Located just off Highway 4 between Hercules and Martinez, Fernandez Ranch offers a surprising amount of trail variety given how accessible it is from the freeway. The views are legitimately good—you can see the San Francisco Bay glinting from the summits, and the northern Bay Area spreads out from the ridgetops. What makes it particularly nice for dogs is the off-leash policy on all the trails as long as your dog stays under control. That’s a real advantage if you’re trying to let them burn energy.

The ranch has three separate picnic areas and multiple trail options depending on what you’re in the mood for. If accessibility is important, there’s 1.5 miles of ADA-compliant trails plus the Black Phoebe Trail, which is genuinely scenic—it winds along the edge of South Meadow with picnic tables and benches scattered throughout. It’s a good spot to settle down with a sandwich and do some bird watching.

The Windmill Trail is worth the walk if you want a bit of history mixed in. You’ll pass the remnants of a mid-20th century dairy farm and an old windmill, then follow Fern Creek before joining a segment of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. The Whipsnake Trail is shorter but the views at the top are worth the climb. Kids and dogs both tend to enjoy poking around the hills and meadows looking for beetles, bugs, and animal tracks.

The ranch connects to adjacent protected lands, so if you want to extend your hike beyond what Fernandez offers, you have options. Mountain bikers and horse riders use these trails too, so you’ll likely see others out there.

Getting here requires a bit of attention—Christie Road is a minor exit off Highway 4, easy to miss. From the freeway, it’s just 0.7 miles down Christie Road to the entrance. There’s a staging area if you’re hauling horses, and plenty of parking for regular vehicles.