5 Hikes To Take In East Bay Regional Parks

EAST BAY — East Bay Regional Parks are an incredible treasure, encompassing 125,000 acres in 73 parks in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

You can do everything from boating to golfing, swimming and camping, mountain biking and horseback riding. But one of the favorites of park visitors is hiking.

The park district maintains over 1,250 miles of trails and 55 miles of shoreline where you can take a stroll as you enjoy the sunset.

Unfortunately, many park amenities are still closed because of coronavirus restrictions. But hiking trails are open.

Here are 5 to try —

Del Valle: The centerpiece of Del Valle Regional Park in Livermore is a five-mile-long lake. The photos above were taken at Del Valle. At just shy of 4,400 acres there are plenty of trails to try from easy to challenging. For an easy hike, try the Swallow Bay Trail which is roughly half a mile long. If you’re looking for a long hike, the 5.5 mile East Shore Trail is considered intermediate. If you are up for a challenge, the Hetch Hetchy Trail is rated difficult.

“Del Valle also is the eastern gateway to the Ohlone Wilderness Trail, 28 miles of scenic back-country trail,” the parks district advises. If you snap any photos of wildflowers while hiking, compare them to the park’s wildflower guide when you return home. Address: 7000 Del Valle Road, Livermore, CA 94550

Coyote Hills: This popular park along the southeast shore of San Francisco Bay in Fremont includes more than 1,266 acres of marshland and rolling grass-covered hills. It’s a great place to combine bird watching with your hike. The 2.2 miles long Alameda Creek Trail is considered easy. If you want more of a challenge, try the intermediate Bay View Trail which is 3.5 miles long, but paved. Address: 8000 Patterson Ranch Road, Fremont, CA 94555

Lake Chabot: If you want to make an entire day of hiking, try Lake Chabot. “Lake Chabot offers over 20 miles of hiking trails, which connect to the additional 70 miles of trails in adjoining Anthony Chabot Regional Park,” the park district reports. “The paved, 3.52-mile West Shore and East Shore trails provide access to the south and east shores of the lake. Various trails in Lake Chabot Regional Park provide access to the Skyline National Trail north of the lake in Anthony Chabot Regional Park.” Address: 17600 Lake Chabot Rd., Castro Valley, CA 94546

Briones: If you are craving rolling green hills, head to Briones. “With its rolling, grassy hills and secluded, shady canyons, Briones is a secret wilderness surrounded by the towns of central Contra Costa County. Although the park is close to Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Concord, and Martinez, there are peaks within it from which you can see only park and watershed lands for miles in every direction.” If the park district’s description sounds like a slice of heaven, the two most popular access points are in Lafayette and Martinez. Try the Vaca Creek Trail from Martinez for an easy hike. There are dozens of trails in the park. Take a look at the trail map. Addresses: 1611 Bear Creek Road, Lafayette, CA and 2537 Reliez Valley Road, Martinez, CA

Tilden Botanic Garden: This unique hike is easy, but you must make a reservation in advance. Make a reservation here. The Botanic Garden is situated in Tilden Regional Park's Wildcat Canyon in the north Berkeley Hills. The garden is devoted to the collection, growth, display, and preservation of native plants of California. All specimens are landscaped, offering an enjoyable exploration. The garden displays nearly all of the state's conifers and oaks, and possibly the most complete collection of California manzanitas anywhere. Address: Off of Wildcat Canyon Road and Grizzly Peak Boulevard, Shasta Rd, Berkeley, CA

Did we miss your favorite park or trail? Pass the word to other hikers in the comments section below.