City View Trail in Ukiah is a solid two-mile loop that rewards the climb with real views across Ukiah Valley. The hike is leash-only, so plan accordingly. Getting to the trailhead takes a bit of navigation, but it’s worth figuring out. Start at Low Gap Park and head to the parking lot across from the high school. Take the paved road downhill from there, cross the bridge, then hang a right when you hit the dirt road. Keep climbing uphill until you spot a small trail branching left—you’ll know it by the “no bikes” sign posted there.

The trail itself crosses another bridge and passes a vernal pool. This is where you really need to keep your dog close and on leash, since the pool is off-limits for dogs. After that, you’ll reach an intersection with Canyon Trail. Hang a left here onto City View Trail proper, and that’s when the real uphill work begins.

The payoff comes once you’ve made the elevation gain. The valley views from up there are the reason people do this hike. On a clear day, you can see across a good stretch of the surrounding landscape, which feels substantial when you’ve just hiked up to earn it. The trail is popular enough that you’ll probably see other hikers and dogs on weekends, but it doesn’t feel crowded. The dirt surface is straightforward to walk on, though it can get dusty in summer.

Since this is an out-and-back essentially, you’re retracing your steps on the way down, so nothing surprising on the return. Bring water—the trail has shade in spots but it’s mostly exposed once you’re climbing. The whole loop takes most people a couple hours depending on pace and how long you linger at the views.