Search MLS listings for homes, houses, condominiums, condos, estates, land, farm, farms, ranch, ranches, real estate in Alamo, Antioch, Blackhawk, Clayton, Concord, Danville, Dublin, Lafayette, Livemore, Moraga, Orinda, Pleasant Hill, San Ramon and Walnut CreekFREE relocation package! Information on moving or relocating to the Bay Area from northern california's top relocation specialist.Information on the California Bay Area communities of Alamo, Antioch, Blackhawk, Clayton, Concord, Danville, Dublin, Lafayette, Livemore, Moraga, Orinda, Pleasant Hill, San Ramon and Walnut CreekOn these pages I'll share some of our favorite day trips around the Bay.
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Since we moved to the Bay area (from Connecticut), Bruce and I have enjoyed exploring northern California's back roads. On these next few pages I'll share some of our favorite day trips around the Bay.

  1. Mt. Diablo
  2. Point Reyes

Diablo Trail / Live Oak TreeAs much as I hate to let out the secret, Mt. Diablo is one of my favorite day trips in the Bay area. With its' summit at 3,849 feet, Diablo is a quiet refuge from the traffic and congestion prevalent in these more popular areas of California. I can't believe how few people use this tremendous resource. There are miles and miles of fire roads for biking and single tracks for hiking that transport you to a natural beauty which cannot be duplicated. Each side of the mountain has its own terrain and personality.
Rock City PhotoAs you hike, keep your eyes open - I have seen bobcats, deer, fox, coyote and tarantulas. We have even come across wild boar, which are normally nocturnal - fortunately they spotted us and ran off up the hill before we surprised them. (They can be dangerous if surprised.)
Stage Road

Tarantulas are normally seen in late summer to early fall, which is their mating season. Even if you don't like spiders, tarantulas are great - they are slow moving and are not at all threatening. They are fragile, so don't poke at them. What we haven't seen, but must be alert for at all times, are rattle snakes and the elusive mountain lion.


Detailed maps of fire roads and hiking trails are available for $5 at the entrance gates on North Gate Road in Walnut Creek and South Gate Road in Danville.
Mtn. Bikes on Wall Point TrailIf you're unfamiliar with Diablo, a good trail to begin with is the Briones - Mt. Diablo Trail which can be accessed through Borges Ranch in Walnut Creek. From Ygnacio Valley Road, take Walnut Avenue (not Walnut Blvd.) towards Diablo. At its end, turn right onto Castle Rock Road and follow it past Northgate High School where it winds for a short distance down through the foothills. Look for a wooden sign for the Ranger Station and Borges Ranch on the right.
Manzanita Tree
You can park at the picnic area, then head up the drive through the old ranch (due South - don't head NW and take the Costanoan trail). Go up a short hill and you'll run into the Briones - Mt. Diablo Trail. Go left (towards the mountain) and before you get to Pine Ridge, there is a single track cutback that will take you down through a wooded area onto the Stage Road towards Castle Rock Park. Any of several trails will take you back to your starting point. This loop should take 3 - 4 hours. I'd strongly advise you to pick up a trail map before you head out, because there are a lot of trails and, although they are well marked, its still very easy to get lost.



Point Reyes National Seashore,

located approximately 1 hour north of San Francisco, consists of 100 square miles of beautiful California wilderness just waiting to be explored. There are a number of different natural attractions, including the cliffs and beaches along Drakes Bay which can be accessed by hiking trails (some are okay for bikes, but bring a lock so you can safely park your bike when the trail turns to single track), the Point Reyes Lighthouse where mid-January and mid-March are peak whale-watching times (we've seen gray whales within 50 yards of shore), the heavy surf along the western beaches and the Tule Elk Reserve at the north end of the peninsula. On this excursion we're hiking out the Tomales Point Trail through the Tule Elk Reserve.
Give yourself about five hours to make the entire 9.4 mile round trip from the parking area at Pierce Point Ranch out to Tomales Point, at the northern-most end of Point Reyes. Then you will have time to stop and rest occasionally and take in the spectacular views. Since you take the same trail out to the point and back, you can shorten your hike to suit your time or energy level.
The topography consists of rolling hills and is not too strenuous, although if you don't hike often the entire trek out to the point and back can really take it out of you. There is no shade along the trail, so make sure you take plenty of sunscreen. Bicycles are prohibited within this part of the wilderness area. In addition to the beautiful scenery you can expect to come across large herds of Tule Elk, with many males sporting impressive racks. If they happen to be grazing near the trail you may be able to get within 50 feet or so, but any closer to that and they move off.
Getting there: From San Francisco, take Rt. 1 north to Olema. Turn left onto Bear Valley Road immediately after the market and two restaurants that make up Olema center. The entrance to Point Reyes is well marked. From the East Bay, take I-580 to San Rafael; get off at the downtown exit and take 4th Street west. It will eventually turn into Sir Francis Drake Highway, which connects with Rt. 1 in Olema.
Don't forget your binoculars. Stop by the Bear Valley Visitor Center for trail maps and information. If you venture off the trail, look out for poison oak and stinging nettles. On your return, stop at the Olema Farm House for dinner. Dress is casual, prices are moderate and the food is excellent. For recorded weather and information call 415·663·9029.



Contact: Joan R. Linton
ReMax CC Connection
DRE #01202040
office 925·906·1826
residence 925·256·1311

E-mail: joan@re-pro.com

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