About us
While this group is primarily focused on hiking, we also enjoy other forms of outdoor fun such as canoeing, biking, kayaking, camping and backpacking.... and a variety of special events including concerts, beach parties, museum, garden, art and holiday walks.
Our success is based in part on our ability to increase the fun factor of outdoor events, often including a social activity such as picnics that include food and beverage. Our organizers also design conditioning hikes that are intended to enhance aerobic fitness and endurance. Our group has peaked virtually all the major mountains in Southern California, including Mt. Whitney. We strive to offer the most fun and scenic outdoor activities available to residents of Orange County.... events that are both in and out of area.
Our group is diverse, including young/middle/senior ages, singles and couples, and a mix of people with differing racial/ethnic/cultural/religious/political backgrounds. The unity of the Sunset Hikes Meetup centers on our shared love of fun, outdoor activities.
We do NOT ask for donations to support our administrative costs or charitable pursuits, however we do ask that you actively and enthusiastically participate in our events. So come on out! Make new friends, get some exercise, and enjoy the great outdoors. We are all about having fun!
Check out the "Our Calendar" tab for a schedule of upcoming activities. We look forward to seeing you at one of our events soon....
We welcome you to the Sunrise to Sunset Hiking family!
Disclaimer:
Group organizer and assistant organizers assume no liability; hike at your own risk. By being a member of this group you hereby agree to assume all risks and liability related to or resulting from any and all group functions. You agree that neither you nor any third party will hold any of the group's leaders, officers, or representatives liable for any injury, loss, or damage to your own person or any members of your family, friends, acquaintances, children, pets, or property, arising directly or as a consequence from a group activity. You also agree that your membership of this group is based on an "at will" basis.
Upcoming events
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TrainDay2SanDiego: Chasing the Sakura
Irvine Train Station, 15215 Barranca Parkway, Irvine, CA, USWe are heading to San Diego to catch the 2026 Sakura (Japanese Cherry Blossom) Bloom at Japanese Friendship Garden (JFGM).
In 1977, Yokohama Japan gifted San Diego 100 cherry trees, which have grown to become the lower bowl at Japanese Friendship Garden (JFGM). The now nearly 200 trees are currently at 68% PEAK Bloom.
🚆 Important Update: Oceanside Transfer
Our transfer in Oceanside is tight. We have only 8 minutes to cover about 1,000 feet between platforms and secure our COASTER tickets. There are only four ticket kiosks on our path, which will create a major bottleneck.
To ensure we don't miss the train, please do one of the following:- Download the PRONTO San Diego app and purchase your COASTER Regional Day Pass ($15 Adult -- Senior tickets can't be purchased via the pronto app) on your phone before we arrive in Oceanside. This is the fastest option.
- Bring exact cash ($15 / $7.50) I will be running ahead and can make Coaster ticket purchases in one transaction to help facilitate the group's tickets, if you must use a kiosk, be willing to run with me to avoid the TICKET BOTTLENECK at Oceanside Transit Center. The Pronto-san diego app is highly recommended to avoid the line entirely.
***
What We're Doing:
We’ll take a combination of Metrolink and Coaster trains From Irvine to Oceanside and Oceanside to San Diego. We’ll make our way to Balboa Park and the JFGM to see the Sakura bloom at its peak. If there is a line that is 30 minutes or less, I will get a ticket and enter the JFGM. Admission Tickets are $ 16 Adults (18+) $ 14 Students/Seniors (65+) and spend an hour or so here. We will grab lunch also here also.If we do not enter the garden, we will take some time to view it from the top and continue a walk in the area and then back to Santa Fe Depot to catch the 4:20 pm Coaster.
