassi gives visitors the opportunity to see creatures that wouldn’t necessarily be spotted at other parts of the day, Rauchbauer said.
“One of the most beautiful things you can see at sunset is the owls,” he said. “They love to fly at sunset, and that’s a really magical moment when you sit there looking at the wide landscape, you see the Pacific Ocean in the past and you see an owl flying around.”
For Goldberg, the vistas during art hikes at Djerassi are the biggest draw.
“It’s probably some of the most beautiful views in the Santa Cruz Mountains,” he said. “I’ve been hiking around this area for 30 years, and there’s no place like the Djerassi land – it’s just incredible.”
While the property’s sunset views appeal to hikers and artists alike, experiencing dusk at Djerassi can also be inspirational, Rauchbauer said.
“Many artists tell us they are very productive in the morning, but their most creative thoughts come at dusk,” he said. “It is a magical moment, but it’s also a moment where creativity and the human spirit are in a very special zone.”
Night hike precautions and packing list
Your packing list should include layers, accessories like a hat and gloves, a water bottle, snacks, hiking shoes or closed-toe shoes and bug spray. Watch for poison oak during hikes, and check for ticks afterward.
Flashlights with red filters or covered with red cellophane are also recommended to avoid blinding fellow participants or nighttime creatures. Offline maps of Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District preserves and trails can also be downloaded ahead of time; to access them, visit openspace.org/where-to-go/trail-maps.
Upcoming events
Filoli’s sunset hikes are held Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6-7:30 p.m. through Sept. 18. Tickets are $75 each and include admission to Filoli’s Summer Nights, held from 5-8 p.m. For more information or to buy tickets, visit filoli.org/summer.
Djerassi Resident Artists Program offers sunset and full moon hikes for the public March-November. Its next one is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 9, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Fall dates include a sunset and full moon hike Sept. 7, 5-8 p.m.; a sunset autumn equinox hike Sept. 21, 4-7 p.m.; a sunset and full moon hike Oct. 6, 4-7 p.m.; and a sunset and full moon hike Nov. 5, 2:30-5:30 p.m. Registration for fall hikes opens Aug. 14 at 10 a.m. Tickets are $50 each. For more information or to register, visit djerassi.org/events/art-hikes.
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s upcoming nighttime hikes include Bat Night at Skyline Ridge Preserve Aug. 8 and 15 (sold out), a full moon hike at Russian Ridge Preserve Sept. 7, an arachnid-themed walk at Monte Bello Preserve Sept. 13 and a supermoon hike on Black Mountain at Monte Bello Preserve Nov. 5. Hikes are free, but some activities require reservations. For more information or to register, go to openspace.org/get-involved/events-activities.
Santa Clara County Parks has multiple evening happenings in the South Bay on its calendar, including a full moon hike led by park rangers from 8-10 p.m. Aug. 9 at Joseph D. Grant County Park (no preregistration required). Other events in Santa Clara County parks include moonlight paddles Aug. 8 and Sept. 6, movie nights Aug. 9, Aug. 16 and Sept. 6, a stargazing party Aug. 16 and a “Bark Ranger” sunset hike for dog owners Sept. 20. Events are free; vehicle entrance and vessel inspection fees may apply. For more information, visit parks.santaclaracounty.gov/events.
