1.0 mi/0.5 hr
in Moss Beach
The Fitzgerald Marine Reserve provides the best tidepool hopping in California. After parking, it’s a short walk down to the tidepools; from here, you walk on exposed rock, watching the wonders of the tidal waters. In the tidepools, you may see hermit crabs, rock crabs, sea anemones, sculpins, starfish, sea snails, and many other animals and plants in various colors. The best bet is to pick a minus low tide and explore the tidepool world. The closer you look, the better it gets. When you go tidepool hopping, there is nothing more fascinating than discovering a variety of tiny sea creatures. The reef spans 30 acres with hundreds and hundreds of pockets, crevices, and cuts every time a minus low tide rolls back to the ocean. Be sure to wear boots that grip well, and take care not to crush any fragile sea plants as you walk. An option during low tides is to continue walking south on the beach to a beautiful cove at the foot of the Moss Beach Distillery, a popular watering hole. Note: No dogs, no beachcombing, no shell gathering. In other words, okay looky, but no touchy.
User Groups: Hikers only. No dogs, horses, or mountain bikes. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Montara Mountain.
Directions: Take I-280 to Highway 1 in Daly City and drive through Pacifica, over Devil’s Slide, and into Moss Beach. Turn right (west) at the signed turnoff at California Street and continue one mile to the parking area.
Contact: Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, Moss Beach, 650/728-3584; San Mateo County Parks Department, 650/363-4020 or 650/340-7598, http://parks.smcgov.org.
2.5 mi/1.5 hr
in Princeton at Half Moon Bay
Mavericks is world famous for its big waves and surfing competition. But many people do not even know where it is. Even for those who know the place, it can be a stunner if you arrive at a nonpeak time: You will find a secluded stretch of beach at Pillar Point Head, hidden tidepools at low tides, and a pretty walk on a bluff that overlooks Pillar Point Harbor. When you drive Highway 1 along Half Moon Bay, you’ll see a radar station that looks like a giant tennis ball at Pillar Point Head. Mavericks is located on the south side of Pillar Point Head. The parking lot is located at the foot of the road that leads to the radar station.
Pillar Point
From the parking lot, a trail extends along a bluff perched above a beach and waterfront of Pillar Point Harbor. You get views across the water, harbor, and beyond to the coastal hills. Bird life is excellent, with grebes, gulls, and the usual suspects. I’ve seen otters on this side of the harbor, too. The walk leads out to the foot of the north rock jetty, which you can rock hop to fishing spots, or continue to Mavericks Beach. From the foot of the jetty, you turn right and arrive at an extended sandy beach. When seas are calm, sea lions often play peek-a-boo amid nearby kelp beds. At the end of the beach at Pillar Point, minus low tides unveil expansive rocky tide pools and crevices. If you continue exploring, during low tides you can boulder hop your way around Pillar Point Head (a gap stops you from reaching a hidden beach).
The big waves for world-class surfing arrive just offshore during periods of huge ocean swells, often 15-foot swells or bigger, and often (but not always) timed at the top of the tide.
User Groups: Hikers, dogs, and horses (not advised). No mountain bikes. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Half Moon Bay.
Directions: Take I-280 to Daly City and the exit for Highway 1/Pacifica. Take that exit and drive 15.2 miles to Princeton/El Granada and a lighted intersection with Capistrano Road. Turn right on Capistrano Road and drive 0.4 mile to Prospect Way. Turn left on Prospect and drive 350 feet to Broadway. Turn left on Broadway and go 150 feet to Princeton Avenue. Turn right on Princeton and drive 0.3 mile to West Point Avenue. Turn right on West Point and go 300 feet, then turn left and drive 0.5 mile to a short, signed cutoff on left to parking lot.
From East Bay and Peninsula: From San Mateo, take Highway 92 west for 12 miles to Half Moon Bay and the junction with Highway 1. Turn right on Highway 1 and drive 3.9 miles to Princeton/El Granada and a lighted intersection with Capistrano Road. Turn left and continue to Pillar Point as above.
Contact: Pillar Point Harbor, 650/726-5727, www.smharbor.com/pillarpoint; weather recording 650/726-6070.
11.0 mi one-way/ 5.0 hr
near Woodside
The fight that took 70 years to win was resolved with one turn of a key. A locked gate at the Crystal Springs Watershed on the Peninsula was finally cracked open to the public. Access to the 23,000-acre watershed—which we once nicknamed the Forbidden Paradise—is finally possible, though by reservations only, where you join a group. Still, this is something special.
The trip is 11 miles, one-way with a shuttle, from the Quarry Gate near Highway 92 and extending on the Bay Ridge Trail to Sweeney Ridge, and then beyond to Sneath Lane Gate in San Bruno. The trip starts by passing through Quarry Gate. On a service road, climb 640 feet over the course of a mile to Cemetery Gate. This is the hardest part of the trip: a challenging climb on a bike, a steady rhythmic pull for hikers. You will pass through cypress forest and patches of chaparral, with views of Upper Crystal Springs.
Cemetery Gate to Five Points: After topping out at Cahill Ridge, enjoy an easy descent through old-growth cypress and Douglas fir, and farther north, redwoods. Keep an eye out on your left for a giant old-growth Douglas fir called "Big Doug." It’s three miles to Five Points, a five-way road junction, and your link north to the Fifield Ridge Route.
Fifield Ridge to Portola Gate: This is the best part of the trip. From Five Points, you are routed up above hidden Pilarcitos Lake to Fifield Ridge, emerging in wilderness for stunning views of the wild east flank of Montara Mountain to your left. As you continue north, you then get sweeping views to your right of the South Bay. In spring, this area is loaded with wildflowers. Deer, bobcat, and fox provide occasional sightings.
Portola Gate to Sneath Lane: First pass a hidden meadow on your left with views of Pacifica and the ocean. Continue to the Bay Discovery Site, with a dramatic scope below of the Peninsula’s wildlands, the lakes in the watershed, and the South Bay. The end of the trip is a downhill glide to the Sneath Lane Gate and your shuttle car.
As good as this is, it could get far better. For instance, another service road junctions with Fifield Ridge, providing a route up the little-seen eastern flank of Montara Mountain all the way to the 1,898-foot summit. Then the route goes over the top to McNee State Park and San Pedro Valley County Park. Opening that route would provide a sensational one-way hike, starting from the Sneath Lake access. You would climb to Sweeney Ridge, then into the watershed and to the summit of Montara Mountain, and then down the north side to McNee Ranch State Park in Montara.
User Groups: Hiking, biking, and horseback riding permitted, but not at the same time; volunteer trail leader required with all parties. No dogs. Limited wheelchair access from Skylawn trailhead.
Permits: Reservations are required. Reserve online at www.sfwater.org (click on Community, Explore). Public access is restricted to groups under the supervision of a trained leader on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Maps: For a free trail map, contact San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for San Mateo.
Directions: To Quarry Gate: From the Peninsula, take I-280 to Highway 92. Turn west on Highway 92, drive over Crystal Springs Reservoir and continue 0.5 mile to Quarry Gate on right. Turn right and go short distance to parking and trailhead.
To Sneath Lane Trailhead: To drop off the shuttle car, take I-280 to San Bruno and the exit for Sneath Lane. Take that exit, and drive west on Sneath Lane to the road’s end. Leave the car near the access point for Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Contact: San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, 650/652-3203, www.sfwater.org.
6.4 mi/3.0 hr
along Crystal Springs Reservoir near Woodside
From the parking area, the Crystal Springs trail runs along the border of San Francisco watershed land, adjacent to Canada Road. Your destination is 3.2 miles away at the Pulgas Water Temple, where waters from Hetch Hetchy in Yosemite arrive via pipe and thunder into this giant, sunken bathtub-like structure surrounded by Roman pillars and a canopy. It’s quite a sight. Beautiful Crystal Springs Reservoir is off to the west for most of the hike, though it occasionally disappears from view behind a hill as you continue south. Deer are commonly seen in this area—a nice bonus. The adjacent road, Canada Road, is a famous family bike trip on Bicycle Sundays, when it is closed to all vehicles.
User Groups: Hikers and mountain bikes. No dogs or horses. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: For a free trail map, contact San Mateo County Division of Parks. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for San Mateo.
Directions: From I-280 in San Mateo, take the Highway 92 exit and drive west to Canada Road/Highway 95. Turn south on Canada Road and drive 0.2 mile to the parking area, on the right.
Contact: San Mateo County Parks Department, 650/363-4020, http://parks.smcgov.org.
6.5 mi/3.5 hr
in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
One of our favorites. From staging area on Higgins Road south of Half Moon Bay, take the trailhead for Harkins Ridge Trail. It is routed through a redwood canyon and then rises up a sub-ridge 1,600 feet, within earshot of Skyline. Turn left on the North Ridge Trail, then left again on Whittemore Gulch Trail and sail back down to the starting spot. For much of the route, deep valleys plunge on each side.
There’s one steep spot, but it’s shaded for the most part, with pretty valley views. The route then turns left and climbs out of the canyon to a ridge, where a few steep spots on the way up make for dramatic drops on each side into remote valleys. At three miles, just a short distance from Skyline (close enough that you might even hear people at the parking lot), you emerge at a junction with the North Ridge Trail. Turn left on the North Ridge Trail for 0.5 mile, then take another left on Whittemore Gulch Trail for the easy 2.8 mile downhill glide back to the trailhead.
This trip can also be started from Skyline as the Whittemore Gulch Loop, but the return trip will be up rather than down.
User Groups: Hikers. No bikes on Purisima Creek Trail or Harkins Ridge Trail. Bikes and horses often restricted on Whittemore Gulch Trail in wet weather. No dogs. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: For a free map, contact the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District or pick one up at the trailhead. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Woodside.
Directions: Take I-280 to Highway 92. Bear west on 92 and drive up to ridge and continue west to Half Moon Bay and lighted intersection at Main Street. Turn south (left) on Main Street and drive through town (about a mile) to Higgins-Purisima Road. Turn left on Higgins-Purisima and drive four miles (becomes curvy, watch out for bikes) to the staging area for Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve on the left. Note: If the small parking lot is full, park on the road’s shoulder ahead, on the right.
Contact: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, 650/691-1200, www.openspace.org.
6.5 mi/3.5 hr
in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
Purisima Creek Redwoods is a magnificent 2,633-acre preserve set on the western slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains, from Skyline Boulevard down to Half Moon Bay. One of the best ways to explore the area is on this great loop hike. You can make it a one-way trip by having a shuttle car waiting at the trail’s end at the Higgins-Purisima parking access.
This trail starts at the Skyline Access on Skyline Boulevard, located at a parking area just south of a small building (it used to be a store). From the trailhead, descend a short distance to a junction with the North Ridge Trail. Turn right and descend a further 0.5 mile to a junction with the Whittemore Gulch Trail. The trail drops quickly at first, then more gradually to the rim of the canyon.
At the canyon rim, a series of switchbacks takes you down the hill about 1,000 feet into the redwood canyon. It is well graded (about 10 percent). In all, the descent is 1,600 feet. At the bottom of the forest floor, turn left on the Harkins Ridge Trail and climb 3.3 miles back to the top.
Timing: On weekday mornings, this place can be paradise—Purisima can feel like a vast uninhabited wilderness, complete with the long-distance coastal views and a hidden redwood canyon. On Sunday afternoons, however, it’s often crowded. Mountain bikers can be an issue when they ride fast downhill on Harkins Ridge Trail.
User Groups: Hikers. No bikes on Purisima Creek Trail or Harkins Ridge Trail. Bikes and horses often restricted on Whittemore Gulch Trail in wet weather. No dogs. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: For a free map, contact the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District or pick one up at the trailhead. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Woodside.
Directions: Take I-280 to Highway 92. Bear west on 92 and drive past Crystal Springs and up to the ridge and the junction with Highway 35/Skyline. Turn left on Skyline and drive 4.5 miles to parking area on right, signed for preserve.
Contact: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, 650/691-1200, www.openspace.org.
0.5 mi/0.5 hr
in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
The 0.25-mile-long Redwood Trail allows just about anybody to experience the grandeur of a redwood forest. Anybody? People with baby strollers, wheelchairs, or walkers, as well as those recovering from poor health, will be able to do this trail. It starts at an elevation 2,000 feet on Skyline Boulevard and is routed north under a canopy of giant redwoods. At the end, there are picnic tables and restrooms. And the return trip is just as easy. Most people don’t really hike the trail, they just kind of mosey along, seeing how it feels to wander freely among ancient trees.
User Groups: Hikers and wheelchairs. No dogs, horses, or mountain bikes.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: For a free map, contact the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District or pick one up at the trailhead. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Woodside.
Directions: Take I-280 to Highway 92. Bear west on 92 and drive past Crystal Springs and up to the ridge and the junction with Highway 35/Skyline. Turn left on Skyline and drive 4.5 miles (past parking area on right) and continue to mile marker 16.65 to parking area on right, signed for preserve and Redwood Trail.
Contact: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, 650/691-1200, www.openspace.org.
7.5 mi/3.5 hr
in Woodside
With two slight changes (and we’ll get to that) this hike could be a 9. As it is, the Huddart Park Loop is still a treasure. Huddart Park covers 1,000 acres from the foothills near Woodside on up to Skyline Boulevard. Nestled in a grassy area surrounded by woods, you can picnic, play, or head off into the wild. The best hike is a 7.5-mile loop that provides a tour through deep woods and along hidden creeks. This trek includes a 1,400-foot climb, but because trail makers kept grades at 6 percent, it’s a steady, rhythmic pull to the top for hikers or runners, with all junctions signed. The woods extend up the slopes of Kings Mountain and a network of trails are routed through the redwoods, amid patches of hardwoods, and along small creeks.
Start the hike at the Zwierlein Picnic Area (set next to a small parking lot near a restroom). Be sure to grab a trail map first, though; there are dozens of loop options at virtually every trail junction. At the trailhead sign, start on the left by hiking 0.2 mile to the Dean Trail, and then continue down into the canyon to the bridge at McGarvey Gulch and the junction with the Crystal Springs Trail. Turn right, and from the start, the trail feels like a tunnel through vegetation. It then quickly drops into redwood forest and crosses two small wood bridges over a pretty creek. From here, the Crystal Springs Trail rises 3.4 miles and 1,400 feet to Skyline. The grade is perfect. From the bridge, it took us an hour and 15 minutes to reach the top (2,000 feet), always in rhythm.
Before reaching Skyline, turn left on Summit Springs Trail (a dirt road) and climb steeply for 0.4 mile to the top of the ridge and the Skyline Trail. Turn left on Skyline Trail and continue another 0.3 mile to the Chinquapin Trail on the left. The Chinquapin Trail is routed in and out of heavily wooded canyons near the headwaters of McGarvey Gulch creek, down all the way. It eventually links to the Dean Trail; turn left to be routed back to the Zwierlein trailhead and parking lot. Add variety to your hike, or make it shorter or longer, by carrying a map.
The park has applied crushed gravel on a good part of the route to stop erosion caused by horses. For many, it looks almost paved. Instead, rangers should clear some trees at Skyline to create what could be a gorgeous sweeping view of the South Bay. (Rangers cleared a wooded hilltop at China Camp State Park in San Rafael to create one of the best lookouts in the Bay Area—see the Patrick’s Point hike in this chapter).
User Groups: Hikers and horses. Mountain bikes are permitted on paved roads only. Horses restricted when trails are wet. The Chickadee Trail at Huddart Park is wheelchair-accessible. No dogs.
Permits: No permits are required. An entrance fee of $6 per vehicle is charged.
Maps: A brochure and map are available in a box at the entrance. For a trail map, contact Huddart Park. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Woodside.
Directions: From San Francisco, take I-280 south and drive 20 miles to Woodside and the exit for Highway 84/Woodside Road. Take that exit, turn west (right) on Woodside Road, and drive 2.8 miles to Woodside. Continue 1.7 miles to Kings Mountain Road. Turn right and drive 2.8 miles (curvy) to the park entrance on the right. Take the entrance road to the kiosk, then continue to the parking area at Zwierlein Picnic Area. The trailhead is on the far side of the parking lot (adjacent to a restroom).
Contact: Huddart Park, 650/851-0326; San Mateo County Parks Department, 650/363-4020 or 650/340-7598 (group tour reservations), http://parks.smcgov.org.
6.5 mi/3.5 hr
El Corte de Madera Open Space Preserve
This is a 6.5-mile walk with about everything you could ask for: a beautiful destination with big trees, epic views, parking, and nice folks on the trail. From the trailhead, the first leg is 0.5-mile through a mixed forest, where the trail undulates up and down in short rises and falls north (roughly along Skyline) to another access point (Gate CM02) along Skyline/Highway 35. To reach the Methuselah Tree, cross Skyline here and walk a short a short distance to the monolith. The diameter of the base of the tree is 14 feet across, with a circumference of 44 feet—the biggest redwood on the north Peninsula. The park district estimates the tree is 1,800 years old.
Tafoni Monolith
From the Methuselah Tree, recross Skyline Boulevard and take the Sierra Morena Trail for 0.4 mile to the Fir Trail. Turn left and walk 0.6 mile to a major junction with the Tafoni Trail. From here, it’s just 0.1 mile to the spur to the Tafoni, then another 0.1 mile with an easy descent to the Tafoni monolith. The trail leads a short way into a canyon and to a viewing deck perched at the base of the Tafoni, a 50-foot sandstone monolith that juts up from the wooded slope. From the deck, you get a close-up view what looks like etched fretwork in the rock. As you peer up, you can see a matrix of holes, hollows, and crevices. There’s nothing else quite like it anywhere.
