Bay Area Hiker
All current walks and hikes sorted by difficulty, including distance, county, and prominent features. Difficulty is determined by a number of factors, including distance, trail surface, and elevation gain/loss. Hikes may be on a mixture of pavement and dirt, while walks take place wholly on paved surfaces. A particular one mile hike may be more difficult than another 1.6 mile hike; in many cases difficulty levels between preceding and following hikes may be negligible. Please read the detailed descriptions of the individual hikes before attempting them, particularly if you are a beginning hiker. This walks and hikes are ranked in descending order, with the easiest walks and hikes at the top of each section and the hardest ones at the bottom.
Hikes marked with indicate Bay Area Hiker favorites.

Under 1 mile to 2 mile walks:
• Miller Knox Regional Shoreline (Contra Costa: 1 mile paved loop around a semi-manicured park on the edge of Point Richmond and the bay. Total elevation change: imperceptible.)
• Pillar Point (San Mateo: 1.2 mile out and back from the outskirts of Princeton harbor to the beach. Total elevation change: imperceptible.)
• Heron's Head Park (San Francisco: 1 mile out and back on San Francisco Bay, with excellent bird watching. Total elevation change: 65 feet.) • Bothin Marsh Open Space Preserve (Marin: 1.6 mile out and back on a paved multi-use trail right off 101. Total elevation change: imperceptible.)
• Cesar Chavez/North Waterfront Park (Alameda: 1.4 mile loop along the bay. Total elevation change: 35 feet.)

Two to five mile walks:
• Crissy Field (San Francisco: 3.3 mile out and back through the Presidio, with a turn around at Fort Point, under the Golden Gate Bridge. Nice views of the bridge, bay, and Marin Headlands. Total elevation change: imperceptible.)
• Crown Memorial State Beach (Alameda: 3.1 mile out and back on paved sidewalks and the beach. Total elevation change: 70 feet.)
• Contra Costa Canal Trail (Contra Costa: 4.7 mile out and back on a paved trail running along the Conta Costa Canal, bordering residential neighborhoods. Total elevation change: 14 feet.)
• Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline (1.7 mile out and back along Oakland wetlands. Total elevation change: 140 feet.)
• Los Alamitos Creek Trail (Santa Clara: 3.9 mile out and back walk on a paved trail. Total elevation change is about 150 feet.)

Five to ten mile walks:
• Sawyer Camp Trail (San Mateo: 7 mile out and back walk on paved path along Crystal Springs Reservoir. One of the most popular recreation trails in the Bay Area. Total elevation change is about 90 feet.)

Under 1 mile hikes:
• Santa Margarita Open Space Preserve (Marin: 1/4 mile flat loop hike on a tiny oak-dotted island. Total elevation change is about 20 feet.)
• Horseshoe Pond, Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve  (San Mateo: 0.2 mile easy out and back hike to Horseshoe Pond. Total elevation change: imperceptible.)
• All-access loop , San Bruno Mountain County and State Park (San Mateo: 0.6 mile all access loop hike through coastal scrub. Total elevation change: imperceptible.)
• Alpine Pond Loop, Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve  (San Mateo: 1/2 mile easy loop around Alpine Pond. Total elevation change is about 10 feet.)
• All access Redwood Trail, Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve (San Mateo: 0.7 mile out and back hike is an all access trail through redwoods and huckleberry. Total elevation change is about 20 feet.)
• Lobos Creek Trail (San Francisco: 0.6 mile nearly level loop hike on a Presidio interpretive trail. Good choice for plant enthusiasts. Total elevation change is about 50 feet.)
• Bayfront Park (San Mateo: 0.7 mile loop hike at a small park on the bay. Total elevation change is about 50 feet.)
• Maxwell Farms Regional Park (Sonoma: 0.7 mile loop hike through old orchards in the town of Sonoma. Total elevation change about 50 feet.)
• Bog Loop, San Bruno Mountain County and State Park (San Mateo: 0.7 mile easy loop hike great for kids and beginners. Total elevation change is about 50 feet.)
• Chickadee Loop, Huddart County Park (San Mateo: 3/4 mile loop hike on an all-access trail. Total elevation change is about 50 feet.)
• Mount Davidson (San Francisco: 0.4 mile loop hike to the city's tallest hill. Exceptional views, seemingly only know to locals. Total elevation change is about 100 feet.)
• Roy's Redwoods Open Space Preserve (Marin: 0.7 mile loop hike through ancient redwoods off Sir Francis Drake. Total elevation change is about 90 feet.)
• Tiburon Uplands Nature Preserve (Marin: 0.4 mile loop hike in a heavily wooded preserve. Total elevation change is about 240 feet.)
• Glen Canyon (San Francisco: 0.9 mile loop hike through a hidden city canyon. Total elevation is about 120 feet.)
• Twin Peaks (San Francisco: 0.6 mile out and back urban hike to one of the city's best view points. Total elevation change about 200 feet.)
• Diablo Summit, Mount Diablo State Park (Contra Costa: 0.7 mile loop hike around the summit of Mount Diablo, with excellent views the entire way. Total elevation change is about 190 feet.)

One to two mile hikes:
• Santa Venetia Marsh Open Space Preserve (Marin: 1.2 mile flat loop through a marsh. Total elevation change: imperceptible.)
• Napa River Ecological Reserve (Napa: 1 mile loop in a tiny preserve around the Napa River. Like a jungle in summer. Total elevation change: imperceptible.)
• Kehoe Beach (Marin: 1.2 mile out and back to Point Reyes beach. Total elevation change is about 20 feet).
• Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve (San Mateo: 1.4 mile out and back through Pescadero Marsh. Total elevation change is about 30 feet.)
• Cowell Ranch Beach (San Mateo: 1.2 mile out and back across a bluff to an ocean viewpoint. Total elevation change is about 80 feet.)
• Bald Mountain, Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve (Santa Clara: 1.4 mile out and back to an overlook with great views of the Sierra Azul, Mount Umunhum, and the southern Santa Clara valley. Total elevation change is about 75 feet.)
• Fitzgerald Marine Reserve (San Mateo: 1.2 mile loop is an easy excursion along a bluff, then dropping to a beach with very good tidepooling. Total elevation change is about 100 feet.)
Crane Creek Regional Park (Sonoma: 1.1 mile loop through a very scenic small park featuring a creek and lots of old oaks. Total elevation change is about 60 feet.)
• Old St. Hilary's Open Space Preserve (Marin: 1 mile loop on a grassy ridge with million dollar views of the bay and San Francisco. Total elevation change is about 75 feet.)
• Fort Baker (Marin: 1.1 mile loop hike/walk through hills above Fort Baker and streets, with great views of the bay. Total elevation change about 170 feet.)
• Pinnacle Gulch Coastal Access (Sonoma: 1 mile out and back hike through coastal scrub to beach. Total elevation change is about 200 feet).
• Deer Island Open Space Preserve (Marin: 1.8 mile loop round the base of a hill. Good hawk watching. Total elevation change is 140 feet.)
• Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline (west) (Contra Costa: 1.5 mile partial loop on hills above Carquinez Strait. Total elevation change is about 210 feet.)
• Ragle Ranch Regional Park (Sonoma: 1.9 mile loop in a small preserve bordering Sebastopol apple orchards. Total elevation change is about 120 feet.)
• Waterbird Regional Preserve (Contra Costa: 1.5 mile loop through grassland above a marsh, unfortunately across the highway from a refinery. Total elevation change is about 230 feet.)
• McLaren Park (San Francisco: 1.6 mile loop through one of the city's largest open spaces. Not particularly scenic, but good for exercise. Total elevation change is about 250 feet.)
• Inspiration Point (San Francisco: 1.8 mile walk/hike on Presidio trails and sidewalks. Total elevation change about 300 feet.)
• Maurice Thorner Memorial Open Space Preserve (Marin: 2 mile out and back in a small preserve with grassland and rolling hills. Total elevation change is about 464 feet.)
• Cascade Canyon Open Space Preserve (Marin: 1.2 mile out and back to a waterfall in the backyard of Fairfax. Total elevation change is about 150 feet.)
• Mills Canyon Nature Area (San Mateo: 1 mile loop squeezes between housing developments in Burlingame. Total elevation change is about 200 feet.)
• Thornewood Open Space Preserve (San Mateo: 1.2 mile out and back through old grounds of an estate. Total elevation change is about 200 feet.)
• Milagra Ridge (San Mateo: 1.5 mile loop through coastal scrub on a nearly level ridge. Total elevation change is about 200 feet.)
• Waterdog Lake Park (San Mateo: 1.5 mile out and back through Belmont canyon. Total elevation change is about 200 feet.)
• Sonoma Valley Regional Park (Sonoma: 1.6 mile loop in oak foothills near Lake Suttonfield. Total elevation change is about 230 feet.)
• Sausal Pond Loop, Windy Hill Open Space Preserve (San Mateo: 1.4 mile loop around Sausal Pond. Total elevation change is about 290 feet. A good choice for beginners.)
• Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline (Contra Costa: 1.4 mile loop on hills above Point Richmond. Total elevation change is about 530 feet.)
• East Peak (Marin: 1.2 mile loop hike at the top of Mount Tamalpais, with some steep sections of trail. Total elevation change is about 250 feet.)
Chimney Rock (Marin: 2 mile partial loop on a Point Reyes bluff overlooking the ocean. Spectacular wildflowers in spring, and good seal, sea lion, and whale watching as well. Total elevation change is about 250 feet.)
• Wilbur's Watch (San Mateo: An easy and short 2 mile out and back hike with incredible views near Pigeon Point. Total elevation change is about 260 feet.)
• Westwood Hills Wilderness Park (Napa: 1.2 mile loop through a mostly wooded park just outside the town of Napa. Total elevation change is about 300 feet.)
• Quarry Park (San Mateo: 1.2 mile out and back through old quarry grounds in El Granada. The park has a frightening amount of invasive plants, mostly notably eucalyptus. Total elevation change is about 400 feet.)
• Stafford Lake County Park (Marin: 1.7 mile loop through mostly wooded low hills close to Novato. Total elevation change is about 350 feet.)
• Lime Ridge Open Space (Contra Costa: 1.8 mile loop over rolling grassland in Walnut Creek. Total elevation change is about 475 feet.)
• Sobrante Ridge Regional Preserve (Contra Costa: 2.6 mile balloon across grassy hillsides to a manzanita-studded knoll. Hosts a Bay Area Ridge Trail segment. Total elevation change is about 615 feet.)
• Terra Linda/Sleepy Hollow Divide Open Space Preserve (south section) (Marin: 2.2 mile loop on the outskirts of San Anselmo. Total elevation change is about 645 feet.)
• Larry Lane Trail (San Mateo: 1.7 mile balloon on edge of residential neighborhood, includes loop through quiet woods. Total elevation change is about 600 feet.)
Huckleberry Botanic Preserve (Contra Costa: 1.8 mile loop through woods and manzanita barrens, with lots of interesting vegetation. Hosts a Bay Area Ridge Trail segment. Total elevation change is about 800 feet.)
