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Walnut Creek, California

Walnut Creek, California, is the perfect destination for adventurers looking for the best trails and activities. From hikes to attractions, the area offers a variety of top adventures. Popular attractions in and near the area include the Shell Ridge Open Space, Mount Diablo State Park, and Lime Ridge Open Space. These locations offer activities such as hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Visitors can also take a stroll along the Iron Horse Regional Trail or explore the trails at the Las Trampas Regional Wilderness. With so many activities available, Walnut Creek is the perfect place to explore and enjoy nature.

Top Spots in and near Walnut Creek

  • Point Reyes Station, California

    Sky Trail Loop

    5.0
    9.55 mi / 1818 ft gain
    Sky Trail in Point Reyes National Seashore is a dramatic, mostly single-track trail that runs along the main spine of the Inverness Ridge and across highest mountains in Point Reyes, looming above the Olema Valley and Highway 1 which mark the San Andreas Fault rift zone and the dividing line betw...
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  • Point Reyes Station, California

    Sky Campground via Sky Trail

    2.66 mi / 495 ft gain
    Entering Point Reyes National Seashore from Bear Valley Road the Sky Trailhead is a 4.9 mile drive.  Camping in Sky Camp requires a Camping Permit.   Once at the Sky Trailhead parking lot.  The Sky Trailhead will be on the left side pulling in.  The hike is not very strenuous and not all that lo...
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  • La Honda, California

    Sam McDonald Park Loop

    5.0
    12.19 mi / 2192 ft gain
    The Pescadero Creek Park Complex is a great place to escape for a day or overnight hike in the heart of the Bay Area. You will need to get a permit to stay overnight - these can be attained on a first-come, first-serve basis from the ranger station. Most of the campsites here are also available f...
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  • Santa Rosa, California

    Hike Crane Creek Regional Park

    4.0
    3.5 mi
    With multiple loops of varying length, this park is great for anyone looking for a casual hike around a beautiful area in the foothills of Rohnert Park. Crane Creek has nice secluded picnic areas next to the creek in the cover of willow, alder, buckeye and bay trees. There's also an 18-hole disc ...
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  • Saint Helena, California

    Hike Bald Mountain, Sugarloaf Ridge SP

    5.0
    6 mi / 1540 ft gain
    Park at the top of Adobe Canyon Road in the gravel parking lot to the left of the ranger kiosk. There is a $7.00 parking fee.There are many options for routes to the top; the easiest of which is mostly paved (although still steep in parts). To take this route, head north out of the trailhead park...
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  • Point Reyes Station, California

    Coast Campground via Laguna Trailhead

    4.3
    4.02 mi / 633 ft gain
    This campground is the closest you can get to staying overnight on Pt. Reyes coastline if you're backpacking in. Once you get there, enjoy the view! The easiest way to get to the camp is from the slightly uphill hike along the Laguna Trail and the Firelane Trail. The trailhead for the Laguna Tra...
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  • Half Moon Bay, California

    Stroll along the Southern Beaches at San Gregorio State Beach

    4.0
    2.9 mi / 413 ft gain
    Not a trail per se, but approximately 3 miles (down and back) of beautiful beach to walk down. Lots of interesting caves, wild animals, and rock formations to discover. This is a popular location for sea kayakers. San Gregorio State Beach was originally founded to protect the estuary at the back ...
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  • Point Reyes Station, California

    Hike the Laguna Trail & Coast Trail Loop

    5.0
    5.2 mi / 300 ft gain
    Leave your car on a side of the road. When navigating there, put "HI Hostel Point Reyes" in your navigation - you park literally on the other side of the road, opposite to the hostel. Go to the west and soon you'll find the start of Coast Trail with a tsunami warning sign. During first 1.8 mile y...
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  • Saint Helena, California

    Hike the Lake Hennessey Loop

    5.0
    6.4 mi / 900 ft gain
    The "lollipop" hike starts at the "Ranch House" parking lot off of Chiles Pope Valley Road - alternatively, you can access from Conn Valley Road for a shortened 5.6-mile loop. You turn off Chiles Pope Valley Road onto Moore Creek Trail, drive past a private house (you can see it on the map) and t...
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  • Los Gatos, California

    Lost Mine Trail Run

    Communes, dairy, and gold. These words are not often associated with trail running, but out on Monte Bello Ridge and Black Mountain which rise high above Silicon Valley, you might just hear them uttered.From the parking area in Skyline Open Space we start our run by crossing Skyline Boulevard and...
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  • Inverness, California

    Explore the S.S. Point Reyes Shipwreck

    3.9
    Explore the shipwreck of the S.S. Point Reyes, perched on a sand bar off the shoreline of Tomales Bay. It is located in the small town of Inverness, just behind the grocery store. If you are driving North on Sir Francis Drake Blvd it will be on your right side. Parking is easy and you will see a ...
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  • Kenwood, California

    Pony Gate-Canyon Loop

    4.0
    2.17 mi / 568 ft gain
    The Pony Gate-Canyon Loop within Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is a new favorite of mine on my list of family and kid-friendly hikes. Our little girls did great with this hike and loved it. If you can get moving early in the day and begin your hike around breakfast time, you might find there are few...
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  • Loma Mar, California

    Camp Under the Redwoods at Memorial Park

    With old growth redwoods and a creek swimming area, Memorial Park is a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area. Memorial Park is only a few miles east of the town of Pescadero. To get here, you can either approach from Highway 1 and drive up Pescadero Creek Road or take Highway ...
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  • Loma Mar, California

    Bike Pescadero Creek County Park

    5.0
    12.5 mi / 1350 ft gain
    Pescadero Creek County Park and the connected Sam McDonald and Memorial Park are located deep in the Santa Cruz Mountains holding a vast network of secluded trails. From biking to backpacking, this area is a perfect place for a day or weekend adventure. This area also has the added bonus having r...
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  • Inverness, California

    Walk along Limantour Beach

    4.8
    The entire drive to Pt. Reyes is picturesque, but once you make it to Limantour, you and your dog can both get out and enjoy it! This area, between Drake's Bay and an estuary, allows you to spend time relaxing or head out for a run (keep the dog on leash). If you're lucky you might either get a c...
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  • Mount Hamilton, California

    Stargaze at Lick Observatory

    3.8
    Hop on Road 130 heading out of San Jose and follow the winding two lane road up, up, up to to the top of Mt. Hamilton and the Lick Observatory. There are lots of deer, wild turkey, and pigs in the area. If you are lucky you will get to see a herd of deer grazing in a meadow. But be careful that y...
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