Return to the junction of the Tafoni Trail and Fir Trail and follow the Fir Trail to the DC-6 crash monument. A short cutoff then leads to Vista Point. You top out at a 2,200-foot sub-ridge, where a break in the forest provides a view to the west that extends to the coast and ocean.
Most call the preserve “ECM” for short. It’s a big preserve and it spans a variety of landscapes with a matrix of trails and abandoned roads. ECM spans 2,817 acres with 36 miles of trails, with excellent easy hikes and outstanding mountain biking, including plenty of single track. From what I’ve seen on the trail here, the people riding do everything they can to slow down, smile, greet, and pass hikers with care. Maybe there is hope for the human race, after all.
User Groups: Hiking, mountain bikes, horses. No dogs. No bikes or horses on short spur to Tafoni Monolith. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: Parking and access are free.
Maps: Obtain a free map at the trailhead or from the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Woodside.
Directions: Take I-280 to the exit for Highway 35/Bunker Hill Road (also signed for Highway 92W). Take that exit, continue 0.2 mile to frontage road, turn left and go 1.1 miles to Highway 92 (stoplight). Turn right on Highway 92 and drive two miles up the hill to a left turn lane for Highway 35/Skyline. Turn left and drive 9.6 miles to El Corte de Madera Open Space Preserve on the right. In 2015, the Midpeninsula Open Space District opened a new parking lot with a big sign off Highway 35, with a new staging area with trail maps, trailhead, and portable restroom.
From the Peninsula: Take I-280 to Highway 84. Turn west on Highway 84 and drive about seven miles (curvy through Woodside) to Sky Londa and Highway 35 (Skyline Boulevard). Turn right (north) and go 2.8 miles to El Corte de Madera Open Space Preserve on the left.
From East Bay: Take Highway 92 west to Crystal Springs and continue to crest at Skyline. Turn left and drive 9.6 miles to parking on right.
Contact: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, 650/691-1200, www.openspace.org.
4.5 mi/2.5 hr
in Wunderlich County Park near Woodside
This trailhead features a 4.5-mile loop hike that drops into a remote redwood canyon with a creek, then rises back up, looping back through forest to the starting point. The only thing the trail lacks is a series of gorgeous lookouts. You want views? Not here.
The trip starts on the east side of Skyline Boulevard, where a large blue sign for the Bay Ridge Trail marks the trailhead. From Skyline, start the trip on the Alambique Trail (signed). Here you work your way down a canyon for two miles amid a second-growth redwood forest. On foggy mornings, moisture can be so heavy that it can drip from the branches of redwoods and Douglas firs like a sparse rain. Everything smells wet, dense, and old. Our personal preference is a fogbound morning, when the heavy air smothers distant sounds, creating perfect quiet.
It takes only about 40 minutes to reach a canyon bottom, where you cross a feeder stream to Alambique Creek. This watershed is home to many banana slugs and newts, and when the forest is dripping with moisture, they are often on the trail—so be careful not to accidentally squish the little fellers. Though the canyon is cool and moist, it is the kind of place you can sit for a while and enjoy a trail lunch in complete peace. For the moment, you can let the rest of the world worry about their latest problems. There’s always something, right?
Shortly after a creek crossing, you will reach a four-way junction with the Skyline Trail in about two miles. To return to the starting point, take the sharpest right on the Skyline Trail and climb back out (with a few short drops) for 2.4 miles to a staging area.
If you want to extend your trip at the junction, instead turn left on the Alambique Trail. This is routed farther down into the park to an additional network of trails. The best offshoots are to The Meadows (turn left on Bear Gulch Trail for 0.3 mile) or to Alambique Flat (to the right for 0.2 mile). Amid the second-growth forest along the lower portion of the Alambique Trail, there is a single awesome redwood giant called The Methuselah Tree that still remains. Its trunk is roughly 45 feet around, with massive burls and a burned-out gap.
User Groups: Hikers and horses. No dogs or mountain bikes. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: For a trail map, contact Huddart Park. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Woodside.
Directions: Take I-280 to Woodside and Highway 84. Turn east on Highway 84 and go to Sky Londa and Highway 35/Skyline Boulevard. Turn right (north) and go 2.5 miles to the trailhead, on the right (signed Bay Ridge Trail). Limited parking is available on the road’s shoulder.
From the East Bay: Take Highway 92 west to the junction of I-280 and continue three miles to Highway 35/Skyline Boulevard. Turn left (south) and go 10 miles to the trailhead, on the left.
Contact: Wunderlich County Park, c/o Huddart Park, 650/851-1210 or 650/851-0326 (entry kiosk); San Mateo County Parks Department, 650/363-4020, www.co.sanmateo.ce.us.
5.5 mi/3.0 hr
in Wunderlich County Park near Woodside
Wunderlich County Park is one of the better spots on the Peninsula for clearing out the brain cobwebs. The network of trails here provides a variety of adventures, from short strolls to all-day treks. Take your pick. The Meadow Loop is the preferred route; it circles much of the park, first crosses through oak woodlands, then rises to open grasslands, and finally passes a second-growth redwood forest on the way back. The Alambique Trailhead spans from Wunderlich near Woodside (this hike) to Skyline and Highway 35 (the previous hike).
Make sure you have a trail map, then take this route: Near the park entrance off Woodside Road, look for the signed trailhead for Alambique Trail and hike for 0.7 mile. At the junction with Meadow Trail, turn right, hike for 0.4 mile, and then turn left on to Meadow Trail and climb up to The Meadows in 1.1 miles. This is a perfect picnic site, with rolling hills, grasslands, and great views. To complete the loop, forge onward, then turn right at Bear Gulch Trail and take it all the way back, including switchbacks, to the park entrance. This hike includes an elevation gain of nearly 1,000 feet, so come prepared for a workout.
User Groups: Hikers and horses. No dogs or mountain bikes. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. A $6 fee is charged per vehicle.
Maps: For a free map, contact San Mateo County Division of Parks. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Woodside.
Directions: From San Francisco, take I-280 south and drive 20 miles to the exit for Highway 84/Woodside Road. Take that exit to Woodside Road, turn right and drive 2.7 miles (through Woodside) to the park entrance on the right.
Contact: Wunderlich Park, c/o Huddart Park, 650/851-1210; San Mateo County Parks Department, 650/363-4020, http://parks.smcgov.org.
2.0 mi/0.75 hr
near Menlo Park
This 370-acre parcel of land is rich in marshland habitat and is home to many types of birds. The highlights are two excellent observation decks. From the parking area at the end of Bay Road, backtrack by walking across a bridged slough to the trailhead, on the north side of the road. You will immediately come to a fork in the road. You can turn right and walk 200 feet to an observation deck with great views of the South Bay. If you go left instead, you will find a hard-surface path that heads north and hooks out toward the bay to another wood observation deck. This is the primary destination for most visitors. There always seems to be egrets and herons, but sandpipers and dozens of other species will stop here on their migratory journeys.
User Groups: Hikers, wheelchairs, and mountain bikes. No dogs or horses.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: For a free map, contact the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Mountain View.
Directions: Take U.S. 101 to Palo Alto and the exit for University Avenue. Take that exit and follow the signs a short distance to University Avenue/East Palo Alto, and continue three long blocks to Bay Road. Turn right on Bay Road and drive one mile (through the gate, becomes dirt) to the end of the road and the preserve entrance and parking on the left.
Contact: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, 650/691-1200, www.openspace.org.
4.0 mi/1.5 hr
in Palo Alto
Of the bay’s 20 richest wetlands, the Palo Alto Baylands Preserve offers some of the best access and sightings to take in the annual migrations in late fall, winter, and spring. You can sight residents year-round, as well as good opportunities for ground squirrels, rabbits, and fox. From the Nature Center, take the trail that runs out along the slough and turns left to parallel the Palo Alto Municipal Airport. It’s called the San Francisquito Trail. Many enjoy watching the small planes take off and land. The trail runs north to San Francisquito Creek. Here you turn right, and venture out to where the creek, which looks more like a tidal slough most of the year, enters the South Bay. Return when you’re ready.
At peak migrations, you can see ducks, curlews, killdeers, willets, avocets, stilts, coots, herons, egrets, and other waterfowl making this stop on the Pacific Flyway. As they arrive to the bay’s wetlands, they join resident marsh wrens, sandpipers, song sparrows, red-tailed hawks, and other wildlife including rabbits, ground squirrels, and foxes. Ground squirrels can provide a sideshow, along with surprise jackrabbits. The rabbits can pop up literally at your feet—and take your breath away by the shock, then sprint off at warp speed.
User Groups: Hikers, wheelchairs, and mountain bikes. No dogs or horses.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Mountain View.
Directions: Take U.S. 101 to Palo Alto and the exit for Embarcadero East. Take that exit and drive east (past the golf course and airport on left) to a stop sign. Turn left and drive past the abandoned yacht harbor until you reach a sharp right turn. Park at the lot on the right (south). The nature preserve is on the left (north).
Contact: Palo Alto Baylands Nature Center, 650/617-3156, www.cityofpaloalto.org.
4.0 mi/1.5 hr
at Shoreline at Mountain View Park
This 750-acre swath of wetlands, ponds, and levee trails is one of the Bay Area’s great local parks. Plus it’s free. It is located east of U.S. 101 in Mountain View near the Shoreline Amphitheater and spans to the shore of South San Francisco Bay. The park provides an array of recreation—bike, hike, and boat—plus on clear days, great long-distance views from the shore of the bay.
From the parking area at Shoreline Lake, walk north on the Bay Trail (a levee road) out past Charleston Slough (on your right). You then connect to the Adobe Creek Loop Trail (a right turn), which is routed out to the shore of the South Bay. Great views, bird-watching, and fresh air.
A great easy walk, in other words. It’s also a testament to the Bay Area’s 10-mile “Bubble Rule.” That’s where residents rarely visit local destinations that are outside a 10-mile radius of their home, and in turn, miss out on many great parks.
This trail provides access to an expanse of wetlands and marsh habitat. Within minutes, with each step you will gain access to marshland that has been preserved in its natural state. From afar, the surroundings may appear to be nothing more than pickleweed and mud, but look closer, and you will begin to see the huge diversity of birds and wildlife that thrive in this very rich ecosystem. Egrets seem particularly plentiful.
User Groups: Hikers and mountain bikes. No dogs or horses, and no dogs are permitted beyond entry kiosk. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Mountain View.
Directions: From San Francisco, take U.S. 101 south for 34 miles to Mountain View and the exit for Rengstorff Avenue. Take that exit, keep right at the fork (signed for Amphitheatre Parkway) and merge onto Rengstorff Avenue, and continue 0.3 mile to Amphitheatre Parkway. Continue onto Amphitheatre Parkway and drive 0.7 mile to North Shoreline Boulevard. Turn left and drive 1.4 miles (stay right at the island/golf course on left) to entrance for Shoreline Regional Park. Continue ahead and turn left to main parking area, boat ramp, aquatic center/boathouse, and trailheads.
Contact: Shoreline at Mountain View Park, 650/903-6392, www.mountainview.gov.
7.5 mi/3.5 hr
in Windy Hill Open Space Preserve
For most, the big thing is the view from the top. The ridge rises up above oak woodlands, and from the grasslands across the hilltops, where on clear days you have unobstructed views to the east across the South Bay, East Bay hills, and to Mount Diablo on the horizon. In winter, an inversion layer at roughly 800-1,000-foot elevation, like a lid, is common across the South Bay, and at other times, low-lying stratus. In each case, you can peer over the top like it’s a foggy sea.
A 7.5-mile loop takes you around most of the park, a bottom-to-top-to-bottom route that connects several trails (be sure to have a trail map with you). From the Portola Gate, take the Spring Ridge Trail past Sausal Pond, and with a few cutoffs, to the Hamms Gulch Trail. That climbs to the top, with switchbacks to make the 600-foot climb (over 2.6 miles) less of a challenge. At the ridge, you turn right on the Lost Trail/Anniversary Trail and enjoy the views en route 1.1 mile to the Spring Ridge Trail. Turn right and sail back down.
From the 1,900-foot summit, a grass-covered hilltop, you can see San Francisco Bay on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. If views are all you want, just drive to the trailhead at Skyline and the 0.7-mile Anniversary Trail, which is routed from the parking area to the summit, provides them.
The park spans 1,335 acres from the foothills (elevation 600 feet) and up the slope to Skyline (1,200 feet), with staging areas located both at the foot of the preserve near Portola Valley and on top of Skyline. Its location creates a microclimate and a procession of habitats across its landscape: oak woodlands, gulches with conifers and riparian zones, wetlands and a pond, and ridge-top grasslands.
User Groups: Hikers, horses, and dogs (allowed on Hamms Gulch Trail, Eagle Trail, and Anniversary Trail; prohibited on others). No mountain bikes (except on the preserve’s Spring Ridge Trail). There are wheelchair facilities in the picnic area adjacent to the parking area.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map and brochure, contact the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Mindego Hill.
Directions: Take I-280 to the exit for Sand Hill Road near Menlo Park. Turn west on Sand Hill Road. Drive 2.1 miles (becomes Portola Rd.) and continue straight for 2.5 miles to signed parking on right.
Skyline Trailhead: Take I-280 to Woodside and the exit for Woodside Road/Highway 84. Turn west and drive 6.5 miles (curvy through Woodside) to Sky Londa and Skyline Boulevard/Highway 35. Turn left on Skyline and drive 2.3 miles to trailhead on left.
Contact: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, 650/691-1200, www.openspace.org.
0.6 mi/0.5 hr
in Los Trancos Open Space Preserve
This trail may not have heartbreaking beauty, but it is unique: the San Andreas Fault Trail. This is a self-guided tour of an earthquake trail, and it includes several examples of fault movement. The 13 numbered signposts along the way correspond with numbered explanations in the park brochure. If you don’t want a geology lesson, you may be content with the good views of the Peninsula from the 2,000-foot ridgeline. Most hikers connect San Andreas Fault Trail to Lost Creek Loop Trail, a pleasant and easy bonus leg that is routed into secluded spots along a pretty creek.
The Monte Bello Open Space Preserve is located on the other side of Page Mill Road and provides a more dynamic landscape. But if you want unique, you can get it on the Fault Trail.
User Groups: Hikers only. The trail is not wheelchair-accessible, but the parking lot is and offers a nice view. No dogs, horses, or mountain bikes.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, contact the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Mindego Hill.
Directions: From I-280 in Palo Alto, turn west on Page Mill Road and drive seven twisty miles to the signed parking area, on the right. The Monte Bello Open Space Preserve is directly across the street, on the left (south).
Contact: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, 650/691-1200, www.openspace.org.
4.0 mi/2.0 hr
in Coal Creek Open Space Preserve
The Clouds Rest Trail at Coal Creek Open Space Preserve is perched on the slopes from Skyline that face the South Bay. The trailhead is at Vista Point on Skyline, so the pay-offs start before you take a step on the trail. From here, take Clouds Rest Trail to Alpine Road and back, an easy in-and-outer; dogs OK.
From the lookout, you tower over the South Bay. You get sweeping views across the foothills, the valley floor, and across the South Bay to the East Bay hills. You can point out Stanford Tower, the Dumbarton Bridge, Lick Observatory, and Mount Diablo.
The preserve spans from Skyline east across 508 acres. The park’s trails, actually old ranch roads, cover only four miles as they traverse the grasslands past a classic-looking barn and down along a small creek. You can make a quick loop by following Clouds Rest Trail to Meadow Trail and returning back along Alpine Road, or hiking farther north for an out-and-back trip. On a clear day, you’ll never forget the view. Most Peninsula residents have never heard of the Coal Creek Open Space Preserve—it is one of the lesser-developed parklands in the Bay Area.
User Groups: Hikers, dogs, horses, and mountain bikes. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, contact the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Mindego Hill.
Directions: Take I-280 to Woodside and the exit for Woodside Road/Highway 84. Take the exit to Woodside Road, turn west and drive 6.5 miles (through Woodside, enter redwoods, becomes curvy as you climb) to Sky Londa and Skyline Boulevard/Highway 35. Turn left on Skyline and drive six miles to Caltrans Vista Point on left.
Alternate route from South Peninsula: Coal Creek Open Space Preserve and Vista Point is located 1.2 miles north of the junction of Page Mill Road and Skyline. Page Mill out of Palo Alto is narrow, twisty, with blind turns and dangerous for cars vs. bikes.
Contact: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, 650/691-1200, www.openspace.org.
3.5 mi/2.0 hr
in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve
The Monte Bello Open Space Preserve encompasses more than 2,700 acres of the most natural and scenic lands on the east-facing slopes of the Peninsula foothills. It includes 2,800-foot Black Mountain, the headwaters of Stevens Creek, and this pretty trail, which is crowned by great views and offers the opportunity to camp at a little-known backpack site. For most, a map is a must.
From the parking area, start the trip by taking the Stevens Creek Nature Trail for 0.3 mile (ignore the fork) to Canyon Trail. Turn right on Canyon Trail, and go 0.25 mile to the Bella Vista Trail. Turn left and climb a mile to the ridge and the Old Ranch Trail. Turn right on Old Ranch Trail and you will arrive at the Black Mountain Campground (permit only) in about 0.5 mile. In the process, you will pass the headwaters of Stevens Creek as well as the San Andreas Fault. You’ll also get long-distance views of the valley and the ridge above San Jose, and opportunities to see squirrels, hawks, rabbits, and deer. It’s about a 500-foot climb from the parking area to the campground.
