Spanning from Concord to Dublin, the Iron Horse Trail offers a 33-mile stretch perfect for outdoor exercise. Easily accessible to many East Bay residents, the trail beats being cooped up in the gym, or dodging cars while jogging on the road. Since the Iron Horse Trail passes through almost a dozen town and cities, it has no main staging point. Where you enter the trail really depends on where you live. Some people may drive to a nearby parking area, while others can bike or walk to one of many trail-street intersections near their home. I suggest consulting a trail map to see what works best …

With temperatures finally cooling down, it is safe to once again venture out into the sun-exposed hillsides of the Tri-Valley. The reduced heat heralds the waning days of summer, but you can still enjoy the beauty of the fading season. Lizards and other heat-loving creatures are still out in force, and the baked hillsides continue to emit a golden glow. This summer aura won’t last much longer though, and the conjoining Regional Parks of Garin and Dry Creek are a great area to enjoy it while you still can. With plenty of grass covered rolling hills to tromp around, and several worthwhile site-…

Among the dozens of East Bay Regional Parks there are a handful which critters and creatures seems to have a greater affinity for. Usually boasting many acres, these parks give larger animals like deer, coyotes and bobcats ample land to hunt and make a home on. Briones Regional Park is one such place; an over 6,000-acre space teeming with large, small, winged, scaled, and furry wildlife. Briones is accessible from Highway 24, and has five different staging areas spanning from Lafayette to Martinez. To get to the Bear Creek Staging Area, (one of the larger parking areas) take the Orinda/Camino…

Tucked within the hills surrounding Danville is a beautiful destination that locals have taken advantage of for years. A spot boasting vibrant gardens, access to fulfilling hikes, breathtaking views, and an unmatched tranquility. This place is San Damiano, a Franciscan retreat center which offers spiritual guidance to those of any faith, but also a must see for the nature enthusiast. The retreat is only accessible through downtown Danville, via Danville Boulevard. From there you turn onto Prospect Drive, right by the old railway station, and follow it to a split in the road. Here you will see…

Do you ever get bored of the rolling, grassy, oak filled hills of the Tri-Valley? I know I do, but not because they aren’t magnificent. The fact is we are lucky to live so near beautiful expanses of open land like Morgan Territory, Sunol Wilderness, Las Trampas, and Pleasanton Ridge. It’s just that hiking similar terrain week after week can become a little monotonous. Visiting a variety of trail types and environments is important in keeping your treks fun and interesting. That’s why this week I recommend Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve, a place where flora unique to the Bay Area …

Every once in a while it’s a good idea to set aside the hiking shoes and try something different. That’s why this week I’m going to focus on Lake Chabot and urge you to either grab a fishing pole, or jump into a buoyant vessel. Located in Castro Valley, Lake Chabot Regional Park boasts a 315-acre lake and over 5,000 acres of open land covered in a plethora of trails. Coupled with beauty and diverse fauna and flora, it’s no surprise that Lake Chabot is one of the most popular parks of the East Bay Regional Park District. While the trail network is fantastic, in this article I will focus on …

Located within the dense suburbia of the Sycamore Valley are two ridges which have managed to elude development. Luckily, these plots of land which combine to cover almost 700 acres of land are protected by the East Bay Regional Parks District. In a sea of houses it is nice to have at least a small area where nature can thrive, and people can stretch their legs away from concrete. Making up Sycamore Valley Regional Open Space Preserve is Short Ridge to the north and Sherburne Hills to the south. These two units of land are separated by Camino Tassajara, Sycamore Creek, and the residential …

Consult most any Mount Diablo hiking guide, and the “Grand Loop” will likely be a featured trek. It’s just widely accepted by nature enthusiasts that this particular route showcases many of the perks that the mountain has to offer. The journey is teeming with stunning views, diverse flora, a healthy population of raptors, and plenty of terrestrial wildlife. Traversing through multiple terrains in a 360 degree loop around the mountain and ending at the summit, the Grand Loop really embodies the essence of Mount Diablo. The staging point of the hike is located at Juniper Campgrounds which …

Deviating from the norm, this week I explore a place you aren’t likely to find any experienced hikers. Being so small and obscure, Tassajara Creek Regional Park doesn’t even garner a web page on the East Bay Regional Park District site. Because of this, few people know of the park’s existence. Drive by the staging lot and nine out of 10 times it will be empty. That does not mean Tassajara Creek does not have its uses, though. In fact, I have found that it fulfills a perfect hiking niche. Because of its smallness and seclusion, this is a very friendly spot for young children and puppies to …

Covering three acres in Walnut Creek, the Ruth Bancroft Garden houses an oasis of succulents on a desert landscape. It is unlike any garden you have ever seen. What you encounter looks like a terrestrial coral reef, full of strong, hardy plants which densely cover the soil. Larger cacti, appearing in all shapes, sizes, and lethality reach out of this armored terrain. The garden, started by Ruth Bancroft in 1972, is home to plant and tree species originally from Europe, Africa, Arabia, both Americas, Mexico, Australia, and the Mediterranean. Meandering through the grounds is a level gravel …

