Overlooking Suisun Bay with glorious views of Mt. Diablo, Sky Ranch sits in the hills southwest of Martinez and offers something increasingly rare in the Bay Area—genuine open land that feels removed from development and human activity. The John Muir Land Trust acquired this property in 1998, preserving it from what would have been subdivision sprawl. Walking here with your dog feels like stepping back in time, which is exactly the point.

The ranch serves as a critical link connecting East Bay Regional Park District parklands while protecting key segments of the Bay Area Ridge Trail and Contra Costa Feeder Trail #1. Dogs do well on these trails, which wind across the property and connect to sections of the California Hiking & Riding Trail. You’re likely to spot deer, fox, and coyote along the way. Red-tailed hawks and American kestrels circle overhead, and if you’re lucky, you might catch sight of a mountain lion in the distance. The trust manages the property partly to protect mountain lion habitat, but according to John Muir Land Trust, these animals maintain their distance—your dog is perfectly safe here.

Getting there is straightforward. From Highway 4 eastbound, take the Alhambra Avenue exit, turn right onto Alhambra, then take your first right onto Franklin Canyon Road. If you’re coming westbound on Highway 4, exit at Alhambra, turn left onto Alhambra, then right onto Franklin Canyon Road. Continue on Franklin Canyon for about a mile, then turn left onto Dutra Road. You’ll find the trailhead marked “Contra Costa County Feeder Trail #1″ on the left roughly a tenth of a mile up the road—look for the yellow “END” sign and park on the left side by the stables. The Feeder Trail itself climbs a mile to the Sky Ranch gate where you’ll find a kiosk with maps and information. The views improve with every step higher.