Then, from the campground, it’s a 0.2 mile walk on Monte Bello Road to the summit of Black Mountain (some transmitters mar the perfection). On clear spring days, the views are eye-popping. For campers, bring flashlights with fresh batteries, and be sure to make the walk here in darkness for stargazing, or time the trip for a meteor shower.
From the summit, another bonus is available by continuing on Monte Bello Road for a short distance to a picnic site on the right. It is set adjacent to a sprinkling of rock crags that look like a movie set simulating another planet (great for kids). There are more stellar views of the canyon and foothills below to the east.
User Groups: Hikers, horses, and mountain bikes (restricted from some trails). This trail is not open to wheelchairs, but the parking lot and a short side trail are wheelchair-accessible and offer a good view. No dogs.
Permits: No permits are required for day-use. Campers must have reservation and permit for the backpack camp.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, contact the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Mindego Hill.
Directions: From I-280 in Palo Alto, turn west on Page Mill Road and drive seven twisty miles to the signed parking area for Monte Bello Open Space Preserve on the left (south). Los Trancos Open Space Preserve is directly across the street to the right (north).
Contact: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, 650/691-1200, www.openspace.org.
1.4 mi/1.0 hr
in Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve
Borel Hill is one of the great lookouts on the San Francisco Peninsula. The summit tops out at 2,572 feet and is surrounded by grasslands. Hikers get unobstructed, 360-degree views. Borel Hill is a favorite destination of hikers who visit the Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve.
From the parking area, hike north on the Bay Area Ridge Trail over the course of 0.7 mile to Borel Hill. The hill is the highest spot around, bordered by grasslands and with no trees. You get gorgeous views west across coastal foothills to the azure-blue horizon of the sea. This trail connects to a network of routes that provide access to the interior of the preserve’s 3,137 acres.
Russian Ridge is located just across the road from Caltrans Vista Point on the Peninsula’s Skyline. You get views across the South Bay there. Then cross the road and climb Borel Hill for the coastal panorama.
User Groups: Hikers, horses, and mountain bikes. A wheelchair-accessible trail starting at the parking area leads to Alpine Pond in the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve. No dogs.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, contact the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Mindego Hill.
Directions: Take I-280 to Woodside and the exit for Woodside Road/Highway 84. Take the exit to Woodside Road, turn west and drive 6.5 miles (through Woodside, enter redwoods, becomes curvy as you climb) to Sky Londa and Skyline Boulevard/Highway 35. Turn left on Skyline and drive six miles to Caltrans Vista Point on left.
Alternate route from South Peninsula: Coal Creek Open Space Preserve and Vista Point is located 1.2 miles north of the junction of Page Mill Road and Skyline. Page Mill out of Palo Alto is narrow, twisty, with blind turns and dangerous for cars vs. bikes.
Contact: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, 650/691-1200, www.openspace.org.
3.0 mi/1.5 hr
in Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve
From the parking area, walk south through a tunnel and continue a short distance to Alpine Pond and the nature center. Gorgeous spot. Good bird-watching. Nature trail available around the pond. No fishing permitted. Many folks can’t believe how pretty little Alpine Pond is, the easiest pay-off for visitors to Skyline Ridge Open Space. From this pond, the trail then pushes into the interior of the parkland, skirting the flank of the highest mountain in park boundaries (2,493 feet), and then loops back to Skyline Boulevard. You play peek-a-boo here, heading in and out of woodlands and gaining occasional views of plunging canyons to the west. You can create a loop hike, but that requires going back on a fire road; most people return to the parking area via the same route they walked on the way in.
Note that another trailhead is located south from the junction of Skyline and Alpine Road. This leads a short distance down to pretty Horseshoe Lake.
User Groups: Hikers, horses, and mountain bikes. A wheelchair-accessible trail leads to Horseshoe Lake. No dogs.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, contact the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Mindego Hill.
Directions: Take I-280 to Woodside and the exit for Highway 84/Woodside Road. Take that exit, turn west on Woodside Road and drive 2.8 miles. Continue on Woodside Road/Highway 84 (becomes curvy) to Sky Londa and Highway 35/Skyline Boulevard. Turn left on Skyline and drive six miles to Vista Point parking on left or continue one mile to junction with Alpine Road. Turn right on Alpine Road and immediately look for exit on right to parking for Skyline Ridge Open Space. For trailhead to Horseshoe Lake, at junction of Skyline and Alpine Road, continue short distance south to parking and staging area on right.
Options from South Bay: From Palo Alto at I-280, take Page Mill Road west about 10 miles (narrow and curvy, watch for bikes) to Skyline/Highway 35. Continue straight on Alpine Road a short distance to exit for parking lot on right for Skyline Ridge.
Contact: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, 650/691-1200, www.openspace.org.
2.6 mi/1.25 hr
in Sam McDonald County Park near La Honda
This loop trail provides a stellar introduction to the area and makes an excellent hike year-round. It features about a 700-foot climb, a route through deep redwood canyons, and then ridge-top views across coastal foothills. Very enjoyable.
After a quick orientation with the park map (they’re self-serve at the ranger station), choose the posted four-mile Ridge Trail Loop. As you enter the parking lot, the trailhead is on the right of the restroom. The hike starts on a narrow dirt path that is carved in the side of a steep redwood canyon, where you walk north. Even on hot Bay Area days, this forest is cool and refreshing, with occasional banana slugs on the trail. The trail contours up and down, then eventually rises into hardwood forest (mainly oaks, bays, and madrones) to a sub-ridge with a partial lookout to the north across miles of pretty foothills.
The trail then curves left (west) and climbs toward Towne Ridge. You emerge at a crossing of Pescadero Road (you’re now heading south). You cross the road and the trail turns from single track to a service road. The views to the west of the coastal foothills, into the Pescadero Creek Canyon, and across to Butano Rim start to open up. In March, April, and early May, there are also many blooming wildflowers, highlighted by occasional rafts of sprawling forget-me-nots. The trail/road contours up and down, generally climbing and you emerge in foothill grasslands (a ride-in horse camp is off to the left). Look to the left as well for the Towne Trail. Turn left on the Towne Trail and you descend into another deep redwood canyon. At a water tank, turn right on the Big Tree Loop, which is highlighted by a big redwood. The Big Tree Loop is routed to a crossing of Pescadero Road and the parking lot.
For a short side trip, visit the adjacent Heritage Grove, which is accessible on Alpine Road.
User Groups: Hikers only. No dogs, horses, or mountain bikes. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. A parking fee of $5 is charged per vehicle.
Maps: PDF at website. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for La Honda.
Directions: From San Francisco, take I-280 south and drive 20 miles to Woodside and the exit for Highway 84/Woodside Road. Take that exit, turn west (right) on Woodside Road, and drive 2.8 miles to Woodside. Continue straight on Woodside Road/Highway 84 for 10 miles (continue straight at Sky Londa at Skyline) to La Honda and continue a short distance to Pescadero Road on left. Turn left and drive 1.1 miles to Redwood Triangle and Pescadero Creek Road. Bear right and drive 0.7 mile to park entrance and parking on right.
Heritage Grove: At Redwood Triangle, turn southeast (right if emerging from San McDonald; left if approaching Sam McDonald from La Honda) on Alpine Road and drive short distance to Heritage Grove on right.
Coastal option: From Half Moon Bay, take Highway 1 south for 10 miles to San Gregorio and Highway 84. Turn left on 84 and drive 8.3 miles to Pescadero Road. Turn right and drive 1.1 miles to Redwood Triangle and Pescadero Creek Road. Bear right and drive 0.7 mile to park entrance on right.
Contact: Sam McDonald County Park, 650/879-0238; San Mateo County Parks Department, 650/363-4020, http://parks.smcgov.org.
3.0 mi/1.5 hr
in Pescadero Marsh south of Pescadero
On one side of the road is Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve. On the other is Pescadero State Beach. Pescadero Marsh is a 600-acre wetland and lagoon fed by Pescadero Creek that is home for blue herons, egrets, and owls, and resting habitat for many migratory shorebirds. A dirt path, the North Pond Trail, ventures into the wetlands to Audubon Marsh and the edge of the lagoon and provides a three-mile hike. Roughly 200 migratory species of shorebirds, waterfowl, and raptors have been verified here. Deer and rabbits are common. Fox, skunk, and badger occasionally sighted.
A great easy trip is a three-mile loop through the marsh. From the parking area, take the North Pond Trail to Audubon Marsh. For some this is all they need, but it gets better if you return on the Sequoia Trail. The route traces the edge of the marsh and then heads along Pescadero Creek. This dirt path ventures through the heart of the wetlands and provides a good chance to see many birds, as well as occasional deer.
Pescadero Marsh is located just east of Highway 1 along Pescadero Creek, 15 miles south of Half Moon Bay. Just across the highway from Pescadero Marsh is the parking lot and access point for Pescadero State Beach.
User Groups: Hikers only. No dogs, horses, or mountain bikes. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A map is available from Half Moon Bay State Parks. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for San Gregorio.
Directions: From the Peninsula in San Mateo, take Highway 92 west to Half Moon Bay. Turn south on Highway 1 and drive 17 miles to Pescadero Road. Turn left and drive about 0.25 mile to the parking area and trailhead on the left.
Contact: Pescadero State Beach, 650/879-2170; Half Moon Bay State Parks, 650/726-8820, www.parks.ca.gov.
5.0 mi/2.75 hr
in Butano State Park near Pescadero
If you love redwoods and ferns but are also partial to sun and warm afternoons, the Mill Ox Loop at Butano State Park may be the ideal hike for you. Why? The Mill Ox Loop provides a tour through deep redwoods and amid open sun, both in good doses.
To find the Mill Ox Trailhead, drive past the entry kiosk and continue ahead into the redwoods and look for the signed trailhead on your left. You park on the road’s shoulder. The trail starts where you cross a small creek in a dense redwood forest, then heads up a very steep grade on switchbacks, emerging at the top of the canyon on Butano Fire Road. Some readers emailed that they were stunned at how steep this section is, but the climb is very short and the worst of it is over quickly.
At the Butano Fire Road, turn right. You will climb gradually as you head east toward the park’s interior. The fire road gets plenty of sun, and plenty of shirts come off en route to 1,138 feet. At a few spots, if you turn and look back to the west, you have views of the Pacific Ocean. Continue to a junction with Jackson Flats Trail, turn right for the return loop. Here the trail descends quite steeply over a bare rock and sandstone facing for 0.25 mile, then links to a pretty dirt path. You then drop into Butano Canyon and the surrounding redwood forest. The forest is lush and beautiful as you return to the start point, where you walk past ferns, trillium, redwoods, and plenty of wild iris. This is one of our favorites.
User Groups: Hikers only. No dogs, horses, or mountain bikes. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. A state park entrance fee of $10 is charged per vehicle.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the entrance station. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Franklin Point.
Directions: Take I-280 south to Daly City and the split for Highway 1/Pacifica. Follow Highway 1 south for 20 miles to Half Moon Bay. Continue south on Highway 1 for 15.2 miles to Pescadero Creek Road. Turn left and drive 2.5 miles (through Pescadero) to Cloverdale Road. Turn right and go 4.4 miles to park entrance road on left. Turn left and drive short distance to park entrance and kiosk.
From East Bay/Peninsula: From San Mateo, take Highway 92 west to Half Moon Bay and Highway 1. Turn left on Highway 1 and continue as above.
Contact: Butano State Park, 650/879-2040; Half Moon Bay State Parks, 650/726-8820, www.parks.ca.gov.
10.0 mi/2 days
in Butano State Park near Pescadero
The Bay Area’s most hidden and least known campground is Butano’s backpack campground, Trail Camp. Seven pretty sites are set in forest just below the west-facing Butano rim at 1,550 feet. The prettiest site is No. 7, set amid towering Douglas firs. It takes a five-mile hike with a 1,500-foot climb to get here. Near the park entrance, take the Jackson Flats Trail. This is routed east uphill for 2.75 miles to the Canyon Trail. Take the left fork for the Canyon Trail, which rises steeply at times, up to the camp.
Just above the Trail Camp, you will find a route that connects to the Butano Fire Road. If you head to the left (northwest), you can find an abandoned airstrip. At the end of the old strip, there are great views to the west of the Butano Canyon and beyond to the coast.
The heart of this park is a deep redwood canyon. From here, you can launch off on adventures that explore the slopes up to the horseshoe-shaped mountain rim. On the canyon floor, the place is cool, quiet, and lush. On the canyon rim, peer across a sea of conifers below to glimpses of the Pacific Ocean.
Note: No drinking water is available. You must pump-filter water from a creek located 0.25 mile from camp. In drought years, it can go dry.
Messing with your mind: Butano is not pronounced "Bew-TAH-no," but rather "Bute-UH-no."
User Groups: Hikers only. No dogs, horses, or mountain bikes. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: Trail camp fee and permits are required at the entrance station or visitors center (adjacent to entrance station). A state park entrance fee of $10 is charged per vehicle. Register at entrance station; no reservations are accepted.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the entrance station. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Franklin Point.
Directions: Take I-280 south to Daly City and the split on right for Highway 1/Pacifica. Follow Highway 1 south for 20 miles to Half Moon Bay. Continue south on Highway 1 for 15.2 miles to Pescadero Creek Road. Turn left and drive 2.5 miles (through Pescadero) to Cloverdale Road. Turn right and go 4.4 miles to park entrance road on left. Turn left and drive short distance to park entrance and kiosk.
From East Bay and Peninsula: From San Mateo, take Highway 92 west to Half Moon Bay and Highway 1. Turn left on Highway 1 and continue as above.
Contact: Butano State Park, 650/879-2040; Half Moon Bay State Parks, 650/726-8820, www.parks.ca.gov.
11.0 mi/1-2 days
in Butano State Park near Pescadero
This is one of the great rides on a mountain bike or on a horse, a 10. For hiking, the first half of the route on a fire road makes it a 9. Start at the Mill Ox trailhead, at an elevation of 200 feet. Hike up the steep grade (the steepest part of the trip) for a short distance to the Butano Fire Road (700 feet). Turn right and away you go. From here, trace the rim of Butano Canyon, and enjoy views of the redwood-filled valley (below) and the Pacific Ocean (behind you and off to the west). The trail climbs steadily before reaching 1,713 feet, where it crosses a short spur to an old, abandoned, overgrown airstrip on the ridgeline (at the west end of the air strip, there’s a great view to the west overlooking the Butano Canyon). Just past the airstrip, the trail enters forest. A signed cutoff on the right provides a short spur to the Butano Trail Camp (at 1,550 feet). If you were to stay overnight, this would make a first-day total of 5.5 miles.
This is the halfway point and the rest of the trip is more sheltered. Turn right on the Olmo Fire Road and then hike out to the Doe Ridge/Goat Hill Trails, which drop back down into the Butano Canyon and the starting point. Much of this second half of the route is a soft dirt trail amid redwoods, and it laterals and descends into the south side of Butano Canyon.
User Groups: Hikers, bikes, horses to Trail Camp. No bikes on single track after Trail Camp (bikes have access to China Grade and other routes). No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: For camping, trail camp permits are required at the entrance station or visitors center (adjacent to entrance station). A state park entrance fee of $10 is charged per vehicle.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the entrance station. For a free trail map, contact Butano State Park. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Franklin Point.
Directions: Take I-280 to Daly City and the split for Highway 1/Pacifica. Follow Highway 1 south for 20 miles to Half Moon Bay. Continue south on Highway 1 for 15.2 miles to Pescadero Creek Road. Turn left and drive 2.5 miles (through Pescadero) to Cloverdale Road. Turn right and go 4.4 miles to park entrance road on left. Turn left and drive short distance to park entrance and kiosk.
From East Bay/Peninsula: Drive to San Mateo and the junction with Highway 92. Take Highway 92 west over Crystal Springs Reservoir, and then continue eight miles to Half Moon Bay and Highway 1. Turn left on Highway 1 and continue as above.
Contact: Butano State Park, 650/879-2040; Half Moon Bay State Parks, 650/726-8820, www.parks.ca.gov.
2.75 mi/1.5 hr
in Butano State Park near Pescadero
The Año Nuevo Trail to the lookout climbs 730 feet in less than a mile. It’s one of the steepest stretches of trails on the coast. On the ridge, a park bench offers a place to sit and catch your breath, as well as a glimpse of Año Nuevo Island. Continue on Año Nuevo Trail to the junction with the Goat Hill Trail. Turn left and drop down steeply back into the canyon to complete the loop. Although short, this hike provides a good climb and a chance to walk through redwoods on the return descent. It’s not unusual to see pileated woodpeckers on this loop.
User Groups: Hikers only. No dogs, horses, or mountain bikes. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. A day-use fee of $10 is charged per vehicle.
Maps: For a free trail map, contact Butano State Park. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Franklin Point.
Directions: Take I-280 south to Daly City and the split on right for Highway 1/Pacifica. Follow Highway 1 south for 20 miles to Half Moon Bay. Continue south on Highway 1 for 15.2 miles to Pescadero Creek Road. Turn left and drive 2.5 miles (through Pescadero) to Cloverdale Road. Turn right and go 4.4 miles to park entrance road on left. Turn left and drive short distance to park entrance and kiosk. The trailhead is on the right (south).
From East Bay/Peninsula: Drive to San Mateo and the junction with Highway 92. Take Highway 92 west over Crystal Springs Reservoir, and then continue eight miles to Half Moon Bay and Highway 1. Turn left on Highway 1 and continue as above.
Contact: Butano State Park, 650/879-2040; Half Moon Bay State Parks, 650/726-8820, www.parks.ca.gov.
