Take a Hike | SMC Community's Favorite Hiking Adventure Spots

We highlight SMC Faculty, Staff and Students who share their favorite hiking spots around the bay area.

Note: Make sure to visit their website to stay updated on changes and closures.

Take a Hike & Share Your Experience with us!

Harvey Ranch: Forming the natural backdrop to Saint Mary’s College of California in Moraga, Harvey Ranch is an easy gateway into the difficult-to-reach wilderness formed by Las Trampas Regional Wilderness and the San Leandro Watershed.
Valley Vista Staging Area: Most people use the Valle Vista Staging Area to access the popular King Canyon Loop Trail. The Rimer Creek Loop is a much shorter alternative if you’re looking for something quicker and easier. And it is a nice birding loop, if you want to spend more time with your binoculars and less time hiking.

Joaquin Miller Park, Oakland, CA: This park has it all - beautiful paths that meander through meadows, redwood groves, and oak woodlands. My personal favorites are the peaceful, single-path trails that lead you deeper into the park, but I would suggest not choosing these during peak hours as it would be more difficult to pass fellow hikers using appropriate social distancing.
Lafayette Ridge Trail, Lafayette, CA: The views of Mt. Diablo are stunning. And this time of year usually features beautiful wildflowers and sweeping vistas of lush, green rolling hills. Can be steep at some points.

Lafayette Reservoir Rim Trail: The Lafayette Reservoir is surrounded by a 2.8 mile winding paved path along the shoreline, and a 4.7 mile rim trail. There are fire-road connectors between the two circular trails. The rim trail is a dirt fire road on the ridge tops. It leads you through brushlands and oak forests overlooking the reservoir.
East Ridge Trail: Amid the tall pines and thick vegetation, this trail enjoys plenty of sun. Weaving through groves of redwoods and grassy meadows, the trail is suitable for hiking, running, and biking

Director, Department of Environmental and Earth Sciences

Huckleberry Nature Trail, Oakland or Canyon (staging area on Pinehurst or on Skyline) approximately 3-mile loop, moderate elevation gain. Close to SMC, lots of diverse flora with interpretation signage.
Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, Oakland (staging area on Grizzly Peak at Skyline - Fish Ranch Road Staging Closed) several loop hikes of various lengths most under 3 miles. Stone labyrinths in the quarry, cool geology interpretive hike, and pretty wildflowers this time of year.

King's Canyon Loop Trail in Moraga. This is a great hike tucked and hidden away in the back of Moraga, but it has gorgeous views of the Upper San Leandro Reservoir!
Waterfalls Loop of Mount Diablo in Clayton. This is my all-time favorite hike to do!! It's definitely on the longer and tougher side with some steep hills, but so worth it! You get to see and explore a few different waterfalls which are incredible, and just after the rainy season in spring is the best time to do it.
Redwood Regional Park in Oakland. A very fun and scenic hike wandering through insanely tall redwoods trees. Perfect to-do on a hot day because it's all shaded and beautiful.

Sycamore Grove Park (Vineyard Trail) in Livermore for a low-key hike 4 miles round trip. I like it because it is super pretty and you end up at Wente Vineyards.
Dublin Hills Regional Park- It winds through fields with hills and some nice views. You have to dodge cows sometimes, but super close to my house for the days that you have limited time. Trails that branch off and you can explore.

P leasanton Ridge: This beautiful 9090-acre parkland is on the oak-covered ridge overlooking Pleasanton and the Livermore Valley from the west.
Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreational Area, Pleasanton. With this start, the Park District has developed a 266-acre park including an 80-acre lake and ample parking and picnic grounds.
Martin Canyon Creek Trail up to Dublin Hills Regional Park in West Dublin: It’s a great trail that starts along a creek and slowly climbs up the Dublin hills to end with a great view of the Tri-Valley.

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