Guides
3-day hike showcases best of the Santa Cruz Mountains
Campers flock to the forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains south of San Francisco; most are content to pitch a tent plucked from the trunk of their car, but hardy hikers prefer roughing it with all they need strapped on their backs. Two of the Bay Area's most popular hiking locales -- Castle Rock and Big Basin Redwoods state parks -- promise one of...
Extra-strenuous hike goes to Monument Peak, Mission Peak and back over 14 miles in an excellent spring outing.
Hiking to Monument Peak from Ed Levin County Park, huffing it over to Mission Peak and returning is a true test of mettle for San Francisco Bay Area trekkers. If you're up for it, this is a great way to summit Mission Peak and skip the crowds--and parking hassles--at the popular Stanford Avenue entrance to Mission Peak Regional Preserve. Instead,...
4.2 mile trail in Ed Levin County Park, California
Monument Peak is about 4.2 miles long and located near Milpitas, California. This hike is from Sandy Wool Lake in Ed Levin park to Monument Peak summit via the Monument Peak Trail and is great for hiking and normally takes 1-3 hours.
Easy trails and mass migrations make this one of the best birdwatching locales in the San Francisco Bay Area
The ducks, geese, pelicans and egrets are only the most visible among the fascinating array of waterfowl hanging out near the Alviso Environmental Education Center of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The trailhead near Alviso on the southernmost edge of San Francisco Bay does have issues: one is the smell, thanks to an...
The nation's first urban National Wildlife Refuge is a jewel on the San Francisco Bay.
The nation's first urban National Wildlife Refuge is a jewel on the San Francisco Bay. Its 30,000 acres of open bay, salt pond, salt marsh, mudflat, upland, and vernal pool habitats are constantly changing. It's a great place to hike or watch birds. It's also a great place to see up close how a salt pond is turned back into wetlands. Look around...
See San Francisco Bay from high atop Mission Peak in Fremont, CA, USA. Strenuous 6-mile loop hike
Mission Peak, one of the most popular East Bay hikes, is a great workout with 2,000 feet of climb in two miles and spectacular views of San Francisco Bay and the Diablo Range once you reach the summit. Most hikers are content to take the so-called Hidden Valley Trail (which is neither hidden nor in a valley) to the summit, but there is a far more...
Hike to the backcountry just beyond the popular park on southeast edge of Silicon Valley.
The distance from sprawling, suburban San Jose to wide-open mountain-lion country is remarkably short--if you start out from Alum Rock Park. This track will have you walking in the wilderness in about an hour. It starts at the parking lot of Alum Rock Park on the southeast corner of San Jose, climbs steeply to the hills just beyond the city limits,...
Temperature, terrain and amenities make the Bay Area one of the world's top destinations for outdoor recreation.
You've been to Alcatraz and done the Golden Gate Bridge, so what's next? Well, if you're into outdoor recreation, you'll have the time of your life in the hills, waterways and forests of the Bay Area. The boom times after the Gold Rush of 1849 created great fortunes and nearly destroyed much of the region's natural wonders, but preservation efforts...
4.7 mile trail in Alum Rock Park, California
This hike is about 4.5 mile round trip and can be done easily in less than 1.5 hours. It starts at around 800 ft and drops to 600 in .25 mile. Then it meanders till the start of South Rim Trail. There it climbs about 300 ft in 0.3 miles. There is a nice bench there if you are inclined to stop. Keep going to keep the cardio up. The next 0.8 miles...
Alum Rock Park, created in 1872 as the first municipal park in California, offers ancient rocks & new geologic changes.
Just a few minutes outside of San Jose, you'll find a place to explore 100 million years of history. Alum Rock Park, created in 1872 as the first municipal park in California, offers both ancient rocks and new geologic changes (and lots of nice trails and wildlife, too). Despite its longevity and proximity to a populous urban area, it remains one of...
A short, steep hike up Flag Hill promises grand scenery and offers a great way to introduce your kids to hiking.
Sunol Regional Wilderness is one of the best hiking locales in the East Bay hills northeast of Silicon Valley. This Flag Hill Loop is one of the best ways to see Sunol. This loop is relatively short at 3.7 miles, but it's no cakewalk: Flag Hill summit is 1.3 miles and 900 feet above the Sunol headquarters. It's a tough climb, but it's over soon...
Get out of the office and see the Heritage Rose Garden and other downtown San Jose attractions
A paved trail along the Guadalupe River in downtown San Jose, California, might be just what you need to work off some stress or even ride your bike to work. The Guadalupe River Park starts near the Children's Discovery Museum at the south end of Downtown San Jose and runs northward for 2.5 miles to Interstate 880. It's easily accessible via...
This back-door route to Mission Peak is a wilder, quieter alternative to more popular trails
This is one of the longest approaches to the Mission Peak summit, and I think it's the best. It starts out at the park headquarters of Sunol Regional Wilderness and follows the Ohlone Wilderness Trail westward to the popular East Bay peak. Stretching the ascent to the peak across five miles, the route climbs through oak woodland on a peaceful, little-used...
