Contra Costa County, California

Looking for the best running 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 Running Spots in and near Contra Costa County

  • Mill Valley, California

    Miwok, Marincello and Bobcat Trail

    8.17 mi / 1391 ft gain
    Miwok, Marincello and Bobcat Trail is a scenic 8.2-mile loop trail in the Marin Headlands offering panoramic Bay Area views Trail Overview Distance: 8.2 miles Elevation Gain: 1,177 feet Difficulty: Moderate Type: Loop Location: Marin Headlands, Golden Gate National Recreation Area Best...
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  • San Rafael, California

    Gold Hill Grade to Nike Missile Site

    4.7
    4.37 mi / 988 ft gain
    The Gold Hill Grade to Nike Missile Site trail in San Rafael, California, is a moderately challenging hike. The trail spans approximately 4.37 miles round trip, with an elevation gain of about 988 feet. The path is well-maintained and marked, making it suitable for hikers of varying skill levels....
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  • San Francisco, California

    Fort Funston Trail

    4.7
    1.81 mi / 253 ft gain
    Fort Funston is an SF gem I discovered when looking for a dog friendly hike near the city. Located west of Lake Merced, you'll find a gorgeous Northern California beach oasis where you and your dog can run wild and free :). Parking is located at the top of the park where you'll descend a steep se...
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  • San Bruno, California

    Sweeney Ridge via Sneath Lane

    4.5
    3.88 mi / 646 ft gain
    Starting from the parking lot on Sneath Lane Trail, you’ll head through the gate and continue on the path up Sweeney Ridge. This is a 5.7 mile out-and-back trek. There is a 600 ft. elevation gain, which comes mainly in the first 1.5 miles of the trail. Your legs and lungs may hurt a bit, but if t...
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  • Mill Valley, California

    Point Bonita Lighthouse

    1 mi / 210 ft gain
    Point Bonita Lighthouse stands as a historic sentinel at the entrance to San Francisco Bay, offering visitors a unique blend of maritime history, stunning coastal views, and natural beauty. This comprehensive guide will help you plan an unforgettable visit to one of California's most dramatic l...
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  • Mill Valley, California

    Coyote Ridge Loop

    5.0
    6.15 mi / 1001 ft gain
    Starting just before the Tennessee Valley parking lot, head out from the Miwok Trailhead. This Mill Valley hike offers incredible views of the San Francisco Bay, the Pacific Ocean (fog permitting of course!), and on occasion, wildlife. Unfortunately, this trail is not dog-friendly.  Keep in mind...
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  • Pacifica, California

    Milagra Overlook Trail

    5.0
    2.51 mi / 558 ft gain
    Found this hike with some friends after spending some time googling in my car when we were in the area looking for a quick hike with a view!   Dog friendly Free parking (but quite limited) Ocean views Known to have gorgeous wildflower blooms (we were not there during this)Porta-potty type toilet...
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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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  • 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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