Meet at: Irvine train station at 9:30am Get your ticket at the station kiosks and meet us on platform 2 for Metrolink OC 1660 at 9:49am
OC 1660 9:49 am Irvine Arrives 10:48 am Oceanside
Coaster 676 leaves Oceanside at 10:56am arriving Santa Fe Depot 11:57amNote: If Metrolink is on time, We’ll have only 8 minutes to get our Coaster Regional Day Pass and board Coaster! Consider using the Pronto - San Diego transit app in order to purchase your Coaster Regional Day Pass from your phone and avoid the pronto ticket kiosk in Oceanside.
We will return to Santa Fe Depot in time to catch Coaster 683 @ 4:20pm Connecting with Metrolink in Oceanside. Our total mileage will be ~6-8 miles. YMMV.
Our last Return train Metrolink IEOC 1860 departs Oceanside @6:23 pm Arriving Irvine 7:24 pm
This means we will catch the sunset from the train!Pre apply sunscreen, wear a hat, wear comfortable walking shoes we’ll be walking 6-8 miles mostly hard flat surfaces with some hills and stairs along the way. Bring a refillable bottle of water for the walk and a snack for before or after lunch. Pack your own lunch if you like.
🎟️ Tickets & Costs:
• Metrolink SoCal Day Pass: $10 ($5.00 Seniors) Buy at Irvine Station via the ticket machine:
→ Tap Buy Tickets > SoCal Day Pass
⚠️ Avoid using bills larger than $20 — machines may not give change.
• Coaster Regional Day Pass $15.00 ($7.50 Seniors)
Purchase Coaster Regional Day Pass at the Oceanside Transit Center Pronto Ticket Kiosks or preferable using the pronto San Diego app on your smart phone as our timing will be tight!
Japanese Friendship Garden Admission Tickets $16 Adults (18+) $14 Students/Seniors (65+)***
🚶 What We’ll Do:
• Take Metrolink from Irvine to Oceanside
• Take Coaster form Oceanside to San Diego Santa Fe Depot
• We’ll take a bus to Balboa Park and JFGM
• Expect to walk ~4-6 miles throughout the day, with flights of stairs possible along the way
• Grab eats at JFGM in Balboa Park🕓 Schedule: Outbound – Metrolink:
• 🕐 9:30 AM: Arrive Irvine Train Station (15215 Barranca Pkwy, Irvine, CA), get your ticket, and Meetup on Platform 2 the near side.
• 🕐 9:49 AM: Depart Irvine Station on Metrolink OC 1660
• 🕙 10:48 AM: Arrive at Oceanside Transit Center
• 🕙 10:48 AM Purchase Coaster Regional Day pass from Pronto Kiosks
• 🕙 10:56 AM: Take Coaster 676 to Santa Fe Depot
• 🕙 11:57 AM: arrive Santa Fe Depot
• 🕔 12:00-1:00 PM: Lunch in San DiegoReturn – Metrolink:
• 🕔 3:30 PM: Head back to Santa Fe Depot
• 🕔 4:20 PM: Depart Santa Fe Depot on Coaster
• 🕕 5:23 pm take OC 1667 back at Irvine Station (this connection is unlikely but may be possible if we run!)
or
• 🕕 6:23 pm take IE/OC 1860 back at Irvine Station arrives 7:24pm
Note this train does not go to Los Angeles and last OC Station is Orange***
🧴 What to Bring:
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sun protection: hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
• Refillable water bottle
• A light snack
Meeting Options:
• at Irvine Station Platform 2 the near side or Onboard Metrolink OC 1660 from Irvine
• Or at Oceanside Transit Center by the Pronto Ticket Kiosks near the ped underpass after we arrive in Oceanside ~10:45amDISCLAIMER: Group organizer, assistant organizers and event hosts assume no liability; hike at your own risk. By being a member of this group you hereby agree to assume all risks and liability related to or resulting from any group functions. You agree that neither you nor any third party will hold any of the group's leaders, officers, or representatives liable for any injury, loss, or damage to your own person or any members of your family, friends, acquaintances, children, pets, or property, arising directly or as a consequence from a group activity. You also agree that your membership of this group is based on an "at will" basis.
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