Fairmont Ridge sits within Anthony Chabot Regional Park, and it’s one of the better spots in the East Bay Regional Parks system if you want to take your dog somewhere with real views and room to move around. The paved trail climbs steadily but isn’t too punishing, and you don’t get lake access from here like you would on some of the other Chabot trails, but the payoff is those bay views that open up as you gain elevation. On a clear day you can see across the water, and the trail itself is wide enough that you’re not constantly managing around other hikers.

The park allows dogs off-leash in designated areas, which is what makes this worth the drive from Castro Valley proper. There’s legitimate open space where dogs can actually run and explore rather than just trotting next to you on a six-foot line. The trail gets moderate use but it’s not packed like some of the more famous East Bay hikes. You’ll see other dogs occasionally, mostly well-behaved, and the whole thing feels less crowded than you’d expect for something this close to the Bay Area population centers.

The maintained trail surface means you don’t have to worry about your dog sinking into mud or dealing with crazy rocky terrain. We went on a warm afternoon in early fall and there was decent tree cover for stretches, though you’ll be in the sun for portions of the climb. Bring water for your dog since there’s no reliable water sources along the route itself. The parking area at the trailhead has room, though it does fill up on weekends. Starting early makes a real difference if you’re coming on a Saturday.