Eagle View Trail

Overview: 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 Road > Eagle View Trail > Vista Grande Road > High Valley Road > Hayfield Road.

Springtime, when the hills are bright green and the California poppies are really popping, is the best time to come, with winter and fall not far behind (the October tarantula-mating season is a crowd-pleaser. Really). Summertime is a bit toasty, especially for this hike, which includes lots of climbing and descending.

Tips: Wear sunscreen, as this is hike is mostly in the sun. Bring plenty of water and perhaps a snack or two to keep your energy up.

Sunol contact: 888-327-2757, option 3, extension 4559.

Park hours: 7 a.m. to dusk all year.

Fees: $5/seasonal, weekends and holidays. $2 per dog (service dogs free).

Driving directions: From Interstate 680, take the Sunol/Calaveras Road exit and take Calaveras Road (a right turn for north-bounders, a left for south-bounders) for a little more than four miles and turn left at Geary Road.