It was good to find a new trail, at least new for me since it's been open to the public since 2010. As part of the John Muir Land Trust (and not East Bay Regional Parks), the trail is just south of Highway 4 between Hercules and Martinez, definitely an isolated area of grassy hills with the added challenge of Highway 4 speed demons who believe the speed limit doesn't apply to them. Heading east, I had to slow down to take a minor exit onto Christie Road. The trailhead is only 0.7 miles down a paved road, though the parking lot itself is on gravel. There's a restroom and a suspension bridge they built as the starting point of the hike. I followed the Windmill Trail and failed to see the windmill. I did see the old dairy farm and a herd of cows who had little interest in my presence. The trail climbs a bit to a locked gate protecting the Pinole Valley Watershed. That was my cue to follow the woodsy Woodrat Trail and then the Whipsnake Trail for the elevated views. Luckily I didn't run into either woodrats nor whipsnakes, but I did see young deer jumping in a large meadow next to the concluding Black Phoebe Trail. The entire loop was less than four miles but still a reasonable workout if you need the steps RELATED - Up for a hike? Here's a collection of trails I've walked and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2OrC8nU read more

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I am not a local around here but my in-laws are. I needed to find a nice decent trail to hike in for my weekend hikes. I did the 'Black Phoebe to a Windmill Trail' loop which was only four miles and around 680ft. Make sure to go clock wise on the loop. I would consider this an easy trail; zigzag trails to higher elevation so it's good for beginners and kids. On 'AllTrails' app they considered this a moderate trail. Plenty of shade for those hot summers. Nice loose dirt but not good once winter hits and it rains. Some horse poops, some cows and their poops and was dry when we hiked. This place has a good amount of private car parking and a place to have a day picnic. There is no garbage cans or water access so bring your own. There is two other longer trails in this ranch so I will be back when I get a chance. Definitely, a nice trail to come to for a nice hike. [62/100] read more

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I went to Fernandez Ranch. I enjoyed Fernandez Ranch. And I sighed with some sadness, because such a remote spot like this, likely with no street address, no way will this be on Yelp, and I wasn't sure if it could be put onto Yelp (is this Hercules or Martinez?). Well, guess what: someone put it on Yelp. Oh well, married men are accustomed to always being wrong, or at least hearing that from their wives. The John Muir Land Trust preserves don't get as much attention as the East Bay Regional Parks. And they're intentionally undeveloped. So you need to really make an effort to reach them, and don't plan on doing anything but exploring the natural world. Fernandez Ranch is easier to reach than others, and is more developed than the others, but is still mostly left as it has been for 100 years. It has a parking lot and restrooms, but beyond that, it's romping over fire roads and narrow trails. Grasslands. Hills. Cows. Patches of oak forest. Views of the East Bay. Cows. Leftover infrastructure from when this was a ranch. Cows. Cow patties. Watch your step. So far, Fernandez Ranch sounds like a lot of other preserves in this area. And it is similar to the others. But because it's remote, more undeveloped, and lesser known, you're more likely to have more solitude here. Which means no rush to get the perfect photo, study old growth, imagine this lifestyle during the 1920s, or contemplate the meaning of life (hint: five letters, starts with a J). Enjoy yourself. read more

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I forgot I've been to Fernandez Ranch almost 11yrs ago. Went Sat 4/3/21 I drove from Fremont which is 45miles away, traffic was ok until Hwy 80 where there was an accident earlier, so took more than 45 min. Free parking and there is an Overflow lot if there are too many cars. 1 vault toilet had tp and trash can inside. No drinking water there so bring your own. We went to the Windmill Trail there is an old windmill that works, then we went Pinole Valley Watershed where u need a permit to hike in (friend has a permit). After a long day hiking in the Watershed area I felt a bit more energy. I thought 3 more miles would be easy, but we had already done like 11 miles. Still we did those 3 extra miles. Woodrat Trail was short, but Whipsnake Trail was super long and went up with many switchbacks, then did Black Phoebe Trail that's ADA approved (good for wheelchair). We saw a Coyote, lots of cows, lots of turkeys, and birds. read more

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Fernandez Ranch what a gem! Great hiking trails not too strenuous, but challenging at times. Views of rolling hills, wildlife birds of prey, rabbits, coyotes. We just love coming here. Until today Our car was broken into along with several other cars. Nothing was taken because there was nothing to take. Resulting in two broken windows. These are mobile thieving jerks trying to make a fast buck. read more

Fernandez Ranch - Broken passenger window. - Hiking Near Me - Martinez, California

