Estero and Sunset Beach Loop

Route Description for Estero and Sunset Beach Loop

Leading you through cattle ranches, over rolling hills, to coastal headlands and sandy beaches, the Estero and Sunset Beach Loop boasts an unparalleled experience. Much of this hike is exposed, providing epic views, but also extreme conditions. Due to the proximity to the coast, you can expect windy and foggy weather, so we encourage you to wear layers! Don’t forget to charge your camera, as the scenes along this trek are picture perfect! Note: this route is subject to yearly closure to safeguard the nursing elephant seal pups; refer to the NPS website for additional details regarding wildlife closures.

Setting out from the trailhead, the Estero and Sunset Beach Trail follows the Estero Trail south. This path will guide you down to the estuary, leading you across a footbridge and over Home Bay, before heading back up into the meadowlands. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the cattle as you make your way to a junction, keeping right onto the Sunset Beach Trail to arrive at the beach and the end of the headlands, which boast an incredible overlook. If the tide is low, you can head east over the ocean floor to Sunrise Beach. If not, retrace your footing back along the Sunset Beach Trail to the intersection. Take a sharp right here onto the Estero Trail, then onto the Sunrise Beach Trail.

This path will lead you south to yet another junction, where you will keep right in order to loop to Sunrise Beach and back up to the Estero Trail. At this point, you will keep left and follow the Estero Trail all the way back to the trailhead, retracing your steps the entire way.