Ring Mountain Open Space Preserve (Marin: 2 mile loop through rocky grassland fronting San Pablo Bay in Corte Madera. Total elevation change is about 500 feet.)

Two to five mile hikes:
• Ravenswood Open Space Preserve (San Mateo: 2.7 mile out and back through marshlands, on the edge of East Palo Alto. Total elevation change: imperceptible.)
• Bair Island (San Mateo: 3 mile loop on the bay, very close to U.S. 101. Total elevation change: imperceptible.)
• Point Isabel Regional Shoreline (Contra Costa: 3.3 mile partial loop on paved trails in an area very popular with dog walkers. Total elevation change: 100 feet.)
• Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline (Alameda: 2.2 mile loop at a former dump site right along the bay, just south of the Oakland airport. Total elevation change is about 140 feet.)
• Sycamore Grove Park (Alameda: 3.2 mile level loop through grassland. Total elevation change: imperceptible)
• Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area (Alameda: 3.4 mile level loop around man-made ponds in Fremont's residential outskirts. Total elevation change: 80 feet.)
• Half Moon Bay State Beach (San Mateo: 2.8 mile loop along bluffs and beach. Total elevation change is about 30 feet.)
• Rush Ranch (Solano: 2 mile loop circles through pastures near Grizzly Island. Total elevation change about 118 feet.)
Abbotts Lagoon (Marin: 2.3 mile out and back along a lagoon, leading to a sandy beach. Total elevation change about 50 feet.)
• Pulgas Water Temple/Crystal Springs Trail (San Mateo: 2.2 mile out and back along Cañada Road, to the Pulgas Water Temple. Total elevation change is about 100 feet.)
• Burleigh Murray State Park  (San Mateo: 2.1 mile out and back at an old ranch. Total elevation change is about 130 feet.)
• Grizzly Island Wildlife Area (Solano: 3 mile loop over levee trails, in an area with extensive wildlife viewing. Trails can be overgrown. Total elevation change: 120 feet.)
• Hayward Regional Shoreline (Alameda: 3.6 mile partial loop through marshes and shoreline outside of Hayward. Good bird watching. Total elevation change: 130 feet.)
• Las Gallinas Wildlife Ponds (Marin: 4.6 mile out and back flat past water treatment ponds teeming with birds. Total elevation change: imperceptible.)
• Shoreline at Mountain View (Santa Clara: 4.9 mile loop on trails fronting San Francisco Bay. Total elevation change: imperceptible.)
• Rush Creek Open Space Preserve (Marin: 3.8 mile nearly-level semi-loop along the edge of a Novato marsh. Total elevation change about 100 feet.)
• Saddle Loop, San Bruno Mountain County and State Park (San Mateo: 2.9 mile loop is one of the most popular routes in the park; great for easy exercise but a bit dull. Total elevation change is about 120 feet.)
• Junipero Serra County Park (San Mateo: 2.1 mile loop at a small park a short distance off US 280. Total elevation change is about 300 feet.)
• Point Pinole Regional Shoreline (Contra Costa: 3.7 mile loop on bluffs overlooking San Pablo Bay. Total elevation change about 280 feet.)
• Baltimore Canyon Open Space Preserve (Marin: 2.2 mile out and back from a residential Larkspur neighborhood to Dawn Falls. Total elevation change about 300 feet.)
• Valley View Loop, San Pedro Valley Park (San Mateo: 2 mile loop is the easiest in the park. Look for deer and bobcats. Total elevation change is about 400 feet.)
• Villa Montalvo County Park (Santa Clara: 2 mile loop through forested grounds of an old villa, now an arts center. Total elevation change is about 500 feet.)
• Devil's Gulch (Marin: 4 mile out and back past the old pear orchard at Samuel P. Taylor State Park. Total elevation change about 150 feet.)
Año Nuevo State Reserve (San Mateo: 4.1 mile loop to an elephant seal overlook, along the coast. Total elevation change is about 150 feet.)
• Alston Park (Napa: 2.7 mile loop through old orchards and grassy hillsides outside of Napa. Total elevation change about 200 feet.)
• Mori Point (San Mateo: 3 mile partial loop at a new GGNRA parcel, overlooking the ocean in Pacifica. Total elevation change is about 260 feet.)
• Sonoma Coast State Beach - Kortum Trail (Sonoma: 3.3 mile out and back on a bluff above the ocean. Total elevation change about 280 feet.)
• Bodega Head (Sonoma: 3 mile partial loop on coastal bluffs near Bodega Bay. Total elevation change about 300 feet.)
• Foothill Regional Park (Sonoma: 2.2 mile loop around small lakes and oak woodlands near Windsor. Total elevation change is about 500 feet.)
• Alto Bowl Open Space Preserve (Marin: 2.2 mile out and back through preserves bordering residential neighborhoods. Total elevation change about 250 feet.)
• Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve (Santa Clara: 2.9 mile loop through old orchards and woods. Total elevation change is about 350 feet.)
• Marshall Beach (Marin: 2.9 mile out and back to Point Reyes's Marshall Beach. Total elevation change about 360 feet.)
• Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve (San Mateo: 2.2 mile loop at old tuberculosis sanitarium grounds. Total elevation change is about 400 feet.)
• Stile Ranch Trail (Santa Clara: 2.6 mile loop through IBM easement and Santa Teresa County Park. Exceptional native flowers blooming throughout rocky grassland. Total elevation change is about 400 feet.)
• Tolay Lake Regional Park (Sonoma: 3 mile balloon through old ranch lands. Total elevation change is about 400 feet.)
