A pretty awesome workout at this trail. We did about six miles in a little bit over two hours…read more(1300 elevation). There were mixed shades and sun. There were some rocky paths here and there. Overall it's a moderate and enjoyable hike with some great views along the way.

I am smitten. Been hiking all up, down, and around Tilden Park lately, and I have to admit that…read morethis is definitely one of Tilden's most gorgeous trails! Probably like top 3 in my book. It's also one of the most crowded hiking trails, but it makes sense. That still shouldn't stop you from visiting (even during the pandemic). I've hiked this trail from the entrance of Inspiration point and from the entrance of the Steam Trains, and both ways are absolutely stunning. But, I would definitely recommend the entrance from Inspiration Point if it's your first time. You'll get the best views this way. You can do an out and back on this trail or you can turn it into a loop by connect to the Big Springs Trail. I did the loops and it was about 6 miles round trip. The trail itself isn't difficult but it's filled with lots of gradual inclines. The main pathway is wide and paved. Many families with strollers use this trail. The Sea View Trail meanders through tall Redwood groves and lush meadows. It's also filled with so many amazingly colorful wildflowers! Probably the most that I've seen on a trail that wasn't centered around flowers. Lots of wildlife is present. The surrounding views of the Briones and San Pablo Reservoir are truly breathtaking! Couple that with the stunning views of San Francisco and its' iconic landmarks, and you'll be in for a real treat. This trail exposes the true beauty of the Bay Area. What I love about this trail is that it stays lush and green all year around. But you just can't beat the bright blue skies and charming spring and summer sunsets. This trail is also very dog friendly for those with furry friends. It's so easy to connect to several other trails within Tilden Park from Sea View, but you may not want to venture off from this trail at first because it's just that beautiful.

We just went last month again and went different direction---we all LOVED it! Great parking lot…read more Water views, horses, birds, ground critters, trails thru meadows, woods, by river, by reservoir, by creek, behind peaceful subdivision w beautiful backyard gardens, tons of dragonflies when we went this time! Love seeing these pics of my kiddo growing up on the same trailhead.

The Upper San Leandro Reservoir was created in 1926 by impounding the San Leandro Creek. The dam…read moreget most of its water from the Mokelumne Aqueduct that brings water from the Sierra Nevada's. The original earthen dam was deemed seismically unsound and a new dam was build just past it in 1977. The water is distributed to local communities by the East Bay Municipal Utility District. There is an extensive public trail system that surrounds the lake, but no fishing or boating is allowed.

Amazing Park on the edge of the Oakland / Berkeley hills. I guess you could call this an urban…read morepark, although after a short walk on the trail, you feel like your deep in the forest. This is another one of the hidden gems in the San Francisco Bay region. Probably not worth a special drive for a hike here, because it's relatively short. But I recommend a little exploratory walk from the Claremont.

I know some people say that people here are soft because they complain about the elevation. It is…read moreno joke! A friend and I met up for a walk and we decided to meet at Garber Park. Based on the reviews here, we designated a meeting spot (Evergreen Lane) which is crucial since there are multiple entrances to the "park". Also, it's not much of a "park" - it's a few different fairly vertical trails. That would be okay if that's what we were looking for....but we were looking more for a casual amble. It's also tough to chat because the trials are narrow and you typically have to walk single file. That being said, it's a nice, vigorous hike that's fairly accessible and easy to get to.

One of my favorites single track trails! A decent climb if you're heading west. Great for dogs!read more