12.5 mi/1 day
in Portola Redwoods State Park
Portola Redwoods State Park is highlighted by a site we call “The Bay Area’s Lost World,” the remote Peters Creek Grove of old-growth redwoods. The grove is nestled in a distant canyon where the forest floor is covered with wall-to-wall sorrel. A few of the giants are 30-35 feet around; several are more than 200 feet tall.
The hike to the Peters Creek Grove is about a 12.5-mile round-trip with two grind-it-out climbs. From park headquarters it’s a 5.5-mile trek up 1,000 feet to a ridge; you then plummet 600 feet into a deep canyon to connect to a one-mile loop trail that runs along each side of Peters Creek and amid the giant trees.
Since it is a long drive to reach Portola Redwoods, one option is to camp at a trail site (Slate Creek) 2.4 miles out from headquarters. It is located on the route out to Peters Creek Grove.
Permits: No permits are required. A state park entrance fee of $10 is charged per vehicle; pay at the visitors center.
Maps: A map/brochure is available at the visitors center. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Mindego Hill.
Directions: From San Francisco, take I-280 south and drive 20 miles to Woodside and the exit for Highway 84/Woodside Road. Take that exit, turn west (right) on Woodside Road, and drive 2.8 miles to Woodside. Continue straight on Woodside Road/Highway 84 for 5.8 miles to Sky Londa. Continue straight for 6.7 miles to La Honda, then a short distance to Pescadero Road on the left. Turn left and drive 1.1 miles to Redwood Triangle and Alpine Road. Turn left on Alpine Road and drive four miles (slow, narrow, twisty; 1.2 miles to Heritage Grove on right) to Portola State Park Road. Turn right (still twisty) and drive three miles to park entrance. Continue 0.5 mile to visitors center.
Contact: Portola Redwoods State Park, La Honda, 650/948-9098, www.parks.ca.gov.
3.0 mi/1.5 hr
in Point Pinole Regional Shoreline
On the Bay View Loop, you can walk several miles along the shore of San Pablo Bay, or on a wood bluff overlooking the shore, and take in a beautiful view of water, passing ships, and birds. The trip is unique from the start, where you park at the entrance station and catch a shuttle bus to the shoreline. There you will find a long, pretty, cobbled beach and beautiful views of San Pablo Bay, Marin, and Mount Tamalpais. An excellent fishing pier is also here. This is the launch point. Make sure you head out to the end of the pier to take in the water views and see if anybody has caught a sturgeon or striped bass.
Then take the Bay Trail. It is perched on a bluff above the cobbled beach. Along the way are beautiful glimpses of San Pablo Bay. The long distance views across the bay of the Marin shoreline backed by Mt. Tamalpais are exceptional. To turn this into a three-mile loop, turn back (left) on the Woods Trail. This trail is routed through a small eucalyptus forest, with occasional remnants of the dynamite era, a few small buildings, and pretty dirt roads. The trail eventually returns to the staging area.
A highlight of Point Pinole Regional Shoreline is a long, undisturbed stretch of shoreline on a cobbled beach along San Pablo Bay. The stone beach is unparalleled, as if this were the final resting place of every stone ever cast in the bay. It is a quiet place, where you can watch passing ships, go for an easy hike, take a dog for a walk, or fish from the pier. Yet the defining landscape feature of the park is the Hayward Fault—marked by the cliffs and Point Pinole itself as it goes out to sea.
In the World War II era, this was the site of the Giant Powder Company, that is, dynamite manufacturers. This was their fourth site in the Bay Area after factories blew up in San Francisco, South San Francisco, and Albany. So no one wanted to be anywhere near the place. The dynamite company built all the present trails and roads, planted eucalyptus trees, and is responsible for the basic layout of the park.
User Groups: Hikers, dogs, horses, and mountain bikes. The trail is partially wheelchair-accessible.
Permits: No permits are required. A $3 day-use fee is charged on weekends when the kiosk is attended. The shuttle costs $1 round-trip for people ages 12 through 61; it’s free for seniors, and $0.50 for youngsters 6 through 11. There is a fee for dogs ($2) on weekends.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, ext. 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Point Pinole Regional Shoreline brochure. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Richmond.
Directions: Take I-80 to Pinole and the exit for Fitzgerald Drive to Richmond Parkway. Take that exit to Richmond Parkway and drive 1.3 miles to Atlas Road. Turn right on Atlas and drive 0.9 mile to Giant Road. Turn left on Giant and drive 0.5 mile to the park entrance on the right. Take the shuttle to the Point Pinole Pier, and trailhead.
Contact: Point Pinole Regional Park, 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
4.0 mi/2.0 hr
in Crockett Hills Regional Park near Crockett
The highlights at Crockett Hills Regional Park are the ridge-top views, good prospects of seeing golden eagles, and well hidden valley. There are five foothill peaks where you get sweeping views of San Pablo Bay. From the hilltops, you can see across Carquinez Strait, the Lower Delta, and to the west, a pretty silhouette of Mount Tamalpais. There is also a pretty valley from where you can often see golden eagles fly, hover, and search for ground squirrels.
From the staging area, take the Edwards Loop Trail for a short climb to the tunnel at the Cummings Skyway. Walk through the tunnel, and on the other side, take the Soaring Eagle Trail (also signed as Bay Area Ridge Trail). It contours on the foothills and weaves its way around to valleys to the Sky Trail. Turn left on Sky Trail and return to the tunnel to complete the loop.
For a bonus, at the junction of Soaring Eagle Trail and Sky Trail, turn right and within 15 minutes, you’ll reach the Big Valley Trail, on the right. This is where we’ve seen a mated pair of golden eagles who often hunt and hover here at midmorning as the air temperature warms.
In the remote southern section of the park, you’ll notice that birds flourish here. A ravine with a small, unnamed pond edged by cattails is a sanctuary for redwing blackbirds, many small songbirds, and kestrels, the smallest bird of prey in North America. It turns out that the wildlife habitat here supports all levels of the wildlife food chain.
User Groups: Hikers, mountain bikes, horses, and dogs. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, ext. 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Crockett Hills brochure.
Directions: From Concord: Take Highway 4 west to the exit for Cummings Skyway/Vallejo-Crockett. Take that exit to Cummings Skyway and drive about 2.5 miles to Crockett Boulevard. Turn right and drive 0.7 mile to the staging area on the left.
From San Francisco: Take I-80 east to Crockett and Exit 27 for Port Costa/Crockett. Take that exit to Pomona Street. Turn left on Pomona and drive to Crockett Boulevard. Turn right to the staging area on the right.
Contact: Crockett Hills Regional Park, 925/228-0112 or 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
2.0 mi/1.75 hr
at Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline near Martinez
It seems that everybody starts at the Negedly Staging Area and its big parking lot and restroom. Instead, drive another 1.5 miles on Carquinez Scenic Drive. You’ll see a gated trailhead/road on the left. Pullouts are available along the road to park. From here, you walk along a ranch road (a seasonal creek, often dry, is on your right) to a sharp left turn. You turn left and climb, steep but short on the Franklin Ridge Loop Trail. After about 10 minutes, you emerge over a sub-ridge and in a valley. At one spot, you can see a silhouette of the lookout bench, under an oak, on a hilltop to your left. The trail then cuts off to your left and climbs a short distance to the hilltop vista point. If you have a dog, keep them on a leash here because the trail is edged by sharp star thistles. The bench is shaded on the ridge and is a great site for a trail picnic. As you gain the hill the view over Martinez and Carquinez Strait is revealed all at once. On one side, you tower over Martinez and the Carquinez Strait, with long-distance views across Suisun Bay, the Mothball Fleet, and beyond to the Lower Delta. On another side, you see across to Benicia and west to San Pablo Bay and beyond to Mount Burdell. To the south are pretty rolling foothills, golden brown, where you often sight black-tailed deer.
Sunsets can be absolutely spectacular here in winter, often with sunlight refracted through distant stratus and a dark silhouette of Mount Tamalpais. Even after sunset, it remains pretty as the lights of the Benicia Bridge and nearby towns take hold.
The park covers 2,795 acres, most of it foothill country, with oaks, short ridges, and ravines. It is wild enough to provide habitat for wildlife; red-tailed hawks and deer are the most common. At dusk, it’s possible to see great horned owls, kestrels, and occasionally even golden eagles.
User Groups: Hikers, dogs, horses, and mountain bikes. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline brochure. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Benicia.
Directions: From San Francisco, take I-80 East over Bay Bridge six miles (get in center/left lane) to split for 80-580/24. Stay left on I-80 East and drive about 15 miles to the exit for Highway 4 East. Take that exit, merge onto Highway 4 and drive 8.7 miles to the exit for Alhambra Avenue/Martinez. Take that exit to Alhambra Avenue, turn left and go 2.1 miles to Buckley Street. Turn left on Buckley and continue 0.1 mile to Talbart Street. Turn right on Talbart and go three blocks to Carquinez Scenic Drive. Turn left and go 1.2 miles to Alhambra Cemetery on right, or continue short distance to Nejedly Staging Area (signed on left), and continue another 1.5 miles to gated trailhead on left (park at dirt pullouts).
Contact: Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline, 925/228-0112 or 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
2.0 mi/1.0 hr
at Martinez Regional Shoreline near Martinez
You can change your world in just 2.5 miles of driving, from highway to park. Some might view Martinez Regional Shoreline and the nearby marina as a destination for locals only. Wrong. It provides a surprise escape hatch from the push-push-push on I-680 or Highway 4, only minutes away.
From the parking area off North Court Street, take the Killdeer Trail 0.25 mile to the Boardwalk Trail, turn left and walk a short distance to gorgeous Arch Bridge. It crosses Alhambra Creek and provides an elevated view of the wetlands. Then continue ahead, tidal wetlands to your left, Carquinez Strait to your right, and bear right on the Pickleweed Trail. The trail leads out to water’s edge, 1.4 miles round-trip. You can extend another quarter mile on the Pickleweed Trail (it jogs left for a short distance) to a waterfront picnic site; two miles round-trip. The rewards are beautiful shoreline trails with water views, wildlife preserves for waterfowl, marine birds and songbirds, and a fishing pier set in the path of migratory striped bass and resident flounder. For those rushing to get in or out of the Bay Area, stop the clock and enjoy this trip.
Martinez Regional Shoreline and adjacent Waterfront Park are located on the banks of Carquinez Strait near downtown Martinez, just west of the Carquinez Bridge. While the parks are popular among locals for picnics, bocce ball, soccer, and softball, it shines best as a wetland preserve with several pretty trails with waterfront views.
Side trip: If you continue on North Court Street (past the entrance to Martinez Regional Shoreline), it leads to parking for the duck pond (on left) and the fishing pier (straight ahead). If you turn right on Tarantino Drive, it leads to access for the ball fields (on right) and dead-ends at a short trail to an observation platform for bird-watching.
User Groups: Hikers and mountain bikes. No horses or dogs. The restrooms are wheelchair-accessible, but the trail is not.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, call the East Bay Regional Park District (888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Martinez Regional Shoreline brochure). For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Benicia.
Directions: Take I-80 to Exit 23 for Highway 4. Take that exit to Highway 4 and drive 8.7 miles to Exit 9 for Alhambra Avenue toward Martinez. Take that exit, turn left on Alhambra and go 2.1 miles to Marina Vista Avenue. Turn right on Marina Vista and go a short distance to Ferry Street. Turn left on Ferry Street and go a short distance to Joe DiMaggio Drive. Turn right and go a short distance to North Court Street. Turn left and drive to end: parking and Martinez Regional Shoreline is on left, fishing pier is ahead, marina is on right, Martinez Waterfront Park is on right.
Contact: Martinez Regional Shoreline, 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
1.0 mi/0.75 hr
in Miller-Knox Regional Shoreline west of Richmond
A little-known lookout over San Francisco Bay is the highlight of Miller-Knox Regional Shoreline, and getting to it requires only a short hike and climb. This parkland covers 260 acres of hill and shoreline property at Point Richmond, where strong afternoon winds in the summer create excellent conditions for kite flying. Whereas most people just make the short stroll along Keller Beach, this hike is preferred for the view. From the parking area, it leads about 0.5 mile up Old Country Road and Marine View Trail, making a right turn on Crest Trail to reach the False Gun Vista Point. In the process, the trail climbs 300 feet to the lookout, at 322 feet. On clear days, you get picture-perfect views of San Francisco Bay and its many surrounding landmarks. Most people enjoy a landscaped picnic area with pretty views of the North Bay. Take it the extra mile, literally.
User Groups: Hikers and dogs. No horses or mountain bikes. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Miller-Knox Regional Shoreline brochure. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for San Quentin.
Directions: From Berkeley: Drive north on I-80 to the exit for I-580 west. Take the exit for I-580 west to Canal Boulevard (lighted). Turn left on Canal Boulevard and drive 0.75 mile to Seacliff Drive. Turn right on Seacliff and drive 1.5 miles (Seacliff Drive becomes Brickyard Cove Road) to Dornan Drive. Turn right on Dornan and drive 0.5 mile to the parking entrance on the left.
Contact: Miller-Knox Regional Shoreline, 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
1.0 mi/0.75 hr
at Point Isabel Regional Shoreline near Berkeley
When it comes to California bests, Point Isabel ranks right at the top for best parks to bring a doggy. Half a million dogs a year visit Point Isabel Shoreline, the ultimate dog park in California, complete with showers, tennis balls, and treats. It’s good for people, too. Beautiful bay-front views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate—plus the fact that it’s a popular place to walk dogs—attract visitors to this stretch of shore. From the parking area, the trail extends northward along the shore of the bay, then east along Hoffman Channel, where it meets the Bay Trail, and offers great views of Hoffman Marsh. The best time to see birds here is in the fall, when year-round residents are joined by migratory species. Point Isabel extends into San Francisco Bay just north of Golden Gate Fields Racetrack, and the 21-acre park provides an easy shoreline walk, rich bird-watching opportunities, and those great views.
User Groups: Hikers and dogs. No horses or mountain bikes. The restrooms and trail are wheelchair-accessible.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Point Isabel Regional Shoreline brochure. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Richmond.
Directions: From I-80 in south Richmond, take the Central Avenue exit and drive west to Isabel Street. Turn right and drive to the parking area, at the end of the road.
Contact: Point Isabel Regional Shoreline, 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
6.2 mi/3.5 hr
in Wildcat Canyon Regional Park
Of all the views of San Francisco Bay, this is certainly one of the best. From San Pablo Ridge, you get an eye-popping view of San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz, and across to the Golden Gate Bridge. Up on top, you can see south to Rocky Ridge as Las Tampas Regional Wilderness, and northwest across San Pablo Bay to a silhouette of Mount Tamalpais. From the parking area, start the trip by hiking up the Belgum Trail. Turn right at San Pablo Ridge and climb about 750 feet over the course of 2.5 miles. Once on top, slow down and enjoy the cruise. You will find a series of hilltops to climb for 360-degreee panoramas. Make sure you do this. To loop around, head back on Mezue Trail, then right again on Wildcat Creek Trail, and walk back to the parking area.
It takes a short grunt of a hike to get to the top, but you’ll find it well worth the grunting. These hilltops offer gorgeous views and can also be accessed out of Tilden Regional Park from Inspiration Point on Nimitz Way.
User Groups: Hikers, dogs, horses, and mountain bikes. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Wildcat Canyon Regional Park brochure. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Richmond.
Directions: Take I-80 to Richmond and the exit to Solano Avenue. Take that exit a short distance to fork, keep left at fork (signed for Solano) and merge onto Amador Street. Continue on Amador for 0.4 mile (second stop sign) to McBryde Avenue. Turn right and drive 0.3 mile to parking (signed) on left.
Contact: Wildcat Canyon Regional Park, 510/544-3092 or 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
0.7 mi/0.5 hr
in the Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area
Kennedy Grove is set at the base of San Pablo Dam, where visitors will discover a rich grove of eucalyptus adjacent to a large lawn/meadow. This loop hike takes hikers through the eucalyptus and then back, skirting the lawn areas. It is best hiked in a clockwise direction, departing from the trailhead at the gate in the northeast corner of the parking area. This is the kind of park where people toss Frisbees, pass footballs, or play low-key games of softball.
User Groups: Hikers, dogs, and horses. No mountain bikes on the Seafoam Trail. Restrooms and a short walking path at park’s main lawn area are wheelchair-accessible.
Permits: No permits are required. An entrance fee of $5 per vehicle is charged when the kiosk is attended; $2 for dogs.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, ext. 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area brochure. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Richmond.
Directions: From I-80 in Richmond, take the San Pablo Dam Road exit. Turn east and drive through El Sobrante for 3.5 miles to the park entrance (0.25 mile south of intersection of Castro Ranch Road), on the left. Follow the pavement to the northwestern parking lot.
From Highway 24 in Orinda, turn north on Camino Pablo and drive north along San Pablo Reservoir to the park entrance (one mile past main entrance to San Pablo Recreation Area), on the right.
Contact: Kennedy Grove Regional Park, 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
1.6 mi/1.0 hr
in the Sobrante Ridge Regional Preserve
Sobrante Ridge Park covers 277 acres of a former ranch that spans across rolling hills, open ridgeline, and wooded ravines. This hike accesses the best of it. From the trailhead at Coach Drive, take Sobrante Ridge Trail, which rises in an elliptical half loop to the left. After 0.7 mile, you will come to the junction with Broken Oaks Trail. Turn left here and make the short loop (less than 0.25 mile long), and then retrace your steps on Sobrante Ridge Trail. The best of it is on top of the ridge. You get a pretty view of San Pablo Bay across to Mount Tamalpais. This walk provides an easy yet intimate look at one of the Bay Area’s key parklands, a link to open space.
