Our Teen Worker Lucie has some great advice about nearby places to get away from it all with a peaceful afternoon hike.
1. Joaquin Miller Park: Sunset Trail
The Sunset trail is a gorgeous trail shaded by trees on either side for almost 2 miles, with other smaller trails branching off for a quieter and secluded experience. This trail is excellent for a dog walk, or maybe a nice jog. There is usually more activity on the weekends than during the weekdays.
The park is located off of Joaquin Miller Road - there is an exit on Hwy 13 heading towards Berkeley. The surrounding parks and areas are good for recreational usage (parties, picnics etc). The more secluded and higher elevated trails have great views of the Bay Area overlooking North Oakland and the SF Bay. During the warmer months and fall there are a lot of lady bugs that migrate for a short period of time.
Most of the animals are limited to small mammals (squirrels, birds, skunks, and of course dogs). This park is great for family outings or just to get away for a little bit. (There is limited cell service on some of the lower trails, and none on the upper trails).
2. EBMUD Valle Vista Staging Area
This trail head is located off of Canyon Road that comes out of the back of Chabot Regional Park and Skyline Blvd. There is ample parking, and a great view of upper San Leandro Reservoir. This area is great for a short hike or taking the dog out to run around. This area is also quiet warm during the summer months.
3. Shellridge Open Space
Located in Walnut Creek, with a trail head on Rockspring Place, this area is warm in the summer months but has lots of open space and wide trails that head deep into Mount Diablo State Park. Dogs can be off leash after passing the second cattle gate. This area has lots of activity in the lower regions by Old Borges Ranch Picnic grounds, but the smaller trails usually only have bikers and occasional hikers.
Shellridge open space is good for hiking and mountain biking, and it has great scenery, with mostly grassy hills and lower trails that run through the ravine are covered by rocky hillsides and tall oak trees.