• Bald Knob, Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve (San Mateo: 3.6 mile out and back in a quiet part of a preserve dominated by woodsy canyons. Total elevation change is about 400 feet.)
• White Hill Open Space Preserve (Marin: 2.3 mile out and back near Sir Francis Drake. Total elevation change about 470 feet.)
• Leona Canyon Regional Open Space Preserve (Alameda: 2.8 mile out and back on trails squeezed between steep canyons and housing developments. Total elevation change is about 555 feet.)
• Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve (Contra Costa: 2.6 mile loop includes a self-guided tour through ancient volcanic features. Hosts a Bay Area Ridge Trail segment. Total elevation change is about 770 feet.)  
• Helen Putnam Regional Park (Sonoma: 2.8 mile loop across grassy hills and oak woods, outside of Petaluma. Hosts a Bay Area Ridge Trail segment. Total elevation change about 400 feet.)
• Bishop Ranch Regional Preserve (Contra Costa: 2.3 mile loop winding through mostly oak grassland, at the edge of San Ramon. Total elevation change is about 780 feet.)
Tomales Bay State Park (Marin: 2.6 mile loop through woods along Tomales Bay, on the Point Reyes peninsula. Total elevation change is about 600 feet.)
• Little Mountain and Verissimo Hills Open Space Preserves (Marin: 5.1 mile partial loop on the fringes of a residential Novato neighborhood. Hosts a Bay Area Ridge Trail segment. Total elevation change about 500 feet.)
• Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve (Sonoma: 3 mile loop through hills and redwood forest. Very good alternative to Muir Woods in summer. Total elevation change is about 300 feet.)
• Ignacio Valley Open Space Preserve (Marin: 2.1 mile out and back on fire road above the College of Marin Indian Valley campus. Some sections of trail are incredibly steep. Total elevation change is about 600 feet.)
• Arastradero Preserve  (Santa Clara: 3.7 mile loop at a grassland and oak preserve. Total elevation change is about 400 feet.)
• La Honda Open Space Preserve (San Mateo: 2.9 mile loop is accessible through advance permit only. Look for a giant redwood, then drop through grassland to a lonely viewpoint looking west to the ocean. Total elevation change is about 400 feet.)
Coal Mine Ridge (San Mateo: 3.1 mile easy loop is a nearly level trip through woods and oak grassland. Total elevation change is about 500 feet.)
• Tafoni Loop, El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve (San Mateo: 3.3 mile loop to a big sandstone formation nestled among madrones and tanoaks. Total elevation change is about 400 feet.)
Brooks Falls Loop, San Pedro Valley Park (San Mateo: 2 mile loop through eucalyptus and coastal scrub, to a waterfall overlook. Fantastic displays of blooming manzanitas start at Christmastime and linger through January. Total elevation change is about 600 feet.)
• Mount Wanda (Contra Costa: 2.6 mile partial loop through grassy hills and oak adjacent to John Muir's home in Martinez. Total elevation change about 760 feet.)
• China Camp State Park (Marin: 3.4 mile loop through oak woods along San Pablo Bay. Total elevation change is about 400 feet.)
Rockville Hills Regional Park (Solano: 3.8 mile loop wanders oak grassland at a preserve outside of Fairfield. Good wildflowers in spring. Hosts a Bay Area Ridge Trail segment. Total elevation change is about 400 feet.)
• Phleger Estate (San Mateo: 4.6 mile out and back through redwoods at a preserve extremely well-used by equestrians. Total elevation change is about 400 feet.)
• Soquel Demonstration State Forest (Santa Cruz: 4.7 mile out and back in a preserve wildly popular with mountain bikers. Total elevation change is about 450 feet.)
• Camino Alto Open Space Preserve (Marin: 2.7 mile partial loop through open space bordering Mill Valley neighborhood, includes a short distance on steep paved streets. Total elevation change is about 500 feet.)
• Pacheco Valle Open Space Preserve (Marin: 2.7 mile loop on sidewalks and fire roads near Marinwood. Total elevation change about 550 feet.)
• Curry Point to Balancing Rock, Mount Diablo State Park (Contra Costa: 4 mile out and back through grassland and chaparral, to the curious Balancing Rock. Excellent wildflowers in spring. Total elevation change is about 850 feet.)
Deer Park (Marin: 3.4 mile loop near Fairfax, passing through woods and grassland. Total elevation change is about 500 feet.)
• Joaquin Miller Park (Alameda: 3 mile loop through redwoods, in Oakland! Total elevation change is about 940 feet.)
• King Mountain Open Space Preserve (Marin: 3.3 mile partial loop around King Mountain, above a Larkspur neighborhood. Total elevation change about 500 feet.)
• Sky Oaks (Marin: 3.5 mile loop through the low foothills of Mount Tamalpais. Total elevation change about 500 feet.)
• Indian Valley Open Space Preserve (Marin: 2.8 mile loop traversing oak woods above the College of Marin Indian Valley campus. Total elevation change is about 600 feet.)
Los Trancos Open Space Preserve (Santa Clara: 3 mile follows an interpretive guide to earthquakes and the San Andreas Fault. Hike passes through pretty, quiet woods. Total elevation change is about 580 feet.)
• Nimitz Way (Contra Costa: 4 mile out and back hike along a ridge in Tilden Park. Paved and easy, although there is 570 feet in elevation change.) • Fremont Older Open Space Preserve (Santa Clara: 2.7 mile loop through grassland and old orchards around a historical estate. Total elevation change is about 600 feet.)