User Groups: Hikers, dogs, horses, and mountain bikes. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Sobrante Ridge Regional Preserve brochure. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Briones Valley.
Directions: Take I-80 to Richmond and the exit for San Pablo Dam Road. Take that exit to San Pablo Dam and drive south for three miles (through El Sobrante) to Castro Ranch Road. Turn left on Castro Ranch Road and drive about two miles to Conestoga Way. Turn left on Conestoga and drive to Carriage Drive. Turn left on Carriage and go two blocks to Coach Way. Turn right and proceed to the park entrance and parking area, at the end of the road.
Contact: Sobrante Ridge Regional Preserve, 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
5.6 mi/3.25 hr
in Briones Regional Park north of Lafayette
Briones Regional Park is a vast wildland with a mosaic of trails for short walks, ambitious treks, mountain biking, and horseback riding. It is crowned by 1,483-foot Briones Peak and its great views. In spring, the hills practically glow, alive with wildflowers, one of the best parks in Northern California. From parking, start on the Alhambra Creek Trail and Spengler Trail (turn right) to Old Briones Road Trail. Turn left and hike a half mile to Briones Crest Trail. Turn left again and you will rise to Briones Peak in less than a mile. To complete the loop, turn left on the Spengler Trail (it bends to the left), then right on Diablo View Trail, 1.1 miles back to parking.
From 1,483-foot Briones Peak, you get a rare panorama of miles of rolling foothills that extends far beyond to Mount Diablo, the west Delta, and Suisun Bay. At the end of the loop, on the Diablo View Trail, you get a southeast-facing lookout that spans across the I-680 corridor, past Shell Ridge, and across the northwest slopes of Mount Diablo.
Briones is an island wilderness, bordered to the north by Martinez and the Highway 4 corridor, east by Walnut Creek and I-680, and south by Lafayette and Highway 24. The park spans 6,255 acres that stretch west past Briones Reservoir and beyond to San Pablo Reservoir.
User Groups: Hikers, dogs, and horses. Mountain bikes are allowed on all but the last mile of the loop. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. An entrance fee of $3 per vehicle is charged when the kiosk is attended (there are five entrances at Briones, and only two have kiosks); $2 for dogs.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Briones Regional Park brochure. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Briones Valley.
Directions: From I-680 north of Pleasant Hill, take Highway 4 west for three miles to the Alhambra Avenue exit. Turn south on Alhambra Avenue, drive for 0.5 mile, and bear right onto Alhambra Valley Road. Drive another mile to Reliez Valley Road. Turn left and follow Reliez Valley Road 0.5 mile to the park entrance. Turn right and drive 0.5 mile to the parking area. Look for the trailhead indicating Alhambra Creek Trail.
From San Francisco, take the Bay Bridge east 6.4 miles (stay to the far right) to the split and I-580. Bear right on I-580 (stay to the far right) and go 1.6 miles to the exit for Highway 24. Take Highway 24 east, drive 0.9 mile to merge with Highway 24, and then continue 11.2 miles to the exit for Pleasant Hill Road. Take that exit 0.1 mile, keep left and continue 0.2 mile to fork, and then bear right, merge onto Pleasant Hill Road and drive two miles to Taylor Boulevard (stay left). Keep left on Taylor and drive 2.1 miles to Grayson Road. Turn left on Grayson and drive 0.5 mile to Reliez Valley Road. Turn right and drive 1.6 miles to park entrance road (Brookwood Drive) on left. Turn left and drive 0.5 mile to park, trailhead for Alhambra Creek Trail.
Contact: Briones Regional Park, 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
10.0 mi/4.0 hr
in Tilden Regional Park in the Berkeley hills
You are rewarded whether you walk (or ride) five minutes or five hours, or whether you are making your first visit or your 100th. In the first five minutes, you will reach a bench with a gorgeous view to the west over Meadows Canyon and beyond across the hills to the bay. The trail is paved for 4.1 miles and then turns to dirt and arrives at a gate. Continue through the gate; ahead of you, you’ll see a towering hilltop. Walk to the top of that. You get a fantastic panorama of San Pablo Bay, San Francisco Bay, and silhouettes of distant peaks and landmarks across to San Francisco.
Nimitz Way is paved with a center divider, with space on the shoulder, to accommodate all users. Mile markers are posted for joggers. What I do is ride a mountain bike past the gate and into Wildcat Regional Park (five miles), then drop the bike and hike to a hilltop for a view. This is one of the best bike-and-hikes in the Bay Area.
When you depart from Inspiration Point, look for the small grove of conifers on the left. Then look closer. Yep, they are giant sequoia redwoods.
User Groups: Hikers, dogs, horses, and mountain bikes. The trail is partially wheelchair-accessible.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Tilden Regional Park brochure. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Briones Valley.
Directions: From San Francisco, take the Bay Bridge east for 6.4 miles (stay far right) to the split and I-580. Bear right on 580 (stay far right) and go 1.5 miles to exit for Highway 24. Take Highway 24 and go seven miles (through tunnel) to Orinda and Exit 9/Moraga. Take that exit to stoplight at Camino Pablo. Turn left on Camino Pablo and go 2.3 miles to Wildcat Canyon Road. Turn left and go 2.4 miles to Inspiration Point and parking on the right. The parking lot often fills on weekends and afternoons, but turnover is high and spots often become quickly available.
From Walnut Creek, take Highway 24 east for 8.1 miles to Orinda and the exit for Camino Pablo Road. Take that exit, merge north on Camino Pablo Road and drive two miles to Wildcat Canyon Road. Turn left and drive 2.4 miles to Inspiration Point and parking on the right.
Contact: Tilden Regional Park, 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
0.4 mile/1.0 hr
in Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley hills
If you have ever seen a flower, plant, or tree and wondered what the heck it was, you can get the answers on this walk. The Regional Parks District has carved out a 10-acre parcel at Tilden in the Berkeley Hills, creating areas that represent 10 distinctive California landscapes and their respective flora. So what you get is a capsule look at the state’s 160,000 square miles over the course of a walk that takes 1-2 hours—and the answer to your question.
Start at the visitors center, then plan a counterclockwise route. From the visitors center, turn left and then turn in a right-bending horseshoe—you’ll end up in a landscape that resembles the high Sierra. As you walk over a creek on a wood bridge, bear right through some hardwoods, emerging at what looks exactly like a Sierra meadow at 10,000 feet near Bishop Pass—complete with aspens, fir, meadow, and what could be an old miner’s cabin. The adventure provides a series of such discoveries. The landscape’s captures include Pacific Rain Forest, Southern California Desert, Sea Bluff, Shasta-Klamath, and Valley-Foothills.
The site has 1,500 plant, tree, and wildflower species, including 300 endangered species, including virtually all of the state’s oaks, conifers, ceanothus, and manzanita species. One phenomenon of creating a mini-California is that, just like in the great outdoors across the state, there are blooming wildflowers over a seven-month period, depending on landscape. Typical blooms in April, for instance, are Douglas iris, ceanothus, monkeyflower, poppy, and blue dicks. In May and June, mariposa tulips, western azalea, fireweed, and columbines, among many others, are at peak blooms.
User Groups: Hikers only. No dogs, horses, and mountain bikes. The trail is partially wheelchair-accessible.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the visitors center. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Tilden Regional Park brochure.
Directions: Take Highway 24 to Orinda and the exit for Camino Pablo. Take that exit to Camino Pablo, turn north (left if coming from Berkeley, right if coming from Walnut Creek) and drive two miles to Wildcat Canyon Road. Turn left and go 3.7 miles to a junction with South Park Drive. Bear right for 20 yards to a parking lot across the road to the botanic gardens. Walk across the road to the signed entrance.
Contact: Regional Parks Botanic Garden, 510/544-3169 or 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
2.7 mi/1.5 hr
in Briones Regional Park north of Orinda
Little Abrigo Falls, the Bay Area’s smallest waterfall (anything smaller is not a waterfall) and often one of the most elusive (and for some, most disappointing), can be the missing piece in a hiker’s waterfall list. It goes dry in summer and fall, but it is a pretty little chute after heavy rains in winter. Start your hike at the Oak Grove picnic area at the trailhead for Abrigo Valley Trailhead. Continue past the Maud Whalen campsite 0.9 mile to the Wee-Ta-Chi campsite, and then continue 0.4 mile to the cutoff spur on the right to Abrigo Falls
You’ll hike amid grasslands, oaks, and bays, and along canyons and creeks with riparian habitat. Watch for deer, red-tailed hawks, and golden eagles. Coyotes, foxes, bobcats, and mountain lions are seen occasionally, usually at dusk. A picnic area is available near the trailhead.
User Groups: Hikers, dogs, and horses. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. An entrance fee of $3 per vehicle is charged when the kiosk is attended (there are five entrances at Briones, and only two have kiosks); there is a $2 fee for dogs.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Briones Regional Park brochure. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Briones Valley.
Directions: Take Highway 24 for 7.5 miles to Orinda and the exit for Camino Pablo North. Take Camino Pablo North for 2.2 miles to Bear Creek Road on right. Turn right on Bear Creek Road and drive to the signed turnoff on right for Bear Creek Staging Area (if you reach Alhambra Valley Road, you have gone too far). Turn right and drive past the Bear Creek Staging Area to the Oak Grove Picnic Area and trailhead.
Contact: Briones Regional Park, 888/327-2757 or 925/370-3020; East Bay Regional Park District, 888/327-2757, www.ebparks.org.
3.0 mi/1.5 hr
in Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve
A trek through a volcanic complex that dates 10.2 million years old is the pay-off on this adventure. Your destination is Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, the Bay Area’s best example of ancient volcanic geology. To see it, hike the Round Top Trail to the Volcanic Trail for a loop hike through the volcanic center of the park. For much of the trek, you walk amid prehistoric lava rock. Yet the park is easy to reach and within close range of many on both sides of the bay and along the Highway 24 corridor.
There are some side-trip options as well. Hike up the short, paved cutoff road to the water tank (signed on the map) for a sweeping view of a series of volcanic formations and your destinations on the Volcanic Trail. Few take advantage of this. You can also take a self-guided volcanic tour at the park, a 1.8-mile volcanic interpretive loop with numbered signposts, and many short cutoff trails. Mount Round Top, you can learn, was an infilling of a great crater and was tilted to the side by strains on the Hayward and Moraga fault systems.
In addition, the drive up features a series of pullouts along the west side of Grizzly Peak Boulevard for sensational lookouts below of the Bay Bridge, San Francisco Bay, and dozens of landmarks. These roadside vistas are among the best places in California to see a sunset.
The big dud is 1,763-foot Round Top Peak, the highest point in the park. It’s a short, steep walk on a paved road to the top. Your “reward” is a series of transmitter stations and antennas, and views blocked by trees.
User Groups: Hikers and dogs. Partially accessible for wheelchairs, horses, and mountain bikes. Mountain bikes OK on Skyline Trail between parking and Old Tunnel Road, paved roads, and fire trails. No bikes permitted on Round Top Road above cutoff on Skyline Trail, or Skyline Trail heading south, and Volcanic Loop (rules signed).
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve brochure. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Briones Valley.
Directions: From the East Bay, take Highway 24 east for 5.3 miles (get in right lane) through tunnel to the exit for Fish Ranch Road. Take that exit, merge onto Old Tunnel Road and continue 0.2 mile to Fish Ranch Road. Turn right at Fish Ranch Road and go 0.8 mile to Grizzly Peak Boulevard. Turn left on Grizzly Peak Boulevard and drive 2.4 miles to Skyline Boulevard. Turn left on Skyline and drive short distance to park entrance and parking on left.
Contact: Robert Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
1.7 mi/1.0 hr
in Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve
If you know what you’re looking for, this is a trip into an ecological wonderland. If you don’t, well, it’s still a rewarding, tranquil venture. That is because the Huckleberry Loop is routed through a remarkable variety of rare and beautiful plants. Pick up a brochure at the trailhead and follow the self-guided tour that points out the plants and points of interest specific to this area.
The Huckleberry Path starts at the staging area off of Skyline Boulevard. From the parking area, follow the path to the left fork. At the first junction in 0.5 mile, turn left and descend steeply through a mature bay forest. Follow the lower Huckleberry Path for 0.3 mile and experience the succession of forest, dense ferns, and huckleberries. At the junction with the Skyline National Trail and the Bay Area Ridge Trail, stay right. Continue on the Bay Area Ridge Trail for 0.5 mile until it again junctions with the Huckleberry Path on the right. After a steep stair climb, the Huckleberry Path resumes its loop back to the trailhead in a little over a mile. Along the way, explore the dead-end spur trails that branch off the upper Huckleberry Path on the right. The first trail spur shows off spectacular pallid manzanita specimens and provides a great viewpoint. The second spur provides another great view and several plants of interest including the Western Leatherwood.
User Groups: Hikers only on Huckleberry Path; no dogs, horses, or mountain bikes. Horses are allowed on the Skyline National Trail and the Bay Area Ridge Trail. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve brochure. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Oakland East.
Directions: From the East Bay, take Highway 24 east for 5.3 miles (get in right lane) through tunnel to the exit for Fish Ranch Road. Take that exit, merge onto Old Tunnel Road and continue 0.2 mile to Fish Ranch Road. Turn right at Fish Ranch Road and go 0.8 mile to Grizzly Peak Boulevard. Turn left on Grizzly Peak Boulevard and drive 2.4 miles to Skyline Boulevard. Turn left on Skyline and drive a short distance past Robert Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve to the park entrance and parking lot, on the left.
Contact: Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve, 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
7.75 mi one-way/4.0 hr
north of the San Leandro Reservoir
This trail is a hit with locals who use it for exercise, dog walks, jogs, even stroller walks. For nonlocals, not so much. The Lafayette-Moraga Trail is a 7.75-mile linear park. In other words, the trail is a park that forms a line from Lafayette to Moraga. All of it is paved. The trail starts at the Olympic Staging Area in Lafayette and curls to the left for the first 3.5 miles. It eventually heads south along Las Trampas Creek to Bollinger Canyon. It then passes through downtown Moraga to the Valle Vista Staging Area on Canyon Road.
User Groups: Hikers, wheelchairs, dogs, horses, and mountain bikes.
Permits: No permits are required except on EBMUD lands. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead under the information panel. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail brochure. For topographic maps, ask the USGS for Walnut Creek and Las Trampas Ridge.
Directions: From Highway 24 near Lafayette, take the Pleasant Hill Road exit south. Drive one mile to Olympic Boulevard. Turn right and drive 0.1 mile to the Olympic Staging Area.
Contact: Contra Costa Trails Office, 510/544-3028; Lafayette-Moraga Linear Park, 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
5.0 mi/2.25 hr
at Crown Memorial State Beach in Alameda
The revival of Crown Memorial State Beach is complete on the shore of San Francisco Bay in Alameda. A $5.7 million project restored the beach and dune system. The beach spans 2.5 miles, and on its north end, extends in a half-moon curve to Ballena Bay. The Shoreline Trail is paved and starts near the visitors center. Dunes adjoin the trail for a portion of the walk. You get sweeping views across South San Francisco Bay, best from the beach and bike trail along the southeast portions of the shoreline. There is also an overlook of the Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary. A series of eight picnic sites are located from the Crab Cove Visitors Center at the northwest end of the beach on past Freshwater Lagoon and the dunes. The best for a lookout of the bay is City View, located near the rental shop for windsurfing.
The tide book is your bible at Crown Memorial State Beach. High tide is the best time to observe seabirds such as loons, grebes, and ducks. Low tide, however, is the best time to watch shorebirds such as sandpipers poking around the exposed mudflats.
User Groups: Hikers, wheelchairs, dogs (on the paved trail only, not the beach), and mountain bikes. No horses.
Permits: No permits are required. An entrance fee of $5 per vehicle is charged when kiosk is attended; $2 for dogs.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Crown Memorial State Beach brochure. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Oakland West.
Directions: From San Francisco, take the Bay Bridge east for 5.2 miles (and stay to the right) to the split with I-80/580/880. Take the exit for I-880 South (signed for airport), go 1.6 miles and merge onto I-880 South and continue 1.2 miles to the exit for Broadway/Alameda. Take that exit and go 0.4 mile to 5th Street. Turn right on 5th Street, go 0.2 mile, stay right to stay on 5th Street and continue 0.7 mile (stay left) to merge with CA-260/Webster Street Tube. Turn left to merge with CA-260 and go one mile (when in the tube, get to the left) to Constitution Way (also signed by Marina Village Parkway) on left. Bear left toward Constitution Way for 0.3 mile, then continue on Constitution Way for 0.5 mile to 8th Street, and continue ahead on 8th Street for 0.6 mile to Otis Drive. Turn right on Otis Drive and go 0.1 mile to park entrance.
Contact: Crown Memorial State Beach, Crab Cove Visitors Center, 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
2.0 mi/1.0 hr
at Martin Luther King Regional Shoreline near Oakland
Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline is located on southern edge of San Leandro Bay, just east of the Oakland International Airport. The access road and a nearby trail are routed between Arrowhead Marsh and New Marsh. The San Leandro Creek channel is on one side, Airport channel is on the other, both of which feed into San Leandro Bay. From the main parking area, you can walk or ride a bike on the Arrowhead Marsh Trail along the Airport Channel for a mile to its back cove, or along the San Leandro Creek channel for a mile to Hegenberger. Arrowhead Marsh is a 50-acre tidal marsh (shaped like an arrowhead) located on the edge of San Leandro Bay, a short walk from the primary parking area. Though this wetland is small, a huge variety of migratory birds on the Pacific Flyway use this marsh as a resting spot in winter. Bring your picnic, binoculars, bike, or kayak, and then get ready to launch, no matter what your preference. A series of four picnic areas with water views are located along the park entry road. Note: As we went to press in 2016, the boardwalk that extends over Arrowhead Marsh to a viewing platform on the edge of San Leandro Bay was still closed due to structural damage in 2013, with no date for repair.
