The East Bay Regional Park District, 90 years young this year, spans Alameda and Contra Costa counties east of San Francisco with more than 125,000 acres in 73 parks and 1,250 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, nature study—and, of course, dog walking/hiking.
The Park District offers lakes, shorelines, campgrounds, visitor centers, interpretive and recreation programs, picnic areas, indoor/outdoor rental facilities and much more. The regional parks are ideal for healthful recreation and environmental education as well. And, for dogs and the humans who follow, the EBRPD is one of the most dog-friendly entities in the state of California.
Here are a few of our DogTrekker favorites for hiking with your dog. Our thanks to our partner, Stay Pleasant Hill, for supporting our coverage of this rich natural and cultural resource of outdoor wellness.
Round Top, one of the tallest peaks in the area, is composed of ancient lava and volcanic debris from a volcano that existed 10 million years ago. Over time, the Hayward and Moraga earthquake faults lifted the Berkeley hills and tilted the Round Top volcano complex to its side. Quarrying part of the preserve exposed layers of bedrock and is now an outdoor laboratory for the study of volcanism in the Central Coast ranges.
Nestled within central Contra Costa County, Briones Regional Park is a hidden gem characterized by its undulating grassy hills and serene, shaded canyons, providing a stark contrast to the surrounding urban areas. From Briones Peak, hikers are treated to panoramic views of Mount Diablo to the east, Mt. Tamalpais (Marin County) to the west and Sacramento River and its delta to the north.
So much to do at Tilden Park in Berkeley, a lot of which is dog-friendly. Kids (and dogs) of all ages are love riding the Tilden/Redwood Valley Railway, a miniature train that has been looping around the park since 1952. Rides cover 1.25 miles of track on a scenic route that offers the occasional ocean view.
For the safety of everyone who uses the park (including dogs and horses), the East Bay Regional Parks District has guidelines for bringing your dog. Please check it them out before you go and Leave Only Paw Prints® so that dogs continue to be welcome at the parks.