• Hiddenbrooke Trail (Solano: 4.4 mile out and back on hills above Hiddenbrooke development. A Bay Area Ridge Trail segment. Total elevation change is about 1320 feet.)
• Big Canyon and Eaton parks (San Mateo: 3.4 mile out and back through surprisingly pretty woods bordering residential neighborhoods. Total elevation change is about 500 feet.)
• Santa Teresa County Park (Santa Clara: 3.8 mile loop through rocky grassland, where wildflower displays impress in spring. Hosts a Bay Area Ridge Trail segment. Total elevation change is about 550 feet.)
• Portola Redwoods State Park (San Mateo: 5 mile loop through mixed woods, crosses Pescadero Creek several times. Total elevation change is about 500 feet.)
• Coal Creek Open Space Preserve (San Mateo: 3 mile partial loop through grassland and woods on the eastern slope of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Total elevation change is about 700 feet.)
• Vargas Plateau Regional Park. (Alameda County: this 3.8 balloon hike through grassland east of Fremont is easy, with about 680 feet of elevation change.)
Edgewood Park & Preserve (San Mateo: 4.2 mile loop at a cherished preserve with an interesting mix of vegetation and pretty trails. Total elevation change is about 500 feet.)
• Pantoll (Marin: 4.3 mile loop to West Point Inn and back, with fantastic views south. Total elevation change is about 600 feet.)
• Long Ridge Open Space Preserve (San Mateo: 4.7 mile loop is just one more great trek in a cluster of open space preserve in this area. Look for wild turkeys and hope you don't meet up with any wild pigs. Total elevation change is about 500 feet.)
Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve (San Mateo: 3.6 mile loop over grassy hills and through ancient oaks. Exceptional wildflowers in late April. Total elevation change is about 600 feet.)
• Shiloh Ranch Regional Park (Sonoma: 3.7 mile loop through oaks and grassland on the edge of wine country. Total elevation change is about 600 feet.)
Ridge Trail Loop, Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve  (San Mateo: 3 mile loop near the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains has it all, two cute ponds, grassland, woods, and chaparral, and excellent views west to the ocean. A Bay Area Ridge Trail segment. Total elevation change is about 650 feet.)
Phoenix Lake (Marin: 4.4 mile loop in the hills around Phoenix Lake, on the outskirts of Kentfield. Total elevation change is about 600 feet.) 
• Los Vaqueros (Contra Costa: 4.2 mile loop up and down grassy hills. Total elevation change is about 1000 feet.)
• Diablo Foothills Regional Park (Contra Costa: 4.5 mile loop traveling through oak grassland on the low flanks of Mount Diablo. Total elevation change is about 1000 feet.)
• Redwood Regional Park (Alameda and Contra Costa: 4.1 mile loop drops into redwood canyon, then climbs back to the trailhead. Look for wintering colonies of ladybugs along Stream Trail. Hosts a Bay Area Ridge Trail segment. Total elevation change is about 1080 feet.)
• Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area (Contra Costa: 3 mile loop through woods and grassland. Total elevation change is about 930 feet.)
• St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserve (Santa Clara: 3.1 mile partial loop on a hill overlooking Los Gatos and Lexington Reservoir. Total elevation change is about 650 feet.)
• Uvas Canyon County Park (Santa Clara: 3.2 mile loop visits a series of waterfalls in this secluded canyon park. Total elevation change is about 700 feet.)
Summit Loop, San Bruno Mountain County and State Park (San Mateo: 3.5 mile loop to the summit, with loads of native vegetation all along the trails. Total elevation change is about 700 feet.)
• Carson Falls (Marin: 3 mile partial loop on the lower flanks of Pine Mountain, outside of Fairfax. Very pretty waterfall hike for winter, but trails are poorly marked. Total elevation change is about 800 feet.)
Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve (Contra Costa: 3.7 mile loop through grassland and chaparral, at a preserve which was a former coal mine. Total elevation change is about 1145 feet.)
• Fernandez Ranch (Contra Costa: 3.7 mile loop through oaks and grassland east of Hercules. Total elevation change is about 900 feet.)
• Del Valle Regional Park (Alameda: 3.9 mile loop on grassy hills above Lake Del Valle. Total elevation change about 950 feet.)
• Cataract Falls (Marin: 2.6 mile out and back follows Cataract Falls. Total elevation change is about 700 feet.)
• Gary Giacomini Open Space Preserve (Marin: 4.1 mile out and back on a rocky ridge above Woodacre. Total elevation change is about 700 feet.)
Gerbode Valley (Marin: 4.6 mile headlands loop, with spectacular views to San Francisco. Bobcat Trail is a Bay Area Ridge Trail segment. Total elevation change is about 700 feet.)
• Lafayette Reservoir (Contra Costa: 4.7 mile loop on fire roads around reservoir, with some very steep sections. Total elevation change is about 1160 feet.)
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park (Santa Cruz: 4.7 mile loop through redwoods and chaparral. Total elevation change is about 700 feet.)
• Bolinas Lagoon Preserve, Audubon Canyon Ranch (Marin: 2.6 mile loop through the wildlife sanctuary. Fantastic bird watching; only open mid-March to mid-July. Total elevation change is about 800 feet.)
• Butano State Park (San Mateo: 3 mile loop through redwoods. Total elevation change is about 800 feet.)
• North Ridge Trail, Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve (San Mateo: 3.6 mile out and back through woods to an open ridge. Total elevation change is about 900 feet.)
• Hidden Villa (Santa Clara: 3.7 mile loop at a private nonprofit preserve and farm. Total elevation change is about 900 feet.)