User Groups: Hikers, leashed dogs, wheelchairs, and mountain bikes. No horses.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Martin Luther King Regional Shoreline brochure. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for San Leandro.
Directions: From San Francisco, take Bay Bridge east for six miles (do not get in left lane) and continue to the split with I-80/880/580. At the split, take I-880 South for 0.5 mile, then bear left to continue on I-880 South and continue 8.3 miles to the exit for Hegenberger Road. Take that exit for 0.3 mile to Hegenberger Road. Turn right on Hegenberger and drive 0.7 mile to Pardee Drive. Turn right and go 0.3 mile to Swan Way. Turn left and go 0.2 mile to park entrance road on right. Turn right and drive 0.8 mile to main parking area at end of road.
Contact: Martin Luther King Regional Shoreline, 888/327-2757 or 510/562-1373; East Bay Regional Park District, 888/327-2757, www.ebparks.org.
0.75 mi/0.5 hr
in Roberts Regional Recreation Area
A rare grove of redwood trees lines the entrance of Roberts Regional Recreation Area. That makes it popular for short visits and picnics. If you want to enter a redwood forest in the East Bay without having to walk far, this is the best bet. From the entrance of the parking area, near the swimming pool, take the short trail that is linked to Graham Trail. Turn right, and you will be routed in a short circle past a restroom to Diablo Vista; then turn right and head back to the parking area. The walk is short and sweet, just right for those on a picnic who do not wish for a challenging encounter.
User Groups: Hikers and dogs. No horses or mountain bikes. The restroom is wheelchair-accessible, but the trail is not.
Permits: No permits are required. An entrance fee of $5 per vehicle is charged; $2 for dogs. A fee is charged for access to the swimming pool (wheelchair-accessible).
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Roberts Regional Recreation Area and Redwood Regional Park brochures. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Oakland East.
Directions: From Highway 24 in the East Bay, drive to Highway 13 in Oakland. Turn south on Highway 13 and drive three miles to the exit for Joaquin Miller Road/Lincoln Avenue. Take that exit and continue to Monterey Boulevard. Turn on Monterey and go to Joaquin Miller Road. Turn left and drive one mile (up the hill) to Skyline Boulevard. Turn left on Skyline Boulevard and drive about one mile (keep to the right) to the park entrance, on the right.
Contact: Roberts Regional Recreation Area, 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
4.5 mi/2.5 hr
in Redwood Regional Park
The surprise redwoods in the Oakland hills makes Redwood Regional Park one of the Bay Area’s better finds. Pretty Redwood Creek, recharged each winter by rain, runs down its center. When you drive in, from the main park entrance at Redwood Gate, take the park road to its end at the Canyon Meadow Staging Area. A trailhead here provides access to the Stream Trail. It is routed a quarter mile upstream to a bridge over the creek, then another 1.2 miles to another bridge crossing. The route goes another 0.8 mile up to a third bridge. Most turn around here. It’s 4.5 miles round-trip, pretty and easy.
Just beyond the entry kiosk at Redwood Gate, a fish ladder is located a short distance ahead to your left. After February rains, a strain of wild trout found nowhere else swim up from Upper San Leandro Reservoir, jump the ladder and spawn in the stream. A rarity to see. Fishing is not permitted in Redwood Creek and no access is allowed downstream at Upper San Leandro Reservoir.
User Groups: Hikers, wheelchairs, dogs, and horses. No mountain bikes.
Permits: No permits are required. An entrance fee of $5 per vehicle is charged when the kiosk is attended; $2 for dogs.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Redwood Regional Park brochure. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Oakland East.
Directions: From San Francisco, take the Bay Bridge east for 6.4 miles (stay far right) to the split and I-580. Bear right on I-580 (stay far right) and go 6.2 miles to Exit 24 for 35th Avenue. Take that exit to the stop sign at 35th Avenue; turn left and drive 0.2 mile up hill (becomes Redwood Road) and continue straight for 2.3 miles to Redwood Regional Park on the left. Turn left and continue past the kiosk to the end of the road to parking for the Canyon Meadow Staging Area and trailheads for the Stream Trail (walks, hikes) and Canyon Trail (bikes).
From Highway 24: Take Highway 24 to the exit for Highway 13. Take that exit to Highway 13 South and drive to Redwood Road. Turn left on Redwood Road and drive two miles past Skyline Boulevard to the park entrance, on the left. Turn left and park at the Canyon Meadow Staging Area, at the end of the road.
Contact: Redwood Regional Park, 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
4.0 mi/2.5 hr
in Redwood Regional Park
The number one hike at Redwood Regional Park, the Stream Trail, is pretty and easy. This trip is for hikers and mountain bikers with a little more ambition. From the parking area, turn right on Canyon Trail, climbing up to the East Ridge in 0.3 mile. Turn left onto the East Ridge Trail and make a loop by hiking out on the ridge, climbing much of the way. You climb roughly 900 feet. From atop the East Ridge, at 1,100 feet, you can look down into a canyon that appears to be a sea of redwoods. Another reward comes when you turn left and loop down into that canyon, where Redwood Creek awaits under the cool canopy of a lush forest. To do this, turn left again on Prince Trail, and another left on Stream Trail. Follow Stream Trail back to the Canyon Meadow Staging Area.
User Groups: Hikers, dogs, and horses. Mountain bikes and wheelchairs permitted on the paved part of the trail.
Permits: No permits are required. An entrance fee of $5 per vehicle is charged when the kiosk is attended; $2 for dogs.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Redwood Regional Park brochure. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Oakland East.
Directions: From San Francisco, take the Bay Bridge east for 6.4 miles (stay far right) to the split and I-580. Bear right on I-580 (stay far right) and go 6.2 miles to Exit 24 for 35th Avenue. Take that exit to the stop sign at 35th Avenue, turn left, and drive 0.2 mile up hill (becomes Redwood Road). Continue straight for 2.3 miles to Redwood Regional Park on the left. Turn left, continue past the kiosk to the end of the road to parking for the Canyon Meadow Staging Area at the end of the road.
From Highway 24: Take Highway 24 to the exit for Highway 13. Take that exit to Highway 13 South and drive to Redwood Road. Turn left on Redwood Road and drive two miles past Skyline Boulevard to the park entrance, on the left. Turn left and park at the Canyon Meadow Staging Area, at the end of the road.
Contact: Redwood Regional Park, 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
2.8 mi/1.5 hr
in Anthony Chabot Regional Park
Grass Valley provides a simple paradise nestled in the East Bay hills. This meadow lines more than a mile of a valley floor that is framed on each side by the crowned rims of foothills. From late March through mid-April, you can find a quiet valley that glows in shades of greens from wild grass and sparkles with the blooms of golden poppies and tiny blue-eyed grass and wild radish. The scene is quiet and beautiful, and the Grass Valley Trail provides a route to this tranquility. Start at the Bort Meadow Staging Area (at the MacDonald Trailhead for the East Bay Skyline National Trail) and hike downhill to the Bort Meadow Picnic Area. At the bottom of the valley, it feels secluded, quiet, and beautiful. Picnic tables are located in the shade of oaks, at the head of Grass Valley. Near the picnic area, head south on Grass Valley Trail for 1.5 miles. Take your time and enjoy it. At Stonebridge and the junction with the Brandon Trail, turn right on the Brandon Trail, which runs north along the west side of Grass Valley, and return to the picnic area. To crown a perfect day, end the hike with lunch at Bort Meadow.
User Groups: Hikers, dogs, horses, and mountain bikes. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Anthony Chabot Regional Park brochure. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Las Trampas Ridge.
Directions: From I-580 in Oakland, take the 35th Avenue exit and drive east (35th Avenue becomes Redwood Road). Follow Redwood Road past Skyline Boulevard and continue for 4.3 miles to the Bort Meadow Staging Area, on the right.
Contact: Anthony Chabot Regional Park, 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
5.4 mi/3.25 hr
in Anthony Chabot Regional Park
Start at the Bort Meadow Staging Area. From the north end of the parking lot, head north on the old ranch road, which is called the MacDonald Trail, and is part of the East Bay National Skyline Trail. Head out north (to the right), where the trail meanders along an old ranch road, climbing only slightly above Bort Meadow and Grass Valley. At the ridge, turn and look south for a great view of Grass Valley—a divine sight in the springtime. From the ridge, the trail/road proceeds north, with valley and hilltop views along the way. Watch closely for the hidden bench on the right side of the trail. You can sit here and look out over the remote foothill country to the east. After enjoying the views, return the way you came. The trail eventually drops steeply and connects to Redwood Regional Park, but most people turn around and return when they reach the drop in the trail.
User Groups: Hikers, dogs, horses, and mountain bikes. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Anthony Chabot Regional Park brochure. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Las Trampas Ridge.
Directions: From I-580 in Oakland, take the 35th Avenue exit and drive east (35th Avenue becomes Redwood Road). Follow Redwood Road past Skyline Boulevard and drive 4.3 miles to the Bort Meadow Staging Area, on the right.
Contact: Anthony Chabot Regional Park, 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
4.4 mi/2.5 hr
in Las Trampas Regional Wilderness south of Moraga
Rocky Ridge provides the biggest bay view that is seen by the least. It’s a ridge-top perch near San Ramon, just west of I-680. When you top the ridge, the view to the west emerges all at once, where you tower 2,000 feet over the South Bay. With the recent eye-popping air clarity, you can spot hundreds of landmarks in all directions. From the parking lot at 1,080 feet, the Rocky Ridge View Trail starts out as a service road and climbs 800 feet in 1.5 miles to a ridge trail. You continue—you can see the top all the way—and climb another 200 feet over the course of 0.7 mile as the views emerge over the bay. A spot called “Rock 2,” at an elevation of 2,024 feet, is the prime pay-off. With one sweep of the eye across the bay, you can scan from the high-risers of downtown San Francisco on south past the Bay Bridge, San Mateo Bridge, Dumbarton Bridge, and across to Skyline and Mount Umunhum on the far horizon. Mount Hamilton rises to the south. Then in a turn to the east, you can scan across Mount Rose and the Sunol-Ohlone Wilderness, Livermore Valley, and Mount Diablo.
On the west bay-facing flank of the ridge, those who love to find and explore unique geologic formations can find them in the hollowed-out sandstone at the wind caves and Devil’s Hole. To get there, follow the Rocky Ridge View Trail (map in hand) to its junction with Sycamore Trail. Turn right on Sycamore Trail and tromp a little more than 0.25 mile down to the caves. This is a fairly steep, though short, descent. This area also has many raptors. In the spring, the wind out of the northwest will hit the ridge and get pushed straight up, which creates a lifting effect that the raptors can glide on and hunt for hours. Like many parks in the East Bay hills, the landscape is loaded with rabbits, and to a lesser extent, ground squirrels. With so much prey, many see bobcats on the hunt, as well as raptors, including golden eagles, several species of falcons, and red-tailed hawks.
User Groups: Hikers, dogs, and horses. No mountain bikes (but permitted on the park’s service roads). No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free. A permit is required to access and hike on adjoining EBMUD lands.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Las Trampas Regional Wilderness brochure. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Las Trampas Ridge.
Directions: From San Francisco, take I-80 east over the Bay Bridge for 5.8 miles (get in right lane) to the I-580 split. Bear right on I-580 east (get in right lane) and go 1.5 miles to exit for Highway 24. Take Highway 24 east (toward Walnut Creek) for 13.3 miles to the exit for I-680 south. Take that exit to I-680 south and drive 10.4 miles to Exit 36 for Crow Canyon Road. Take that exit and continue 0.4 mile to Crow Canyon Road. Turn right on Crow Canyon and go 1.1 miles to Bollinger Canyon Road. Turn right and drive four miles to end of road, parking, and trailheads.
Contact: Las Trampas Regional Wilderness, 888/327-2757 or 510/544-3276; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
1.0-28.0 mi one-way/1-3 days
in the San Ramon Valley
The Iron Horse Regional Trail is a focal point of the national Rails to Trails program, which converts abandoned rail lines into hiking trails. The continuous trail runs 28 miles from Dublin north to Concord and Highway 4. The completed south portion starts at the Dublin-Pleasanton BART and goes north from there to Highway 4. This has become a prominent destination for locals out jogging, biking, and walking. The trail is a 10-foot wide asphalt strip, but the trail corridor ranges from 200 feet to as little as 12 feet in some areas of Walnut Creek. It is often hot and dry out here, with a few drinking fountains sprinkled along the way. Shade trees have been planted, affirmation of the sense of long-range vision.
The rail route that it follows was established in 1890 and was abandoned officially in 1976. It took only two years to remove all the tracks, but the trail conversion is requiring quite a bit more time. The plan is to extend the Iron Horse Regional Trail into Livermore on the south end, and to Carquinez Strait on the north.
User Groups: Hikers, wheelchairs, dogs, horses, and mountain bikes.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailheads. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Iron Horse Regional Trail brochure. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Las Trampas Ridge.
Directions: South trailhead: Take I-580 east to the Dublin-Pleasanton BART station and park. The trailhead begins on Santa Rita Road.
North trailhead: From I-680 in Walnut Creek, take the Rudgear Road exit. Turn east and park at either the park-and-ride lot (on the east side of the freeway) or the staging area (south side).
Contact: Iron Horse Regional Trail, 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
3.9 mi/2.0 hr
in Diablo Foothills Regional Park on Mount Diablo
The views of Castle Rock, towering Mount Diablo, and access to a shady ravine make a visit to Diablo Foothills Regional Park very special. The Castle Rocks are a series of sandstone crags that form pieces of wall in the foothills of Diablo. Thousands make the long drive to the top of Mount Diablo; this trip can be more memorable.
From the Orchard Staging Area, follow Castle Rock Trail south to Stage Road Trail. This pretty, shaded riparian zone runs along Pine Creek and the border of Mount Diablo State Park. To the east are Castle Rock’s monolithic sandstone structures, gorgeous when the sun is low in the sky at dawn and dusk. At the junction with Buckeye Ravine Trail, turn right (west) to complete the loop along a short section of the Briones-to-Mount Diablo Regional Trail, with photo-quality views of Castle Rock and the silhouette of Mount Diablo. Buckeye Ravine Trail picks up again to the right and connects with Shell Ridge Loop Trail for pretty, long-distance views on the way back to Castle Rock Trail.
Diablo Foothills encompasses more than 1,000 acres and is linked to Shell Ridge Open Space on one side, and Castle Rock Regional Recreation Area and Mount Diablo State Park on the other. There are several staging areas and a network of trails link to the surrounding parks. The busy Walnut Creek/Concord corridor can cause many to overlook the nearby foothills of giant Diablo. Once you depart I-680, the procession to the park moves quickly from highway traffic, past city and suburbia, to rural landscapes and some of Diablo’s wildest lands, prettiest trails, and striking geologic formations.
User Groups: Hikers, dogs, horses, and mountain bikes, partially wheelchair-accessible.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Diablo Foothills Regional Park brochure. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Diablo.
Directions: From the Bay Bridge, bear right on I-580 (stay far right) and go 1.5 miles to exit for Highway 24. Take Highway 24 and drive 13.4 miles (through the tunnel) to Walnut Creek and I-680 (stay left). Continue on I-680 for 0.4 mile to exit for Ygnacio Valley Road. At bottom of the ramp, turn right on Ygnacio Valley Road and continue 2.2 miles to Walnut Avenue. Turn right onto Walnut Avenue and go 1.6 miles to a roundabout. Exit the roundabout to the right onto Castle Rock Road. Continue 1.5 miles to the Orchard Staging Area.
Contact: Diablo Foothills Regional Park, 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
8.1 mi/4.5 hr
at Mitchell Canyon in Mount Diablo State Park
High on the north flank of Mount Diablo, the world seems simple and clean, with a view that never ends. From Deer Flat and Meridian Ridge, you can peer down Mitchell Canyon, across the Carquinez Strait and San Joaquin Delta, and across miles of greenbelt to the silhouette of Mount St. Helena, north of Calistoga. At Mount Diablo, the best way to commemorate the annual coronation of spring is from the Mitchell Canyon trailhead.
Little Giant Loop on the flank of Mount Diablo
Our favorite trip here is an 8.1-mile loop, named the Little Giant Loop, and it takes most hikers about four hours to complete. It features an elevation gain of about 1,600 feet, a great picnic site with sensational views, and the option to fork off and create more ambitious trips.
The trip starts at the Mitchell Canyon trailhead (elevation 600 feet), located just outside of Clayton. This provides access to Mount Diablo’s prettiest regions in spring.
In the first two miles, the climb is steady, and you can establish a good rhythm as you open the day and gain entry to Mitchell Canyon. You will pass amid grasslands, chaparral, and the first wildflowers of the year. In late March and April, this area features rafts of a purple bloom on a long stalk (linathus), along with dozens of other species. In April and early May, there can also be hummingbirds, butterflies, and ladybugs galore (don’t laugh—on one trip we saw maybe 50,000 ladybugs in a 100-yard radius).
Then it gets steep, climbing about 1,000 feet in a mile, but it’s graded with switchbacks, making for a strong aerobic rhythm for hikers—but it’s butt-kicker level for bikers. You will top out at Deer Flat and reach a fork in the trail. Everybody stops here, turns, and takes in the long-distance views, often enjoying a drink and maybe a trail snack at the picnic table. Deer Flat is primarily grasslands and chaparral, sprinkled with some small pines. The lookout points here tower over Mitchell Canyon and beyond to the valley flatlands to the north.
