Contra Costa County, California

Looking for the best hiking in Contra Costa County? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Contra Costa County. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Contra Costa County

  • Mill Valley, California

    Hill 88 Loop

    4.0
    5.5 mi / 1086 ft gain
    This quick, yet challenging trail run is located just minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Grab your dog (on-leash), park in the large lot next to Rodeo Beach and hit the trail! The climb starts up the Coastal Trail to the right end of the parking lot if you're staring at the beach. Take the...
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  • Mill Valley, California

    Coastal Trail Loop

    2.57 mi / 420 ft gain
    Coastal Trail Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Sausalito, California.
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  • Mill Valley, California

    Coastal Trail from Rodeo Beach to Muir Beach

    11.35 mi / 3264 ft gain
    This hike has beautiful views in the Marin Headlands. You'll find easy parking in the Rodeo Beach Parking lot if you get there early (by 8:30 am). This hike goes along the Coastal Trail which has a few steep areas as you make your way to Tennessee Beach. The Tennessee Beach has gorgeous dark b...
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  • Daly City, California

    Mussel Rock Loop

    4.0
    1.95 mi / 322 ft gain
    Mussel rock, a three-story, 50 million year old rock that has been carried some 500 miles northwest from Southern California, is where the San Andreas fault meets the Pacific Ocean. It's also an excellent spot to drink some wine and catch a sunset. From San Francisco, take Highway 1 south towar...
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  • Napa, California

    Lake Marie Road, Marie Creek, Buckeye Trail Loop

    3.5
    5.8 mi / 961 ft gain
    Enter the parking lot just off of Hwy 221. Plan to pay a $5 entrance fee at the kiosk. The trail head begins at the edge of the parking lot where you'll soon be passing by the Martha Walker Native Habitat Garden on your right. Veer left to continue along Lake Marie Road where you'll enter the blu...
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  • Mill Valley, California

    Miwok, Coyote Ridge and Coastal Trail Loop

    5.0
    5.97 mi / 1191 ft gain
    Miwok, Coyote Ridge and Coastal Trail Loop is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Mill Valley, California.
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  • Larkspur, California

    Blithedale Loop

    4.0
    3.47 mi / 1027 ft gain
    Blithedale Loop is a loop trail that provides a good opportunity to see wildlife located near Corte Madera, California.
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  • Larkspur, California

    Baltimore Canyon Via Dawn Falls Trail Loop

    5.93 mi / 1309 ft gain
    Baltimore Canyon via Dawn Falls Trail Loop is a loop trail that takes you through a forested setting at the start, up switchbacks to Dawn Falls, and then to views of King Mountain Open Space Preserve as you loop back along Southern Marin Line Road. This is a dog friendly (on-leash) trail located ...
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  • Larkspur, California

    King Mountain Loop Trail

    5.0
    3.53 mi / 755 ft gain
    This beautiful hike takes you around King Mountain and through the King Mountain Open Space Preserve. The first .5 miles is on an exposed gravel fire road that is fairly steep, but the loop itself slopes gently around the mountain and through the forest, providing lots of shade.  This is a an ea...
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  • Palo Alto, California

    Arastradero Preserve: Juan Batista & Meadowlark Loop

    3.0
    4.65 mi / 597 ft gain
    Getting There: From Hwy 280, take the Page Mill Road exit and head West on Page Mill Road, away from Downtown Palo Alto (if you're taking 101, exit on Oregon Expressway). Then turn right on Arastradero Road. There will be a small sign indicating the dirt parking lot on the eastern side of the st...
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  • Redwood City, California

    Crystal Springs Trail Loop

    4.0
    5.4 mi / 1227 ft gain
    This is a great hike for any season of the year, with rushing streams during the winter, wildflowers in the spring, and cool, shaded canyons during the summer. Starting from near the Zwierlein Picnic area, take the Crystal Springs to the left into the redwood forest. Stay straight at the next tr...
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  • Sausalito, California

    Dias Ridge

    5.0
    6.09 mi / 968 ft gain
    Dias Ridge is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near Sausalito, California.
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  • Mill Valley, California

    Dipsea Trail

    4.6
    13.03 mi / 3701 ft gain
    The Dipsea Race is the 2nd oldest foot race in the US. The race is named after the Dipsea Inn at the end of the trail at Stinson Beach. The good news is that you can enjoy this scenic trail and its sweeping ocean views at your leisure. The bad news is that the race is only one-way. If you choose,...
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  • Mill Valley, California

    Homestead Open Space Big Loop

    5.0
    2.48 mi / 709 ft gain
    Homestead Open Space Big Loop is a moderately trafficked loop trail located near Mill Valley, California.
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  • Larkspur, California

    Dawn Falls Trail Loop

    2.79 mi / 466 ft gain
    The Dawn Falls Trail Loop is a scenic, moderately challenging hike nestled in the Baltimore Canyon Open Space Preserve in Larkspur, part of Marin County’s beloved network of forested trails. This lush, shaded loop winds through towering coast redwoods, fern-covered canyons, and quiet residentia...
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  • Larkspur, California

    Dawn Falls Trail

    4.7
    2.29 mi / 344 ft gain
    Take the Dawn Falls trail down into the Baltimore Canyon for an in-depth exploration of northern California nature. Rather than the usual dry, hardy vegetation that speckles the hills of many nearby trails, this trail is bursting with lush ferns and mossy trees as it meanders along next to Larksp...
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