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There was something in the air that night The stars were bright, Fernandez... I may have been humming this slightly modified Abba tune during part of our group hike here, even though it was in the daytime. We hit the December weather just right - cool and crisp; and we were treated to blue skies, gorgeous oaks and rolling, open hills. Like most of the exposed East bay hikes, the cooler months are the best time to go here. (Per my East Bay hiking contact, the summer can be fairly brutal at this location). And if you are feeling boviniferous, you're in luck. There is still a working dairy farm on the property, so quite a few cows can be seen munching grass in some sections of the park. And where there are cows, there are also patties, so we did have to stay vigilant for 'land mines' along the trail. Our group completed a 7-mile loop, breaking for lunch at a lone hill at the end of the vista trail. This perch provided 360 degree views and showed us that civilization actually wasn't too far in some directions; but the park layout and semi-clandestine entrance had made it feel like it was our own private, secluded hiking area. Note: It's easy to miss the turnoff on Christie road, off Rte 4. It is just after the Franklin Canyon golf course and just before the train track overpass; and the last half mile is a narrow and sketchy passage that can barely be classified as 'paved'. Dan's Hiking Spot Checklist: -- Parking: small gravel lot, in good shape -- Bathrooms: pit toilet at parking lot -- Potable water: No -- Maps provided: No (but available online) -- Highlights: Lack of crowds; remote feel; nice views read more

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One of my favorite hiking trails! Beautiful trails that are well maintained during the year. I'm always amazed by how underused this space is... You can easily get a 5k done by sticking to the large loop. Great for hill work as well! Recently I've noticed that they are working on adding a cover over the picnic tables which will make it more comfortable during the summer months for picnic outings. Great for some communing with nature time... read more

Fernandez Ranch - Engagement Shoot at Fernandez Ranch - Hiking Near Me - Martinez, California

Did the full 3.5 mile loop today with my son. It was actually a little longer by the time we finished. I really enjoyed it. It was very peaceful. In fact we only saw one other pair of hikers and 2 people on horseback. That's it. Nice views of Franklin canyon, and lots of wildlife. The elevation changes are not severe, and very gradual. We hit 2 600 ft. peaks. That's it. Should not be a problem for most. As another poster pointed out, it will be hot as hell out here over the summer. Keep that in mind. Here in the end of January, it was fantastic. My only complaint is there are some parts of the trail that are so pitted with horse hoof tracks that's its almost impossible to not turn your ankle as you go through. Still, it's a multi-use trail and that's to be expected. Some nice geocaches out here too, for those into the sport. This will be a regular hike for my crew from now on. I had a good time. read more

No joke...hiked there on Tuesday this week and picked several ticks off us . Bring a change of clothes for after, bag your hiking clothes and boots, have someone check your hair and skin, wear long pants, long socks. A beautiful hike but be diligent in looking after. read more

First time to the trail...lovely hike BUT HEAD THE WARNING ABOUT BREAK INS POST ON THE SIGN.... Decided to leave my purse in the glove box... There was one other vehicle at the lot when we pulled in Thurs afternoon 9/8/2016 a large green/blue truck. One guy, cap on, full color tattoo sleeve an left arm, seemed like he was on a cell phone sat in his truck. Felt safe at the time but when we got back, passage window smashed in, purse gone, a real drag. Never happened to me before anywhere I've been (lived in Mexico) so clearly I was being too carefree to think some little trail in the back of beyond was safe. read more

Amazing, beautiful, remote but close. A treat for 4 footed friends and me! read more

Fernandez Ranch - Hiking Near Me - Martinez, California

Magical Easter hike! People need to discover this place and use what has been so generously offered to the public. We went there on Easter afternoon, took the trail to the left of the parking lot which runs along a meadow, shielded from the cows by a fence, and then turned up the hill on the Whipsnake Trail. On the slope to our left was a fantastic display of delicate wildflowers--buttercups, tiny white flowers like snowflakes, fuchsia and purple flowers, blue dicks and blue-eyed grass, all like jewels in the sun. Then, as we started to enter the woods, on the banks purple and pale gray Chinese houses! What a gift. Then there are the enormous, majestic oaks, hundreds of years old, the rolling hils covered in green at last, hawks and swallows in the sky and all of it accessible on the best planned and engineered trails we have used. But there were only a couple of cars in the lot on the best day of the year to be enjoying our Bay Area wildlife. Perhaps people are not finding this park because it IS very difficult to locate--Caltrans refused to let them put up a sign on Highway 4 to mark the exit! So, here are the directions: If you are coming from the east on 4, you take the Franklin Canyon exit, turn left under the freeway and continue west on 4, past the golf course. Just before the train trestle, take the small road to the right--Chrisitie. It winds briefly and steeply past a large ranch, and then you will see the well planned parking lot, with clean rest room, and bridge over a ravine, leading to several wonderful hikes. read more

One of the best underused and undiscovered there is for talking a mild hike. Our dog loves it. No telling what wildlife you will see from birds to coyotes. Don't tell anyone. ONE CAVEAT: BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR DOG FOR TICKS WHEN YOU GET BACK TO THE CAR. Even using Frontline/Advantage, there has always seemed to be one of these pesky critters trying to breach the defense line. I also spray my cuffs before leaving just in case. read more