• Bothe-Napa Valley State Park (Napa: 4.4 mile loop in a redwood forest just minutes from Napa Valley wineries and tasting rooms. Total elevation change is about 800 feet.)
• Briones Regional Park: Lafayette Ridge Staging Area (Contra Costa: 4.2 mile out and back through the southern part of Briones. Total elevation change is about 1150 feet.)
• Terra Linda/Sleepy Hollow Divide Open Space Preserve (north section) (Marin: 4.4 mile out and back in Novato. Total elevation change about 900 feet.)
• Muir Beach (Marin: 4.3 mile loop through coastal scrub and Green Gulch Farm. Total elevation change is about 900 feet.)
• Round Valley Regional Preserve (Contra Costa: 4.1 mile loop through oak dominated grassland. Good bird watching includes golden eagle sightings. Total elevation change is about 900 feet.)
• Woods Loop, Huddart County Park (San Mateo: 4.5 mile loop through woods a short distance from Woodside. Total elevation change is about 800 feet)
• Memorial County Park (San Mateo: 5 mile loop at this popular camping park, a perfect dayhike for beginners. Total elevation change is about 800 feet.)
• Anthony Chabot Regional Park (Alameda: 6.3 mile loop along the length of a little valley, then climbing up and down a ridge. Hosts a Bay Area Ridge Trail segment. Total elevation change is around 1300 feet.)
• Briones Regional Park: Bear Creek Staging Area (Contra Costa: 4.3 mile loop on fire roads that wander grassy hills north of Lafayette. Total elevation change about 850 feet.)
• Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline (east) (Contra Costa: 3.4 mile loop up and down hills outside of Martinez. Hosts a Bay Area Ridge Trail segment. Total elevation change is about 1210 feet.)
• Rodeo Beach (Marin: 4.3 mile loop on breezy slopes above Rodeo Lagoon, in the Marin Headlands. Total elevation change is about 850 feet.)
• Loma Alta Open Space Preserve (Marin: 4.5 mile partial loop departing from edge of Fairfax neighborhood, climbing to just below the summit of Loma Alta. Hosts a Bay Area Ridge Trail segment. Total elevation change about 900 feet.)
• Sam McDonald County Park (San Mateo: 4.8 mile loop through some of the quietest trails in the Santa Cruz Mountains redwood belt. Total elevation change is about 900 feet.)
• Crockett Hills Regional Park (Contra Costa: 4.8 mile balloon through grassland with expansive views of Carquinez Strait. Total elevation change is about 1000 feet.)
• Año Nuevo State Reserve/Cascade Ranch (San Mateo: 2.2 mile out and back through redwoods to a manzanita-studded knoll. Can be extended to Big Basin State Park. Initial climb is very steep and can slippery in wet weather, when newts scamper about the woods. Total elevation change is about 1000 feet.)
• Olompali State Historic Park (Marin: 3 mile loop through a historical park dominated by a variety of oaks. Total elevation change is about 1030 feet.)
• San Pedro Mountain Open Space Preserve (Marin: 3.3 mile out and back from the edge of residential neighborhood near the Marin Civic Center to the top of San Pedro Mountain. Total elevation change is about 1030 feet.)
• Barbier Park (Marin: 3.7 mile out and back from a residential San Rafael neighborhood to the top of San Pedro Mountain. Total elevation change about 1100 feet.)
• Wunderlich County Park (San Mateo: 5 mile loop through redwoods and sloping meadows. Lots of equestrian traffic. Total elevation change is about 1285 feet. Trails are reasonably graded and most of this hike is shaded.)
Angel Island State Park (Marin: 5 mile loop to the top of the island, with fantastic views. Total elevation change is about 900 feet.)
• Hazelnut Loop, San Pedro Valley Park (San Mateo: 4.2 mile loop is the longest hike within the park, and is a good tour through San Pedro's varied vegetation. Total elevation change is about 900 feet.)
• Loch Lomond Recreation Area (Santa Cruz: 4.9 mile loop initially sticks to the shores of the reservoir, then climbs to a ridge with great views before descending back to the trailhead. Total elevation change is about 800 feet.)
Castle Rock State Park (Santa Cruz: 4.7 mile partial loop near the highest point in the Santa Cruz Mountains. One of the best hikes in the Bay Area, it offers outstanding views west, pretty oaks and chaparral, and unique sandstone formations. Total elevation change is about 1000 feet.)
Sunol Regional Wilderness (Alameda: 4.4 mile loop with many scenic splendors, including expansive views, diverse vegetation, and interesting rock formations. Total elevation change is about 1200 feet.)
• Morgan Territory Regional Preserve (Contra Costa: 4.9 mile loop at a remote oak and grassland preserve. Total elevation change is about 1040 feet. Coyote Trail is steep; every other path on this hike is easy.)
Headquarters Area, Henry W. Coe State Park (Santa Clara County: 4.7 mile loop through grassland and oaks. Total elevation change is about 900 feet.)
• Mountain Home (Marin: 4.7 mile loop through Mount Tamalpais State Park and Muir Woods. Total elevation change is about 1100 feet.)
• Mount Madonna County Park (Santa Clara: 4.6 mile loop features grassland, woods, and quiet trails. Total elevation change is about 1200 feet.)
• Lucas Valley Open Space Preserve (Marin: 3.7 mile out and back from the edge of Novato development to Big Rock Ridge. Although the hike is short, there are some very steep sections. Total elevation change is about 1400 feet.)
• Austin Creek State Recreation Area (Sonoma: 4.1 mile loop through lonely grassland and woods north of Guerneville feels longer; lots of extended steep sections. Total elevation change about 1000 feet.)
