Because 27 wasn't enough and 47 was too many
I’d been to San Pedro Valley Park before, and wanted to return because it’s just so dang convenient from the city. I had planned to do a different trail, but when I arrived I picked up a trail map and found this one written up. It mentioned a waterfall, which was all the motivation I […]
Read More San Pedro Valley Park: Brooks Falls and Montara Mountain TrailsMonte Bello has been on my radar all year. It’s part of the Santa Cruz Mountains — currently my favorite part of the region for hiking. Why my favorite? The Santa Cruz Mountains are generally less crowded than Marin, many trails are less exposed than the East Bay (perfect for summer hikes), and the drive […]
Read More Monte Bello Open Space PreserveThe first time I went to this preserve, I was tagging along with my friend who is part of a hiking meet up. Their schtick is doing 10+ mile hikes at a pace of at least 3 miles an hour. They take their day-hiking so seriously, prospective members must “try out” in order to join. […]
Read More El Corte de Madera OSP: Tafoni and Fir Trail LoopThis hike is a Bay Area classic. It’s one of the few I knew I had to do as part of this little goal of mine; I just love it. It’s hard enough that it feels like you’ve really earned that beer at the end (and isn’t that a reasonable way to measure a hike?!). […]
Read More Mt. Tamalpais State Park: Matt Davis-Steep RavineBet you haven’t heard of Black Diamond Mines Regional Park. And if you have, then we should definitely be hiking together more often. The park is near Antoich, a city nestled so far to the east, that the BART doesn’t even make it there. (The horror!) There are three things to like about Black Diamond […]
Read More Black Diamond Mines Regional Park: Stewartville and Ridge TrailsChina Camp’s name comes from a shrimping village established in the 1880s. While that’s generations ago, the last remaining villager passed away just last year. This history, plus its sweeping views of San Pablo Bay, make for a nice afternoon; however, China Camp isn’t going to make my top 10 list. Let my trip there […]
Read More China Camp State ParkThis trail is a great option if, oh say, your Zipcar bill has been reaching impressive all-time highs, and you want to keep your rental hours to a minimum. It’s close to the city and pretty short – so you can stretch your legs and still be home in time for lunch! Or in my […]
Read More Sweeney Ridge via Skyline CollegeEven if it means making a special trip to the Pacific Northwest, do this hike once in your life. The views. The history. You will thank me (and my mom, who is the mastermind behind this one). I’ll stop writing now and just let the photos do the talking. The Scoop Location: Whidbey Island, a […]
Read More Ebey’s LandingMy friends picked this loop trail at Las Trampas, a park just south of Danville that none of us had been to before. It was a brave choice given how hot it gets on the other side of the Oakland Hills, but to be fair I was the lunatic who requested an East Bay hike […]
Read More Las Trampas Regional WildernessCraving a long, solo hike, I set my sights on Tomales Point, the northernmost section of Point Reyes with its promises of elk and amazing views. As I drove deeper and deeper into the park, though, the fog got thicker and thicker. Dejected, I pulled over to come up with a plan b, which turned […]
Read More Point Reyes National Seashore: Estero Trail to Sunset Beach
37 Hikes 