To complete the loop, turn left at Deer Flat to the Meridian Ridge Fire Road (more great views) and continue to Murchio Gap at a major junction. The best route is to continue straight for a short distance to the Back Trail, turn left, and enjoy the saunter downhill into a canyon setting. At the Coulter Pine Trail (single track, no bikes), turn left, which is routed back to the Mitchell Canyon trailhead and parking area.
Mount Diablo is beautiful in the spring. Sometimes we wish the experience could be captured in a bottle, and then taken in little doses when needed for the rest of the year.
User Groups: Hikers and horses. Mountain bikes are allowed on a portion of this route. No dogs. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. A state park entrance fee of $10 is charged for each vehicle.
Maps: A trail map is available from Mount Diablo State Park for a fee. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Diablo.
Directions: From the Bay Bridge, bear right on I-580 and continue 1.6 miles (stay to the right) to Highway 24. Take Highway 24 east for 13.2 miles to Walnut Creek and I-680. Take I-680 north and go 0.4 mile to the exit for Ygnacio Valley Road. Take that exit, turn right, and drive 10 miles to Clayton and Clayton Avenue. Turn right on Clayton and drive one mile to Mitchell Canyon Road. Turn right and drive to the trailhead at the end of the road.
Contact: Mount Diablo State Park, 925/837-2525 or 925/838-9225 (weather); Summit Visitors Center, 925/837-6119; www.parks.ca.gov or www.mdia.org.
6.5 mi/2.5 hr
in Mount Diablo State Park near Danville
In wet years, this hike is a 10. In dry years, a 6. In the spring, always an 8. Time it right and the world is yours. At Mount Diablo, the Bay Area’s grand old mountain rising above the East Bay hills, there is a series of hidden waterfalls that can be as pretty as anything in the East Bay hills after a heavy rain. Reaching them requires a 6.5-mile hike, a good climb, and something of a fortune hunt.
The trailhead for Donner Creek Falls is at the end of Regency Drive, which is located off Clayton Road (and becomes Marsh Creek Road) out of Clayton. From here, turn left on an old ranch road and walk alongside a pretty creek set amid rolling hills peppered with oaks. At Cardinet Junction, turn left, and after a short time, cross the creek. Then it’s a 600-foot climb in five switchbacks before you reach the signed turnoff for the falls trail. As you go, rewards feature views to the north of Clayton, Suisun Bay, and the Mothball Fleet, as well as a good chance of seeing rabbits, deer, and hawks.
From here, the trail turns to single track and laterals the left side of a canyon. In wet years, one by one, the falls start to come in view. The first is a 20-foot cascade across the other side of the canyon. Then, moments later, there’s another fall, straight ahead, that’s more of a chute. As you continue up the trail, two more come into view, including one short but pretty free fall. Continuing straight, the trail will guide you right across two streams, the source of the falls. Most stop to enjoy the treat. If you can time your trip for peak flow, it’s a stunner.
When you’re ready to head back: The trail loops back to Cardinet Junction, and from there it’s an easy (but often muddy in winter) traipse downhill back to the trailhead. It’s hard to imagine Diablo any prettier than on this hike.
User Groups: Hikers and horses. No dogs. Mountain bikes permitted on the service road, but not the single-track trail that provides access to the waterfalls. The first half of the trail is designed for wheelchair use.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A trail map is available from Mount Diablo State Park for a fee. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Diablo.
Directions: From the Bay Bridge, bear right on I-580 and continue 1.6 miles (stay to the right) to Highway 24. Take Highway 24 east for 13.2 miles to Walnut Creek and I-680. Take I-680 north and go 0.4 mile to the exit for Ygnacio Valley Road. Take that exit, turn right, and drive 10 miles to Clayton and Clayton Avenue. Turn right (becomes Marsh Creek Road) and go three miles to Regency Drive. Turn right on Regency Drive and drive 0.5 mile to the end of the road and the trailhead.
Contact: Mount Diablo State Park, 925/837-2525; summit weather, 925/838-9225; Summit Visitors Center, 925/837-6119; www.parks.ca.gov or www.mdia.org.
4.0 mi/2.5 hr
in Mount Diablo State Park near Danville
According to Native American legend, at the dawn of time, Tuyshtak was the sacred birthplace of the world. Supernatural beings, the First People, lived here in the Bay Area. Tuyshtak, you see, is Mount Diablo, the old mountain that towers over the East Bay hills and San Joaquin Delta. It is still one of the best places anywhere in the spring to visit, explore, and take in the views.
The trail does not start at the summit. As you drive up and near the summit, look for the signed trailhead on the right. It is 0.7 mile from the overflow parking lot on top; you can usually park along the road’s shoulder near the trailhead, signed Devil’s Elbow/North Peak Trail. The hike starts easy, a downhill romp to Prospector’s Gap. You then turn right toward the North Summit and start a rhythmic climb for about a mile, before facing a butt-kicker: a seemingly straight-up section of about 150 yards. This is one of the steepest sections of trail anywhere, but it’s short. Once near the top, hike over to the crag to the east and scramble to the top. This is a sensational spot with a lookout view that towers over Brentwood and the Delta. This is a four-mile round-trip hike, but it feels longer and takes 2.5 hours.
Note: Mount Diablo is a "dry park." No beer, wine, or alcohol of any kind is permitted.
User Groups: Hikers only. No mountain bikes, dogs or horses. No wheelchair access.
Permits: No permits are required. A state park entrance fee of $10 is charged for each vehicle.
Maps: A trail map is available from Mount Diablo State Park for a fee. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Diablo.
Directions: North Gate: From San Francisco, take the Bay Bridge to the split and I-580. Bear right on I-580 and continue 1.6 miles (stay to the right) to Highway 24. Take 24 east for 13.2 miles to Walnut Creek. Take I-680 north and go 0.4 mile to the exit for Ygnacio Valley Road. Turn right on Ygnacio Valley Road and go 2.2 miles to Walnut Avenue. Bear right and go 1.5 miles to Oak Grove Road, then continue a short distance to North Gate Road. Turn left and go 1.4 miles to park entrance and kiosk. Continue 17 miles to upper summit parking lot.
South Gate: Take Highway 24 to Walnut Creek (stay right) and I-680 south. Go south on I-680 and drive 7.2 miles to Danville and the exit for Diablo Road. Take Diablo Road east for 2.9 miles (at 0.7 mile, you jog right to stay on Diablo Road) to Mount Diablo Scenic Boulevard. Turn left and go 3.8 miles (becomes South Gate Road) to the kiosk at the park entrance. Continue 0.8 mile to Live Oak Campground and park at the adjacent picnic area. Trailhead is behind site 20. Parking at Live Oak, continue on South Gate Road to Summit Road. Turn right and drive to summit parking area, visitors center, and lookout.
Contact: Mount Diablo State Park, 925/837-2525; summit weather, 925/838-9225; Summit Visitors Center, 925/837-6119; www.parks.ca.gov or www.mdia.org.
1.0 mi/0.5 hr
in Mount Diablo State Park near Danville
From the parking lot at the summit, start your visit to the summit by making the short walk to the old lookout station. Head up the stairs to the lookout perch that towers over the San Joaquin Delta and Sacramento Valley. From each side of the lookout, you get a chance to see long distances that encompass a huge landscape.
As you face the visitors center, the trailhead for the Mary Bowerman Trail is on your left. The trail runs on the shoulder of the summit in a counter-clockwise route. It offers a variety of views every step of the way. You will see some fire damage, both on the south flank and into the valley below as well. It takes about a half hour, out and back.
The best time of year for this hike is in late March and April, when the hills glow neon green and the skies often clear. Those familiar with the old mountain know this as the former Fire Interpretive Trail, a rim trail that rings the Diablo summit with fantastic views. Mary Bowerman, in case you don’t recognize the name, was an esteemed Diablo botanist.
Note: Mount Diablo is a "dry park." No beer, wine, or alcohol of any kind is permitted.
User Groups: Hikers and wheelchairs. No mountain bikes, dogs, or horses.
Permits: No permits are required. A state park entrance fee of $10 is charged for each vehicle.
Maps: A trail map is available from Mount Diablo State Park for a fee. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Diablo.
Directions: North Gate: From San Francisco, take the Bay Bridge to the split and I-580. Bear right on I-580 and continue 1.6 miles (stay to the right) to Highway 24. Take 24 east for 13.2 miles to Walnut Creek. Take I-680 north and go 0.4 mile to the exit for Ygnacio Valley Road. Turn right on Ygnacio Valley and go 2.2 miles to Walnut Avenue. Bear right and go 1.5 miles to Oak Grove Road, then continue a short distance to North Gate Road. Turn left and go 1.4 miles to park entrance and kiosk. Continue 17 miles to upper summit parking lot.
South Gate: Take Highway 24 to Walnut Creek (stay right) and I-680 south. Go south on I-680 and drive 7.2 miles to Danville and the exit for Diablo Road. Take Diablo Road east for 2.9 miles (at 0.7 mile, you jog right to stay on Diablo Road) to Mount Diablo Scenic Boulevard. Turn left and go 3.8 miles (becomes South Gate Road) to the kiosk at the park entrance. Continue 0.8 mile to Live Oak Campground and park at the adjacent picnic area. Trailhead is behind campsite 20. From parking at Live Oak, continue on South Gate Road to Summit Road. Turn right and drive to summit parking area, visitors center, and lookout.
Contact: Mount Diablo State Park, 925/837-2525; summit weather, 925/838-9225; Summit Visitors Center, 925/837-6119; www.parks.ca.gov or www.mdia.org.
1.0 mi/2.0 hr
in Mount Diablo State Park near Danville
Sentinel Rock at Mount Diablo’s Rock City is a stunner. You will be forever imprinted by the sight of this series of sandstone monoliths and the adventures that await. You can explore for hours.
The most popular trailhead is near site 20 at the Live Oak campground. It’s about 0.25 mile to Sentinel Rock, a massive crag of sandstone with hollows like Swiss cheese. At the base of Sentinel Rock, on the east side, you’ll find a carved staircase that signals the trek to the top (cables are set up for safety). There is a mosaic of unsigned trails in the area, and it can be confusing for first-timers. The best suggestion is to follow Wall Point Road to a spur trail (CCC Trail) south to Sentinel Rock. Soak in the views, then return on the spur trail to Wall Point Road and continue following that northwest to other sandstone structures: the Wind Caves, Wall Point, Lower Rock City, and Gibraltar Rock. Below Lower Rock City, Gibraltar Rock is the big attraction. On its backside, it’s an easy scramble to the top and you can often see rock climbers rappelling down the face.
Note: Mount Diablo is a "dry park." No beer, wine, or alcohol of any kind is permitted.
User Groups: Hikers. No mountain bikes, dogs, horses, or wheelchair access on trail. Some wheelchair facilities at a picnic area.
Permits: No permits are required. A state park entrance fee of $10 is charged for each vehicle.
Maps: A trail map is available from Mount Diablo State Park for a fee. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Diablo.
Directions: From San Francisco, take the Bay Bridge east for 6.4 miles (stay far right) to the split and I-580. Bear right on I-580 (stay far right) and go 1.5 miles to exit for Highway 24. Take Highway 24 and go 13.4 miles (through the tunnel) to Walnut Creek (stay right) and I-680 south. Take the exit to I-680 south and drive 7.2 miles to Danville and the exit for Diablo Road. Take Diablo Road east for 2.9 miles (at 0.7 mile, you jog right to stay on Diablo Road) to Mount Diablo Scenic Boulevard. Turn left and go 3.8 miles (becomes South Gate Road) to the kiosk at the park entrance. Continue 0.8 mile to Live Oak Campground and park at the adjacent picnic area. Trailhead is behind site 20.
Contact: Mount Diablo State Park, 925/837-2525; summit weather, 925/ 838-9225; Summit Visitors Center, 925/837-6119; www.parks.ca.gov or www.mdia.org.
1.0-3.0 mi/1.5 hr
in Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve near Antioch
Here’s a chance to combine a hike through pretty foothill country with an underground tour into the Bay Area’s landmark coal and silica mines. Black Diamond Mines spans more than 7,500 acres, with 5,315 acres open to the public and a variety of routes amid 57 miles of trails for hiking (dogs permitted), biking, and horseback riding. The trails include valley walks and climbs to ridges for sweeping foothill views, and a 3.2-mile hike with a moderate climb to a backpack-style primitive campground. Plan your trip for the Hazel-Atlas Mine Tour (noon and 3pm Sat.-Sun. Mar.-Nov.).
After passing the park’s entrance kiosk (usually staffed only on weekends), drive straight past the first parking area on the left and continue about one mile to the end of the road. A parking area, picnic area, and several trailheads are located here. From this point, take the signed Hazel-Atlas Mine Trail for a short walk up the hill to the mine entrance on the left. (Remember: Access to the mines is permitted by guided tour only.) As you near the mine entrance, on hot days you can feel the rush of cool air emerging from deep below the surface. A few dozen hard hats are provided for public use (mandatory); choose from a wooden box set just inside the mine entrance. In the first 400 feet, you follow a rail line to the underground office of the sand mine boss on the left. Peering through the office door, you see an old desk, a variety of old glass bottles, and other vintage accessories. Outside is the switchback for the rail cars.
The tunnel starts out small, and then opens with a series of cavernous chutes above and below you. Lighted stairways provide access to multiple chambers. Some spurs seem dark, deep, and endless, and are walled off by jail cell-like grates. There are multiple levels, and eventually they lead down into the coal mine chambers.
In the spring, this is one of the best of the 150 parks in the Bay Area for wildflower blooms. Deer, squirrels, foxes, hawks, and owls are common sightings.
Stewartville Backpack Camp: This public campground requires a 3.2-mile hike with a moderate climb. There is room for 20 people, with picnic tables and a pit toilet available. There is no drinking water (bring your own) and you must pack out all trash. Reservations required.
User Groups: Hikers, dogs, horses, and mountain bikes. The underground tours are accessible for hikers only. Limited wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. A parking fee of $5 per vehicle is charged when the kiosk is attended; $2 per dog. Guided tours of the underground mining museum cost $5 per person; tickets can be purchased at the Sidney Flat Visitors Center. Reservations are required for Stewartville Backpack Camp (510/636-1684, $5 per person per night).
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve brochure. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Antioch South.
Directions: From the Bay Bridge, take I-80 northeast for 22 miles to the exit for Highway 4/Martinez. Take that exit and continue east on Highway 4 for 25 miles to Exit 26A for Somersville Road. Take that exit, turn right on Auto Center Road/Somersville Road, and continue three miles to the park entrance. Continue straight 0.7 mile to the parking lot and trailhead.
Contact: Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, 510/544-2750 or 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
1.6 mi/1.0 hr
in Contra Loma Regional Park near Antioch
Most people go to Contra Loma Regional Park to fish, swim, sunbathe, or picnic at Contra Loma Lake. This short loop trail provides an alternative to those activities, tracing along the northwest shore of the lake, then climbing up and over a short hill and looping back to the starting point. From the parking area, head out on the trail to the Cattail Cove Picnic Area. Just after that, the trail turns right, and you’ll follow the shore of the lake, pass a fishing pier, and then start a 10-minute climb up a small hill. To close out the loop, glide down the hill. The trail turns left and a mile later returns to the Cattail Cove Picnic Area. A great, easy romp, this hike is best done in spring.
User Groups: Hikers, wheelchairs, dogs, horses, and mountain bikes.
Permits: No permits are required. A parking fee of $5 per vehicle is charged; $2 for dogs. An additional fee is charged for access to the swim lagoon.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Contra Loma Regional Park brochure. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Antioch South.
Directions: Take Highway 4 to Antioch and the exit for Lone Tree Way. Take that exit to Lone Tree Way and drive south to Golf Course Road. Turn right on Golf Course Road and drive to Frederickson Lane. Bear right on Frederickson and drive to the entry gate. Pass the kiosk, bear left, and continue to the parking lot by the beach.
Contact: Contra Loma Regional Park, 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
5.7 mi/3.0 hr
in Morgan Territory Regional Preserve north of Livermore
Morgan Territory Regional Preserve is located within the traditional homeland of the Volvon, one of five historical Indian nations in the Mount Diablo area. This trail, named after the first people to live here, is the preserve’s featured hike. You can create an easy 5.7-mile loop where you trace along a ridge as it rises along sandstone hills. You reach a ridgeline with terrific views toward Los Vaqueros Reservoir below.
The staging area is set near the ridge at 1,900 feet. Start the trip by heading up the short hill (a 100-foot climb) on the Volvon Trail and then continue over the other side a short distance to the T (about 0.5 mile from the trailhead) at the intersection of the Blue Oak Trail. At the T intersection, scan across the meadow ahead and to your right and look for the sandstone rocks on the edge of the meadow. You can find a series of bowls in the rock that the Ohlone Indians used for grinding the seeds of acorn into paste and leeching out (with water) the bitter taste.
Then it’s on to Bob Walker Ridge. Head back and out north on the Blue Oak Trail and hike 1.3 miles to the Valley View Trail; a portable toilet is located here and you will pass a few other signed trail junctions. The trail meanders in and out of sub-ridge valleys, green and sprinkled with a few wildflowers in the spring, and is easy all the way. Continue right on the Valley View Trail and continue to Bob Walker Ridge. Here the trail is routed northward on a ranch road to a rounded mountain peak. There are beautiful views of Los Vaqueros Reservoir, as well as below to Round Valley, to the San Joaquin Valley to the east and Mount Diablo to the north.
