Bay Area Ridge, Round Top Loop, and Volcanic Trail Loop

From Skyline Blvd, pull into the staging area for Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, you'll see the sign. Parking here is usually easy to find. You'll find an unstaffed visitor center with a restroom, park maps and informational displays featuring the history and geology of the park. Sibley is a 31-mile trail system, leading along the ridgeline between Wildcat Canyon and Anthony Chabot Park. ...

Tucked away in the hills of Oakland, you will find one of the homes of California's Coastal Redwoods. Created by a unique geographical circumstance, this forest breathes winds funneled through the Golden Gate across the bay, which created environment opportune for Redwood growth. These Redwoods are 3rd growth trees dating over 100 years old. This a great place to take a stroll, picnic, hike or...

From the trailhead at Stonewall Road, the 1.5-mile trail makes for an excellent before or after-work run. But the steep hills and loose ground aren’t for those looking to find an easy nature walk. The incline starts well before the Stonewall-Panoramic trailhead, so you won’t even have time to warm up before your fight against gravity begins. With a little perseverance you’ll gain about 700 fe...

A well-known sunset spot in the East Bay, and rightfully so - the views from Grizzly Peak are stunning. You have several pull-offs to pick from. The larger ones have logs to sit upon. The smaller pull-offs offer benches and sturdy rocks. Take your pick! You will share the sunset with some strangers but if you are one for solitude, check out the Northern pull-offs. They are smaller and therefor...

The Redwood Regional Dunn Loop is just outside of Oakland, and can be reached from anywhere in the Bay Area for a fun day or half-day trip. The trail is open year-round. In the spring, wildflowers are abundant. The trail has a great mix of sun and shade. Dogs are allowed, but must be kept on leash. 

Lafayette Reservoir is perfect for canoeing, mountain biking, trail running, and hiking. The Reservoir trail system is also used for nature walks and birding. The loop has several high points that have amazing views. The trails become very muddy after wet weather - so tread with caution.  The Lafayette Reservoir is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to sunset. On Sunday mornings, the Re...