• Las Trampas Regional Wilderness (Contra Costa: 4.7 mile loop over sharply rolling, rocky hills. Great views and wildflowers in spring. Total elevation change is about 1400 feet.)
• Lost Trail, Windy Hill Open Space Preserve (San Mateo: 4.6 mile out and back along a Bay Area Ridge Trail segment. Total elevation change is about 1900 feet. Although the trail seems mostly level, the elevation changes do add up.)


Five to ten mile hikes:
• Baylands Preserve (Santa Clara: 5.7 mile loop along the bay, then through an industrial area before returning to more natural low grassy hills. Total elevation change is about 10 feet.)
• Don Edwards S.F. Bay National Wildlife Refuge (Alameda: 5.9 mile loop skirting salt ponds. Total elevation change is about 265 feet.)
• Coyote Hills Regional Park (Alameda: 5 mile loop across a marsh, then up and down hills above the bay. Total elevation change about 630 feet.)
• Sanborn-Skyline County Park (Santa Clara: 6 mile out and back through redwoods on the high eastern flanks of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Total elevation change is about 600 feet.)
• Muddy Hollow (Marin: 7.4 mile loop through Point Reyes coastal scrub. Total elevation change is about 1075 feet. This is one of the easiest 7+ mile hikes in the Bay Area, and probably one of the loneliest.)
• Tubbs Island, San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge (Marin 8 mile partial loop through marsh land south of Sears Point. Total elevation change is imperceptible.)
• Henry W. Coe State Park (Santa Clara: 7.2 mile out and back at the Hunting Hollow section of the park. Very good wildflower displays in spring. Total elevation change is about 300 feet.)
Sweeney Ridge (San Mateo: 5.7 mile out and back climbs, then follows a scenic ridge, with exceptional views. Total elevation change is about 600 feet.)
• Sky (Marin: 5 mile partial loop through Douglas fir woods to the top of Point Reyes's Mount Wittenberg. Total elevation change is about 800 feet.)
• Bon Tempe (Marin: 5 mile loop through chaparral and deep woods, on the northern flank of Mount Tamalpais. Total elevation change is about 700 feet.)
• Bear Valley (Marin: 8.9 mile out and back from Point Reyes's Bear Valley trailhead to Arch Rock. Total elevation change is about 400 feet.)
Estero (Marin: 8.5 mile out and back along the rim of Drakes Estero. Total elevation change is about 600 feet.)
Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve (Santa Clara: 5.5 mile loop past Deer Hollow Farm and across grassland and chaparral. Total elevation change is about 800 feet.)
• Garin/Dry Creek Regional Parks (Alameda: 5.8 mile loop up and down grassy hills northeast of Union City. Total elevation change about 1290 feet.)
• Resolution Loop, El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve (San Mateo: 6 mile loop through mostly redwoods in a preserve popular with mountain bikers. Total elevation change is about 800 feet.)
• Mount Burdell Open Space Preserve (Marin: 5 mile loop through oak grassland in preserve neighboring residential Novato. Hosts a Bay Area Ridge Trail segment. Total elevation change is about 1000 feet.)
Monte Bello Open Space Preserve (Santa Clara: 5.9 mile loop is one of those "you can have it all" hikes. Cool canyon, grassland, views, wildflowers, and wildlife all on one loop. Total elevation change is about 1000 feet.)
• Skyline Wilderness Park (Napa: 5.8 mile loop through grassland, oaks, and around a small lake. Total elevation changes is about 1100 feet).
• Skywalker Easement (Marin: 5 mile out and back from the side of Lucas Valley Road to the shoulder of Loma Alta. Good wildflowers in a serpentine outcrop at the trailhead. Entire fire road is a Bay Area Ridge Trail segment. Total elevation change is about 1100 feet.)
• Calero County Park  (Santa Clara: 5.1 mile loop on grassy hills above Calero Reservoir. Lots of equestrian traffic. Total elevation change is about 1100 feet.)
• Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve (Santa Clara: 6 mile out and back through the Duveneck Windmill area. Total elevation change is about 1000 feet.)
• Woods Trail, Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve (Santa Clara: 5.4 mile out and back through woods and grassland. Total elevation change is about 1100 feet).
• Annadel State Park (Sonoma: 6.2 mile loop through grassland peppered with oaks. Lots of mountain bike traffic. Total elevation change is about 950 feet)
• Five Brooks (Marin: 6.3 mile loop through woods on Point Reyes. Heavy horse traffic in summer. Total elevation change about 1000 feet.)
• Tilden Regional Park (Contra Costa: 6.05 mile loop in a popular park, traveling through woods and grassland. Hosts a Bay Area Ridge Trail segment. Total elevation change about 1300 feet.)
• Wilder Ranch (Santa Cruz: 7.7 mile partial loop on grassy hills above the ocean. Popular with mountain bikers. Total elevation change is about 900 feet.)
• Stevens Creek County Park (Santa Clara: 6.1 mile loop around and above Stevens Creek Reservoir. Total elevation change is about 1100 feet.)
• Buzzard's Roost, Big Basin State Park (Santa Cruz: 5 mile out and back from park headquarters to an incredible sandstone outcropping, with wonderful views of the area. Total elevation change is about 1200 feet.)
• Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park (Alameda: 5.85 loop climbs through oaks and grassland to a series of bare rolling hills, then drops back to the trailhead. Total elevation change is about 1540 feet.)
• Indian Tree Open Space Preserve (Marin: 5.5 mile loop through woods to a viewpoint, with a return through a residential neighborhood. Hosts a Bay Area Ridge Trail segment. Total elevation change is about 1200 feet.)