The Loop Trail circles Bob Walker Ridge in a left-turning horseshoe and then links up again with the Volvon Trail. From here the Volvon Trail runs all the way back to the trailhead. As you near the parking lot, you can take a shortcut by turning right on the Concor Trail and then coasting downhill to the staging area. You can also extend the trip a mile by returning on the Corral Trail/Coyote Trail (hikers only, a good choice on weekends when the bikes are out).
The ridge was named in the 1990s for Bob Walker, a landscape photographer and open-space advocate who helped ensure that Morgan Territory was added to the East Bay Regional Park District. This parkland is most beautiful in the spring, and not just because the hills are greened up; one of the best wildflower displays in the Bay Area occurs here at that time. The one downer: too many cows.
User Groups: The first half of the loop is accessible to hikers, dogs, horses, and mountain bikes. The second half is for hikers and dogs only. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Morgan Territory Regional Preserve brochure. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Tassajara.
Directions: From I-580 in Livermore, take the N. Livermore Avenue exit and turn north. Drive to the junction of Morgan Territory Road and turn right. Drive 10.7 miles (narrow, drive slow) to the staging area on the right side of the road.
From I-680 in Concord, take the Clayton Road exit and head east. Clayton Road becomes Marsh Creek Road. Continue to Morgan Territory Road. Turn right and drive 9.4 miles (narrow, drive slow) to the staging area on the left side of the road.
Contact: Morgan Territory Regional Preserve, 510/544-3060 or 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
6.0 mi/3.0 hr
in Round Valley Regional Preserve
Round Valley Regional Preserve sits in a beautiful pocket below the ridgeline that extends from the southeast flank of Mount Diablo, located off Marsh Creek Road. This park is a great back-road discovery and the pay-off on this nearly flat hike is seeing the bedrock mortars used for acorn grinding.
The trip starts with a pretty drive into the foothills of Contra Costa County. The park entrance is actually a staging area—a gravel parking lot with chemical toilets. This is the gateway to the 2,024-acre preserve. After parking, begin the trek by crossing a bridge. You then bear right on a service road that runs along Round Valley Creek and continues west to gain entry into Round Valley. The route extends 2.82 miles (as measured by an odometer wheel) to a junction with the Murphy’s Meadow Trail. At Murphy’s Meadow Trail, look to the left for a nearby grove of oaks. Hidden beneath them is a series of 10 bowl-like mortars in the rock, where Native Americans once met to grind acorns, leech out the bitter taste with water, and turn it into flour.
As you hike amid this riparian-oak woodland habitat, keep a lookout on the valley floor for wildlife, and to the air for raptors. This area is loaded with ground squirrels, and they can pop up and down like a game of pop-goes-the-weasel. Because of the high squirrel population, there are an equally high numbers of raptors that feed on them, with lots of red-tailed hawks, but also golden eagles, prairie falcons, owls, and turkey vultures.
User Groups: Hikers, dogs, horses, and mountain bikes. No wheelchair facilities. Dogs are not permitted in the adjoining Los Vaqueros Watershed to the south.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Round Valley Regional Park brochure. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Diablo.
Directions: From San Francisco, take the Bay Bridge east for 6.4 miles (stay far right) to the split and I-580. Bear right on I-580 (stay far right) and go 1.5 miles to exit for Highway 24. Take Highway 24 and go 13.4 miles (through the tunnel) to Walnut Creek (stay left) and I-680 North. Continue on I-680 North for 0.4 mile to exit for Ygnacio Valley Road. At bottom of ramp turn right on Ygnacio Valley Road and drive 7.5 miles to Clayton Road. Turn right and go 2.5 miles (it becomes Marsh Creek Road) and then continue 12 miles (past Morgan Territory Road on right, Deer Valley Road on left) to entrance on right (signed) to Round Valley Regional Preserve (parking and trailhead visible from Marsh Creek Road).
Alternate route from Livermore: Take I-580 east to the exit for Vasco Avenue. Take that exit, turn north on Vasco and go 12 miles to Camino Diablo Road. Turn left and go to junction with Marsh Creek Road and continue north 1.5 miles to the staging area on left.
Contact: Round Valley Regional Preserve, 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
2.9 mi/1.5 hr
at Hayward Regional Shoreline in Hayward
Cogswell Marsh, a 250-acre tidal wetland, is the heart of the 1,713-acre Hayward Regional Shoreline. It is located just north of Highway 92 and the San Mateo Bridge. It is so close to so many who drive right by, yet once afoot, has a feel of a world apart with big-time views and bird sightings. From the Peninsula, it’s a quick shot over the bridge, yet few take that shot.
Cogswell Marsh Loop: From West Winton, hike south for 0.4 mile and then pick up the Bay Trail and continue south on the levee through Cogswell Marsh to Johnson’s Landing. Turn right to route along the bay’s shore and complete loop.
Longer trips can be crafted to the Oro Loma Marsh or beyond to the north on the Bay Trail. From West Winton, hike west for 0.3 mile to Hayward Landing. Turn right on the Bay Trail and head north, with the shore of the South Bay on your left, the 364-acre Oro Loma Marsh (constructed in 1997) on your right, to Bockman Channel, four miles round-trip. The ambitious can continue north, another half mile one-way over the San Lorenzo Creek and another 2.3 miles to San Leandro Marina.
User Groups: Hikers and mountain bikes. No dogs (south of flood control channel) or horses. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Hayward Regional Shoreline brochure. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for San Leandro.
Directions: From San Francisco, take the Bay Bridge (get in right lane) to the split and Exit 8A and I-880. Merge right on I-880 south and drive 18 miles to Exit 28 for Winton Avenue. Take that exit, keep right at a fork, and merge onto West Winton Avenue. Drive 2.5 miles to the park office and continue a short distance to the parking area and trailhead.
From the Peninsula: Take U.S. 101 to exit for Highway 92 east. Take Highway 92 and drive 11 miles (over San Mateo Bridge) to Exit 24 for Clawiter Road/Eden Landing Road. Take that exit 0.2 mile to Clawiter Road, turn left, and go one mile to Depot Road. Turn left on Depot Road and go 0.7 mile to Cabot Boulevard. Turn right and go 1.1 miles to West Winton Avenue (second left). Turn left and drive 0.4 mile to park office; continue a short distance to the parking area and trailhead.
Contact: Hayward Regional Shoreline, 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
31.0 mi one-way/2-4 days
from Anthony Chabot to Wildcat Canyon Regional Park
A 31-mile trail along the East Bay’s skyline offers an opportunity for a long-distance hike that can be chopped into many short segments over the course of days or even weeks. The trail spans from the Castro Valley foothills northward to the ridgeline behind Richmond, crossing six regional parks for a view into the area’s prettiest and wildest lands. The East Bay Skyline National Trail can be hiked from south to north in two days, but it can also be divided into seven sections from the different access points at the parking areas. Bicycles and horses are permitted on 65 percent of the trail, where it is wide enough to accommodate them.
It is a great trip, whether you do it all in one weekend or cover a bit at a time over several weeks. No permits are needed, leashed dogs are allowed in undeveloped areas or as posted, and access is free. There are no campgrounds directly along the way, but you can use a shuttle car and come back to do a different section each day. The marked absence of drinking water along much of the route is another drawback. Water is available at only four points over the 31 miles, at Lomas Cantadas, Sibley Preserve, Skyline Gate, and Bort Meadow. So come prepared with two full canteens per person, along with a hat and sunscreen. Following are detailed descriptions of the trail from south to north.
Proctor Gate to Bort Meadow, Lake Chabot, and Anthony Chabot Regional Park: The Brandon Trail starts adjacent to Willow Park Public Golf Course and is routed up a ridge. It then meanders on a ranch road in Anthony Chabot Regional Park. At Stonebridge (don’t turn left at the trail junction!), the trail leads into Grass Valley and on to Bort Meadow. The trail climbs 600 feet, then drops 320 feet, all over 6.5 miles.
Directions: From I-580 in Oakland, take the 35th Avenue exit and drive east (35th Avenue becomes Redwood Road). Drive on Redwood Road to the Proctor Gate Staging Area, located on the east border of the park, next to Willow Park Public Golf Course.
Bort Meadow to MacDonald Gate, Anthony Chabot Regional Park: If you are hiking the entire East Bay National Skyline Trail, the trail climbs steeply out of Bort Meadow. If you are starting at the parking area, however, no such climb is needed. The trail becomes a service road, from which you can turn and look south for the great view of Grass Valley. Hikers are completely exposed on the ascent; it’s hot and dry in the afternoon, so it’s best to go early in the morning. Once on top, it’s an easy hike, with many wildflowers in spring. It then descends into a canyon, and drops you into MacDonald Staging Area. Continue on MacDonald Trail a very short distance to Big Bear Staging Area (hikers only, no bicycles). You will cross Redwood Road, putting you at the entrance to Redwood Regional Park. Bikers can exit on to Redwood Road, but should use caution. Distance: 2.7 miles; climbs 300 feet, then drops 500 feet.
Bort Meadow
Directions: From I-580 in Oakland, take the 35th Avenue exit and drive east (35th Avenue becomes Redwood Road). Drive on Redwood Road three miles past Skyline Boulevard to the Bort Meadow Staging Area, on the right.
MacDonald Gate to Skyline Gate, Redwood Regional Park: Hikers have two options here, and the suggested route is to split off at French Trail to hike up the canyon bottom on Stream Trail, enveloped by redwoods. Note that bikes are banned from this section. The alternative, a must-do for bikers, is to take West Ridge Trail for a steep climb to the canyon rim, then drop to the junction at Skyline Gate. Distance: five miles; French Trail drops 200 feet, then climbs 400 feet; West Ridge Trail climbs 900 feet, then drops 200 feet.
Directions: From I-580 to the west or I-680 to the east, take Highway 24 to Highway 13 and go south. Drive to Redwood Road and turn left. Go straight at the stop sign, then turn right onto Redwood Road at the light. Continue driving east on Redwood Road for 1.7 miles from the intersection of Skyline and turn right into the MacDonald Gate Staging Area.
Skyline Gate through Huckleberry Preserve to Sibley Preserve: This section of trail is a choice hike for nature lovers, who will see an abundance of birdlife and other animals, especially in the early morning and late evening. The trail passes through a deciduous woodland habitat, with a short but quite steep climb after entering Huckleberry Preserve. Distance: three miles; drops 200 feet, then climbs 480 feet.
Directions: From Highway 24 in Oakland, drive east to Highway 13. Go south and drive to Joaquin Miller Road, then head east until you hit Skyline Boulevard. Turn left on Skyline Boulevard and drive to the Skyline Gate Staging Area.
Sibley Preserve to Lomas Cantadas, Tilden Regional Park: A unique section of trail, this part crosses over the Caldecott Tunnel in a relatively unpeopled area. Many hawks are seen here, a nice bonus. Sibley is best known for its volcanic past, and hikers can take a side trip to Round Top Peak (see the Round Top Loop Trail listing in this chapter). This area was a volcanic region 10 million years ago, when the Hayward and Moraga fault systems greatly uplifted this land. Bicycles are permitted on the section of the Skyline Trail between Sibley Staging Area (6800 Skyline Blvd.) to Old Tunnel Staging Area. Distance: 3.4 miles; drops 300 feet, then climbs 600 feet.
Directions: From I-580 to the west or I-680 to the east, drive to Highway 24. Continue to just east of the Caldecott Tunnel and take the Fish Ranch Road exit northwest to Grizzly Peak Boulevard. Turn left and drive to Skyline Boulevard. The park entrance and parking area are on the left.
Lomas Cantadas to Inspiration Point, Tilden Regional Park: This section of trail starts at a major access area off Grizzly Peak Boulevard. Also possible is an adjacent side trip to Vollmer Peak, the highest point on East Bay Skyline National Trail. The trail is then routed north to Inspiration Point at Wildcat Canyon Road, another well-known access point, losing elevation most of the way. Many sweeping views of the East Bay’s untouched foothills are found on this hike. Distance: three miles; drops 860 feet.
Directions: From I-580 to the west or I-680 to the east, drive to Highway 24. Continue to just east of the Caldecott Tunnel and take the Fish Ranch Road exit to Grizzly Peak Boulevard. At the stop sign, turn right and drive on Grizzly Peak Boulevard to Lomas Cantadas Road. Turn right, then immediately turn left, following the signs for the Steam Train to the parking area.
Inspiration Point (Tilden Regional Park) to Wildcat Canyon Regional Park: The last stretch starts at the most heavily used section of the entire route, then crosses its most dramatic and unpeopled terrain. From Inspiration Point, the trail is actually paved for four miles—ideal for bicycles and wheelchairs. Beyond that, the trail turns to dirt and traces San Pablo Ridge, with inspiring views in all directions before dropping steeply into Wildcat Canyon Regional Park in the Richmond foothills. Distance: 7.2 miles; drops 800 feet.
Directions: From I-580 to the west or I-680 to the east, drive to Highway 24. Continue to just east of the Caldecott Tunnel and take the Fish Ranch Road exit northwest to Grizzly Peak Boulevard. Turn right, drive up the hill, and turn right on South Park Drive. Drive one mile to Wildcat Canyon Road, bear right, and drive to the parking area at Inspiration Point, on the left.
Alternate Route: To avoid South Park Drive, which is sometimes closed in the winter due to newt migrations, from Highway 24 go through the Caldecott Tunnel and exit at Orinda. Turn left on Camino Pablo. Drive north for about two miles, then turn left on Wildcat Canyon Road. Follow the road to Inspiration Point on the right.
User Groups: Hikers, dogs, horses, and mountain bikes. Horses and mountain bikes are restricted in some sections. Also see individual trailhead listings.
Permits: No permits are required. Access is free, but a parking fee may be charged at some trailheads.
Maps: For a map of the East Bay Skyline National Trail, contact the East Bay Regional Park District and request the individual regional parks map brochures.
Directions: See individual trailhead listings for specific directions.
Contact: East Bay Regional Park District, 888/327-2757, www.ebparks.org.
1.7 mi/1.0 hr
in Don Castro Regional Recreation Area
Don Castro is a small (23 acres) but pretty lake that attracts swimmers to its lagoon and its clear, warm, blue waters. Take the Shoreline Trail along the north side of the lake. It leads to the upper end of the lake and a bridged crossing on your right and the Whispering Creek Trail. That runs the length of the more remote far side of the lake. Easy, pretty, with good bird sightings. The trail (actually, it’s a road) is routed around the lake for an easy walk or jog in a nice setting. The lake has a fishing pier, swimming lagoon, and is fed by the headwaters of the lake at San Lorenzo Creek.
User Groups: Hikers and dogs. Portions of the trail are paved for bicycle and wheelchair use. No horses.
Permits: No permits are required. An entrance fee of $5 per vehicle is charged when the kiosk is attended; $2 for dogs. A swimming fee is extra.
Maps: A brochure and map are available at the trailhead. For a free trail map, phone the East Bay Regional Park District toll-free at 888/327-2757, option 3, extension 5; follow directions, leave your name and address, and ask for the Don Castro Regional Recreation Area brochure. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Hayward.
Directions: Take I-580 east to Castro Valley and the exit for Grove Way. Take the exit for Grove Way (toward Crow Canyon Road) for 0.2 mile to Grove Way. Turn right and go 0.2 mile, bear slight left onto Center Street and continue 0.5 mile to Kelly Street. Turn left on Kelly and go 0.5 mile to Woodroe Avenue. Turn left on Woodroe and drive 0.5 mile to park entrance on the right.
From westbound I-580, take the exit for Castro Valley/E. Castro Valley Boulevard and drive west on E. Castro Valley Boulevard to Grove Street. Turn left on Grove and continue to Center Street. Bear slight left onto Center Street and continue 0.5 mile to Kelly Street. Turn left on Kelly and go 0.5 mile to Woodroe Avenue. Turn left on Woodroe and drive 0.5 mile to park entrance on the right.
Contact: Don Castro Regional Recreation Area, 510/544-3073 or 888/327-2757; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
at North Gate, Los Vaqueros Reservoir near Brentwood
From near the John Muir Interpretive Center, take the Crest Trail up to the ridge, where you emerge on the Vista Grande Trail. Turn left and walk toward the dam. You get sweeping views across Los Vaqueros Reservoir to the foothills of Morgan Territory and beyond to Mount Diablo. The trail then descends past the dam and back to the interpretive center.
The Los Vaqueros Watershed spans nearly 20,000 acres across deep valleys and foothills roughly between Livermore and Brentwood in remote Contra Costa County. It’s the Bay Area’s biggest lake. The adjoing foothills provide habiat for an abundance of ground squirrels. That furnishes a perpetual food source for the highest numbers of golden eagles (tops in winter when migrants arrive) and bobcat in the region. Other raptors are common.
User Groups: Hikers only; youth ages 12-17 must not hike alone; those under 12 years old must hike with an adult. No mountain bikes, dogs, or horses. Limited wheelchair facilities. Mountain bikes permitted on ranch-style roads elsewhere in watershed.
Permits: No permits are required. A fee of $6 per car is charged. No alcohol is allowed. Helmets are required for all bike riders. No privately owned boats permitted.
Maps: A brochure and map are available online and at the Interpretive Center.
Directions: In Contra Costa County, take Highway 4 east through Antioch past Hillcrest and merge left onto the Brentwood Bypass. Continue on the Bypass (past Oakley and Brentwood) to Walnut Boulevard. Turn right on Walnut and drive one mile to the entrance gate and parking at the John Muir Interpretive Center.
Contact: Los Vaqueros Marina, 925/371-2628, www.ccwater.com/losvaqueros.