Nicasio, California

Continue by car down Castle Rock Road until it dead ends at the beginning of the trail. Parking is usually easy to find. If full, there is another overflow lot about 500 ft back the way you came in.You'll walk a good half mile down the trail before getting the main gate. As you're walking, you'll...

The Sawyer Camp Trail is a popular paved trail that stretches alongside the Crystal Springs Reservoir all the way to Hillcrest Blvd. The sixth mile crosses over the San Andreas Dam with nice views of San Andreas Lake.There are markers every half mile which makes timing and tracking your run easy....

The Foster City Lagoon is one of the most calm waters to paddle on.  This is a great spot for beginners to learn how to paddleboard for the first time. The lagoon gets very still and makes it the perfect spot for reflection photos.  On sunny days, there are many kayakers, SUP, small boats, and ev...

Sugarloaf is tucked away in Laurelwood Park which is located in a residential neighborhood right off of Hwy 92 in San Mateo, making this a great hiking & trail running option for Peninsula residents.I always park on Glendora Dr. and follow the paved path down towards the playground. At the bo...

Winter and spring rains create scenic waterfalls in this hike at Mount Diablo, the East Bay's signature peak. Be careful hiking immediately post-rain, watch for slippery sections of mud. The trail is moderately difficult and is used by hikers, walking groups, trail runners, and for nature trips. ...

Although steep in sections, this trail is a wonderful workout and hikers are more than rewarded for their efforts. The Rock City Trail is a direct route to the summit of Mount Diablo, and the park is an ecological treasure dear to the hearts of Bay Area residents. The best views are on clear days...

From the official trailhead, start off by taking the Homestead Trail, which forks towards the right. A trail connecting Homestead and Blue Ridge will take you to a creek nearby. Veer off the trail along the creek and there is a water hole for cooling off on hot days. Onward into the trail, you wi...

Getting there: exit Highway 280 at Edgewood Road, travel .75 miles east, turn left on Crestview Drive, then immediately left again on Edmonds Road.Once parked, there are several different path options through the park. All of them connect in a large loop, and return to the parking lot. The Cordil...

There are two places to park for this specific loop- the main parking area on Highway 35 (Skyline Boulevard) and a smaller parking lot on the western end of the park. I would recommend parking at whichever is closest. Find directions to both on Openspace.org. From the main parking lot, the trail ...

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 tra...

Salt Point State Park, about 90 miles north of San Francisco, features rugged, windswept coastline and dramatic forests of cypress, pine and redwoods. The Central Trail is a great way to experience much of the inland portion of the park including a unique highland Prairie where elk graze and are ...

Salt Point State Park, about 90 miles north of San Francisco, features rugged, windswept coastline and dramatic forests of cypress, pine and redwoods. The North trail is a great way to experience much of the inland portion of the park including the unique Pygmy Forest, named for the stunted trees...

This loop hike will provide people with the opportunity to experience the tranquility of the lower canyons of the preserve, which tend to be more isolated than the heavier-trafficked trails that are closer to the main highway. Be warned that this hike is fairly strenuous because of the large amou...