• Fall Creek Unit (Santa Cruz: 6.8 mile loop through wonderful pockets of redwoods and maples along Fall Creek. Total elevation change is about 1000 feet.)
• El Sereno Open Space Preserve (Santa Clara: 6 mile out and back on a remote ridge above Lexington Reservoir. Scarce parking. Total elevation change is about 1300 feet.)
• Blithedale Summit Open Space Preserve (Marin: 6.6 mile partial loop tours middle slopes of Mount Tamalpais above Mill Valley. Total elevation change is about 1300 feet.)
• Wildcat Canyon Regional Park (Contra Costa: 5.6 mile loop through mostly grassland near Richmond. Total elevation change 1914 feet.)
• Upper Stevens Creek County Park (Santa Clara: 5.5 mile loop up and down the eastern slope of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The return climb is shaded, but sustained. Total elevation change is about 1100 feet.)
• Muir Woods Road (Marin: 6.7 mile loop through Muir Woods and surrounding coastal scrub. Dipsea Trail is a Bay Area Ridge Trail segment. Total elevation change is about 1300 feet.)
 Rock Spring (Marin: 6.5 mile loop through lonely woods on Mount Tam's northern slope. Total elevation change is about 1200 feet.)
Purisima Creek, Soda Gulch, Harkins Ridge Loop, Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve (San Mateo: 7 mile loop captures the best of this preserve -- redwoods, creek, chaparral, and great views. Total elevation change is about 1300 feet.)
Almaden Quicksilver County Park  (Santa Clara: 7.6 mile loop through oaks and grassland at a former mercury mine site. Total elevation change is about 1200 feet.)
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park (Sonoma: 6.2 mile loop to Bald Mountain and back. Lots of rolling grassy hills, great views, some shade, and a creek to cross a few times. Total elevation change is about 1400 feet.)
Hamms Gulch-Spring Ridge Loop, Windy Hill Open Space Preserve (San Mateo: 7.2 mile loop starts in Portola Valley and climbs to the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains, then drops sharply back through grassland. Very pretty and cool in summer fog. Total elevation change is about 1400 feet.)
• Los Vaqueros Watershed (Alameda: 8.3 mile loop up and down fire roads on the hills above a reservoir where golden eagles are regularly spotted. Lots of ups and downs add up to around 2075 feet of change over the length of the hike.)
Tomales Point (Marin 8.4 mile out and back on the Point Reyes peninsula, to Tomales Point. Excellent wildlife watching; lots of tule elk. Total elevation change is about 1190 feet. Some loose sand -- be careful at the edge of bluffs. )
Palomarin (Marin: 7.5 mile out and back along the coast of Point Reyes to Alamere Falls. Two tricky scrambles. Total elevation change is about 600 feet.)
• Grant County Park (Santa Clara: 7.5 mile loop climbs up and down grassy hillsides dotted with oaks, on the high slopes of Mount Hamilton. Great in early spring, but incredibly hot in summer. Total elevation change is about 1300 feet.)
• Mission Peak Regional Preserve (Alameda: 6.2 mile out and back is a steep trek from the edge of a residential neighborhood to the top of the mountain. Hosts a Bay Area Ridge Trail segment. Total elevation change is about 2150 feet.)
Matt Davis-Steep Ravine (Marin: 7.3 mile Mount Tam loop from Stinson Beach to Pantoll and back, through gorgeous woods, high grassy slopes, and lush steep ravine. Matt Davis Trail is a Bay Area Ridge Trail segment. Total elevation change about 1600 feet.)
Barnabe Peak (Marin: 9 mile loop to Samuel P. Taylor State Park's highest peak. Total elevation change is about 1400 feet.)
• McNee Ranch State Park (San Mateo: 8 mile partial loop starts with a killer climb to the top of Montara Mountain, but the return is all downhill. Total elevation change is about 1800 feet.)
Donner Canyon, Mount Diablo State Park (Contra Costa: 7.4 mile balloon up Donner Canyon, then past a series of waterfalls. There are a few steep sections of fire road, and many short steep stretches on the trail. Total elevation change is about 2010 feet.)
Mitchell Canyon-Eagle Peak Loop (Contra Costa: 7.7 mile Mount Diablo hike is a creek-to-peak loop through stunning mountain landscapes. Many steep sections. Total elevation change is about 2500 feet.)
• Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve (Santa Clara: 9.4 mile out and back to the top of Black Mountain. Mostly easy, but the last mile to the top is very steep. Total elevation change is about 2300 feet.)

More than ten mile hikes:
• Berry Creek Falls from the beach, Big Basin Redwoods State Park (Santa Cruz: 12 mile out and back from the ocean to Berry Creek Falls. Mostly on fire roads, this is an easier hike than the equivalent journey from park headquarters, and far less crowded. Total elevation change is about 500 feet.)
Jack London State Historic Park (Sonoma: 10.3 mile out and back hike through woods above Jack London's ranch. Hosts a Bay Area Ridge Trail segment. Total elevation change is about 1500 feet.)
Robert Louis Stevenson State Park (Napa: 10 mile out and back to the top of Mount St. Helena. Total elevation change is about 2350 feet. The first and last 0.8 mile is a narrow and somewhat rutted rocky trail. The remainder of the hike is on wide well-maintained fire roads. The challenge here is heat and exposure.)
Waterfall Loop, Big Basin Redwoods State Park (Santa Cruz: 9.6 mile loop through redwoods and past waterfalls. A Bay Area classic! Total elevation change is about 3080 feet. The entire hike is on trails. Consider both the distance and elevation change when planning this hike.)