In the roasting months of summer, hiking is an activity that can lose its appeal. Traversing even a short distance while baking under the sun can seem like a marathon, leaving you exhausted and dehydrated. Stretches of shade on such hikes are a slice of heaven, helping to reinvigorate and cool the body. If only there were a hike on which shade did not come in mere stretches, but instead dominated the trail. Luckily, such hikes exist; it’s just about knowing where they are and how to get there. Las Trampas Regional Wilderness boasts a nice section of such shaded trails; the problem is there …

The dry, hot summer normal to our Tri-Valley has finally kicked in, and no doubt you already have experienced the sweaty, uncomfortable symptoms that come with it. Such conditions can make us lethargic and holing up in a dark, air-conditioned room may seem like the only sensible activity. This does not have to be the case, though. Shadow Cliffs, a popular recreation area in Pleasanton, boasts a lake, several ponds and twisting waterslides full of refreshing water that make the heat bearable and fun. Adults, kids and dogs will find a friendly spot to splash around in at Shadow Cliffs. To get …

Despite the pitter-patter of rain you are likely hearing right now, we have indeed past into June. Hopefully someone lets the weather know soon. When the conditions do finally catch up with the calendar though, hundreds of Bay Area trails will harden under the hot sun and eagerly await shoe, paw, hoof and tire alike. Diablo Foothills Regional Park is a great spot to take advantage of some of these trails. Located in between Alamo and Walnut Creek, Diablo Foothills gets its name from the towering mountain which looms over the park grounds. The area boasts more than 1,000 acres of land and …

I think it’s about time that I focused on a relaxing location, instead of another marathon trek or grueling climb. Dusty trails and sun-baked mountains have to be put aside for swimming holes and picnic tables every once in a while. The perfect spot to make this happen is Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area in Castro Valley. While you can still appease your cravings to be among nature here, it’s really all about having a good time. Getting there is easy. From Interstate 580 head westbound, take the Castro Valley Boulevard exit and continue to Crow Canyon Road. Turn right onto Crow Canyon, …

As we finish up this first week in May, I'm sure you've noticed the growing heat. The transition from spring to summer has begun, and 90 degree-plus weather will soon be the norm. As this happens my column will shift to featuring shaded trails and swimming spots, but this week I'd like to fit in one last hike while some semi-cool days still remain. Trekking up Mission Peak is one of the most popular hikes in the East Bay and if you are successful in reaching the summit, you will realize why. This  hike, with its breathtaking vistas, will make your day. Mission Peak, which is part of Mission …

When visiting a new regional park there are several criteria I use to judge how much I like the area. I look for things like interesting flora and fauna, shaded trails, unique ending destinations (such as waterfalls or rock formations), seclusion, vistas, and accessibility. Each of these features, among others, work in tandem to build up the overall feel of a nature destination. Most often, regional parks possess one or two of these traits while sacrificing others. An example of this is a place like Morgan Territory in Livermore. While providing extreme seclusion and breathtaking flora, it’s …

If you are anywhere in the Tri-Valley, you aren't far from a nice view of Mount Diablo. Towering above all else, this ancient hump is easily the most spectacular geological feature of the East Bay. Despite this fact, Mount Diablo State Park is an area I seldom visit. For some reason, getting there seems more daunting than it actually is. In my mind, it's the grueling drive up the mountain that is the main deterrent. Luckily, there is an alternative to the long ascent. Known mostly to locals of the area, Macedo Ranch offers an easily accessible staging area at the base of Mount Diablo. With a …

One of the few remaining East Bay Regional Parks that Nature Calls has yet to feature is Las Trampas Regional Wilderness. This more than 5,000 acre plot of land features a network of trails which weaves through beautiful canyons and up mountainsides to stunning vistas. To get there, make your way on to the Interstate 680 freeway. Exit on Crow Canyon Boulevard and head west until the road begins to merge into one lane. At the stoplight turn right onto Bollinger Canyon Road, and enjoy the drive. This country road provides a teaser of the tree-laden mountains to come. Drive about four miles and …

In my mind, destination hikes are the best variety. Don't get me wrong, I love to hike a loop, or just meander around until I feel like turning back, but hiking with a focus is optimal. A couple examples of these destination hikes are unique spots like Little Yosemite, or Murrieta falls. They give you something to look forward to with each step. Summiting Maguire Peaks is one such hike, as the ending destination is rather spectacular. The trek up the mountain gets quite steep, but the vistas at the top are more than enough reward to make the hike worth it. To get there, head to Sunol Regional…

In the past, when I’ve been looking for new hikes, the Internet was really my only go-to resource. I would sort through the digital muck, and usually end up trying to decipher electronic maps on my computer screen in hopes that I could map out a suitable route. A few months ago this inefficient method of planning came to a halt, as I came in possession of a tool which made my life as a hiker much easier. "Tri-Valley Trails," a book co-authored by longtime Livermore residents, Jacky Poulsen and Nancy Rodrigue. The book has been a huge time-saver for me, and revealed unknown (to me at least)  …