GOLDEN SPIKE TRAIL. Before taking this hike, I sometimes park in the lot adjacent to the Trudeau…read moreCenter. Trail maps and an official trailhead to Dunn Trail are found at the east edge of this parking log. The route along Dunn Trail brings you through a prairie that contains dozens of serpentine boulders and, at the far eastern side of this prairie is the trailhead to Golden Spike Trail. If the lot is full, you can park on Skyline by the curb near Trudeau Center. MY PHOTOGRAPHS. One of my pictures was taken in serpentine prairie at the start of my hike. The others were taken at various locations along Golden Spike Trail: (1) Tree with many wiggly moss-coated branches. (2) Octopus tree (meaning a tree with many branches that form arches that bend to the right and bend to the left). (3) Another octopus tree. (4) Close-up view of graffiti girl. (5) Mountain goat standing on stone monument to boys who built Golden Spike Trail. (6) Mountain goat standing on top of boulder in serpentine prairie. I bought the mountain goat from gift shop at Glacier National Park. This was my first photo of the day. HISTORIC MARKER ON GOLDEN SPIKE TRAIL. Once you pass the horse stables, you will encounter on Golden Spike Trail a historic marker with a metal plaque that describes the boys who built this trail. Further along, on this lengthy and fairly level stretch of hiking, you will encounter a branch in the trail, which takes the form of TOYON TRAIL (Toyon takes you up uphill to West Ridge Trail). Continuing along Golden Spike Trail, the trees thin out and scraggly little brushes dominate the groundcover, and you will encounter yet another branch in the trail. This branch takes the form of a tiny trail that is only 20 feet long, and it connects directly with WEST RIDGE TRAIL. I took this tiny connecting trail, and then made the return hike all the way up the steep West Ridge Trail, then down Graham Trail, and then along the level Dunn Trail back to the parking lot at Trudeau Center. BOOK BY AMELIA SUE MARSHALL. Amelia Sue Marshall is the author of EAST BAY HILLS. This book describes the origin of many of the trails in Redwood Regional Park, including Golden Spike Trail. We learn that a big storm in 1962 caused flooding and massive piles of mud. We learn that, "park managers decided to build a new trail, parallel to . . . Redwood Road . . . inmate crews from Alameda Country juvenile hall provided labor . . . a monument with a brass plaque stands at the spot where two crews of boys met in 1965" to build Golden Spike Trail. SERPENTINE. As stated above, the western terminus of Golden Spike Trail is located in a prairie that contains serpentine boulders. Serpentine has the chemical formula 3 magnesium atoms, 2 silicon atoms, 5 oxygen atoms, and 4 hydroxy groups. Serpentine is the name of a group of minerals, including chrysotile (a type of asbestos), antigorite (the most common type of serpentine), and lizardite (has scaly surface) Serpentine is colored green and it has a slippery feel. Oakland hills contain a series of rocky outcroppings called, ophiolite. The ophilite rocks are made of either serpentine, rhyolite, or gabbro. See, pages 314-316 of Doris Sloan and Donald Wells (2006) The Hayward Fault. Geological Society of America Field Guide 7. See also, oaklandgeology dot com, for its description of the serpentine in the Oakland hills. See also, page 38 of, National Geographic Pocket Guide Rocks & Minerals by S.Garlick. See also, page 3 of Guide to Mount Diablo Geology (by Mount Diablo Interpretive Association).

Beautiful trail that follows the shoreline of Bay Farm Island…read more Fabulous views of San Francisco. Normally great weather if it's hot inland. I believe it's about six miles if you do the complete trail. We normally park in Veterans Ct, just across the Bay Farm Island bridge.

parked at the ferry parking lot which is free…read more it was nice to ride bike along the water but the trail itself is bumpy not smooth. rode all the way to jack london square and the path to get there was not quiety as often you are riding on the should along with traffic. overall i think there are some better bike trail options that are easier to ride and smoother.

Somehow like Connie, the first Yelped for this location, we started at Clark Kerr Fire Trail and I…read moreguess the trail merge with Stonewall trail. There no real address, we parked on the street, next to the Golden Bears Youth Gym: 25 Sports Lane Berkeley, CA 94720 United States We parked cross street Dwight Way and Sport Lane like what Connie said Overall, lots of steps, lots of incline pet friendly, steps are stable wide and safe It was fun, will be going back again

We parked at the end of Dwight Way, next to Clark Kerr Track.  Walked up many steps then down and…read morebended right to an open area, to take in the views at Berkeley Overlook Vista Point.  Then looped back via Stonewall Panoramic Trail.  This hike was short, steep and filled with great views.

This Trail is part of the Briones East Bay Park. You can start this Trail at the Reliez Valley…read moretrailhead. At the beginning it's sort of a narrow mildly steep route. There is lots of parking at the trailhead.

After parking at the Reliez Valley Staging Area, begin your hike up the Blue Oak Trail. The single…read moretrack to the right of the fire road offers bypassing the steepest fire road sections, but you need to watch out for its cow pies. After a mile, Blue Oak Shortcut appears ahead. It's a steep, single track, uphill push, next to a creek which in a dry December, only showed water near the top of the trail. Well shaded. Crosses the creek at culveted places twice before meeting up with Spengler Trail at the top of its .29 length. Pretty!

Warning: Google Maps and AllTrails will lead you astray! The best starting point is Montclair…read moreParking Garage - 6235 La Salle Ave, Oakland. However! Maybe drive to this area and then drive around nearby to find residential parking instead IF you don't want to pay for parking. OR I have a 1-time free parking promo code for ya haha. Paying for parking at this parking garage is a tad annoying because you have to download an app (ParkMobile), register an account, select the right parking zone (6501), provide your license plate number, and pay... it was a lot slower than grabbing a ticket and proceeding to park. The good news is that at the time I went, the parking attendant gave me a promo code: FreeMV. Since this promo code gives you a whole day of free parking, I may recommend doing the trail and then walking around to enjoy Montclair Village! Haha take your sweet time and enjoy that free parking! There are many cute shops, grocery stores, coffee, and restaurants in the village. When you exit the garage by foot, turn left and you'll see a sign for Montclair Railroad Trail. This is definitely the "start" of the trail because the trail markers increase from 1/4 mile .. to 1 mile at the end of the trail, and then 2 miles total when you return (it is an out and back trail). It is a pretty easy walking path. There will be a few others but lots of space to keep distanced. The history of the spot is cool - it used to be railroad tracks (lol yuppp hence the name!). There is a sign speaking to this history along the trail. Get some fresh air, check out a new trail, enjoy the village, and take advantage of free parking!

Very nice walk , good for people with walkers. Fairly flat and level. Lots of dogs on and off leash…read more, although leashes are required.