17.8 mile trail in the Ohlone Regional Wilderness, California
Rose Peak, the highest point (1,813 ft.) in Alameda county, is located at the mid-point of the section of Ohlone WIlderness trail between Sunol and Del Valle. For backpackers, this is definitely one of the places to visit during their multi-day trip along the famous Ohlone WIlderness trail. But for hikers who want to hike Rose Peak within a day, the...
A great way to see the East Bay hills; nature abounds just minutes from civilization
Sunol Regional Wilderness will make you forget you're just five miles from the nearest Interstate highway. The 6,858-acre park in the East Bay hills north of Silicon Valley has rolling hills, heart-healthy trails, remarkable rocks and abundant wildlife. To go there is to see what this part of California looked like before all the white people showed...
Gradual route is a less-strenuous option for hiking to the top of the popular East Bay peak
Mission Peak gets throngs of hikers but only a few savvy trekkers take this route to the summit -- an eight-mile out-and-back that stretches out the 2,000-foot ascent to the summit (the most-popular route ascends a similar height in a 5.2-mile out-and-back). It starts from the parking lot at Ohlone College along Mission Boulevard in Fremont, California....
Peak bag the jewel of Ohlone Wilderness, Rose Peak (3,817 ft.), in one day.
Rose Peak (3,817 ft.), the highest peak in Alameda county, is remotely located in Ohlone Wilderness and can only be accessed by foot for the public. This 18 miles round-trip hike, gaining almost 4,000 feet in elevation change, takes you there and back from Sunol Regioanl Park in one day. The trail is well marked with trail posts along the way. Each...
10.4 mile trail near Fremont, California
Mission Peak from Sunol is about 10.4 miles long and located near Fremont, California. The trail is great for hiking and normally takes 2-3 hours. Warning: there is no water anywhere on this trail, make sure to bring adequate supply, especially on hot summer days. This is a more shady alternative to the typical Mission Peak hike from Stanford Avenue...
Rock formations and rushing waters make this an excellent hike in the East Bay hills.
This is a great springtime hike to the "Little Yosemite" section of Sunol Regional Wilderness, so named because its rock formations and rushing waters are a little bit like Yosemite. A challenging option after checking out Little Yosemite is to take a left turn at the "W" tree (you can't miss it) and take on the rocks scramble up into a narrow canyon....
Eagle View is one of the best of many great trails at Sunol Wilderness in the hills east of Fremont, California
Eagle's View Trail in Sunol Wilderness dives into a canyon and climbs up out of it to reveal stunning vistas of the park and the nearby East Bay hills. As scenery goes, this is about as good as it gets in the San Francisco Bay Area. This is an upper-end moderate loop hike on these trails: Indian Joe Creek Trail > Cave Rocks Road > Eagle View...
Hike Maguire Peaks Loop and you might be lucky enough to see the herd of Tule Elks.
Located in the northwest corner of Sunol Regional Wilderness, Maquire Peak is one of the least visited area in this popular hiking ground. This easy 4.7 miles hike provides great solitude and nice views on San Antonio Reservoir for hikers. If you are lucky enough, you might be able to see the herd of Tule Elks wandering somewhere near the reservoir....
This beefy 22-mile trek hits all the high points of the park in the hills east of San Jose
Tenderfoots need not attempt: This loop hike across parallel ridges of Joseph D. Grant County Park offers sweeping views of the wild, mountainous terrain nearby and occasionally looks out over the southern end of Silicon Valley to the west. And if 22 miles seems daunting, bear in mind the the most practical place to park for this hike -- next at...
Escape the crowds and take in the sights on this loop at the popular park west of Cupertino.
This route at Rancho San Antonio County Park and Open Space Reserve ventures beyond the popular sections of the park to offer a diverse introduction to the terrain on the eastern side of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Rancho, as the locals call it, draws big crowds with its abundance of flat trails and attractions at Deer Park Farm, but few visitors...
Easy hike to a barnyard full of cows, chickens and other critters is a favorite spot at the park west of Mountain View
An easy walk to a working farm makes Deer Hollow a prized family outing in the South Bay. Cows moo, hens cackle, roosters crow -- all on a farm maintained by the city of Mountain View. The farm also features sheep, pigs, gardens, farm implements and a chance to look into the bedroom window of a 19th century farmhouse. Kid-centric events are staged...
A great loop hike for wildlife and wildflower scouting at the park in the hills east of San Jose.
This hike gives a nice overview of Joseph D. Grant County Park, passing through its distinctive oak-woodland ecosystem but sparing you from the brutal ascents and descents that characterize so many of the hikes in this park. Grant County Park (often called "Grant Ranch" because the land was once owned by prominent ranchers of the same name) does...
One of the best hikes in the county park in the hills east of San Jose, California
This is one of my favorite loops in Joseph D. Grant County Park in the hills east of San Jose. It starts at Halls Valley Lake and climbs steeply into the nearby hills along the Yerba Buena Trail (with a highly recommended side trip to McCreery Lake). It turns at the Canada De Pala Trail and returns on the Halls Valley Trail. Along the way you'll...
Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park is an excellent escape from the East Bay suburban sprawl.
Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park is an often overlooked getaway from the seemingly never-ending suburbs that fringe the San Francisco Bay Area. This hike from the Foothills Staging Area is an excellent introduction to the park: long enough to get your heart rate up, but not nearly as arduous as some hikes in the nearby hills. Trails on this track:...
2.6 mile trail near Cupertino, California
Seven Springs Trail is about 2.6 miles long and located near Cupertino, California. The trail is great for hiking and normally takes 1-3 hours. The trail-head starts at end of Prospect Road and there is plenty of shaded parking spaces. This route follows the seven springs trail up and the woodhills loop trail down to rance road and back to the...
A scenic 4-mile loop on steep, paved trails with great views on Stanford University and the San Francisco Bay.
The Stanford Dish loop is a popular route for Stanford University students as well as Silicon Valley professionals. Its steep paved trail is suitable for running, walking, and hiking. Bicycles are not allowed. Opening hours vary depending on the month of the year: January 6:30 AM-5:30 PM February 6:30 AM-6 PM March 6 AM-6:30 PM April 6 AM-8 PM May...
Great hike from Los Altos Hills, towering 2812' over Silicon Valley.
Towering over Silicon Valley, waaaay back to the rear of Rancho San Antonio, lies 2812' Black Mountain. Starting at the little-known Rhus Ridge parking lot, you can enjoy a healthy workout and a grand panoramic view of Silicon Valley! The unusual snow picture was taken in December 2008. Your hike is much more likely to be sunny and dry! Other...
Gentle climbs, scenic bay views and traces of American Indian heritage await at the west edge of Fremont, California
Coyote Hills Regional Park is a great place to introduce a friend to hiking: scenic and steep enough to warm somebody to the idea of nice days walking on dirt. If the modest hills overlooking San Francisco Bay force you to work up a sweat on the way up the Red Hill Trail, you can cool down by walking the wide gravel Bayview Trail along water's edge....
Hiking above the reservoir at Stevens Creek Park
The Tony Look trail starts just upstream of the Stevens Creek Reservoir and continues downstream as it climbs the adjoining bluffs. It starts in a heavily forested area but opens up to chaparral and grassy hillside with increasing elevation. I've marked the trail as Moderation, but the climbing is not to difficult and the views are very nice. On...
The best hike in Dry Creek Pioneer Park provides great scenic views on the east bay and solitude you're looking for.
Tolman Peak (997 ft. elevation) is located at the southeast side of Garin / Dry Creek Pioneer Park, which is part of East Bay Regional Park System. This site was also famous for a plane (MD DC-6B) crash in 1951. This 5 miles round-trip hike takes you from the park's Tamarack entrance to the peak and back. It starts with easy uphill hike , several creek...
11.0 mile trail near Grant Ranch, California
If you like sweeping vistas, wildflowers, and (ahem) squirrels, this is a hike you should consider. At eleven miles, its relatively lengthy, but starting at Twin Gates eliminates some of the elevation gain and makes it a little easier in that regard. The Canada de Pala trail goes up from the parking lot, past the upper end of the Yerba Buena trail...
Nice 1.4 mile trail for a quick hike with kids. Also suitable as an extension to other trails in Arastradero.
Arastradero Park offers nice trails for hiking, mountain biking and horse back riding. This guide describes the Redtail Loop Trail, which is the only trail on this site of Arastradero Road. The majority of trails is at the other site of the road. The Redtail loop is a short, 1.4 mile trail that provides an achievable goal for little kids. It has...
A tough-but-rewarding hike to the San Francisco Bay Area's highest waterfall.
It takes strong legs and an even stronger sense of humor to take on the trek to Murietta Falls. If you can laugh off the prospect of hiking six miles one way with over 4,000 feet of ascent for a waterfall without any actual water in it, you have a strong chance of enjoying this hike. Murietta Falls is a remote, rocky slit in the backcountry...
Rugged but rewarding trek is best way to see East Bay backcountry
Ohlone Wilderness Trail is one wicked walk: 28 miles in two days with over 7,600 feet of elevation gain. But it's worth the strain as you soak up amazing vistas, scout for wildlife and marvel at being in such a remote locale so close to a huge metropolis. (Large raptors like eagles and hawks can often be spotted swooping down on their doomed prey)....
Get a good workout and explore the history of the hills east of Hayward at Garin-Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park.
Ancient traditions and recent tragedies form the backdrop for this 10-mile hike at Garin-Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park in the hills east of Hayward, California. The tradition: mortar holes the Ohlone peoples used to grind acorns into flour near Gossip Rock, a loop/spur from the park's High Ridge Loop Trail. The tragedy: a 1951 airliner crash...
Excellent hike through the redwoods just west of Saratoga and south of San Jose, California
Sanborn Skyline County Park gets pretty busy on many weekends with family reunions, wedding receptions and other assorted gatherings -- if you end up at one and find yourself craving a hike instead of all that company, this is the loop to take. It starts on the San Andreas Trail and takes a vigorous march up the hillside west of the park. The trail...
