"No Dinosaurs, just a really steep hike!"
Dinosaur Ridge is quite a steep hike, but worth the effort to see (once, anyway.) You start at the Chabot Staging area, off Redwood Road. There is a large parking lot there, with a primitive outhouse, and not much else. There might be a water faucet there (but I didn't look for one.) There are signs warning about car break-ins, so don't leave valuables in sight.
Note that this hike is on EBMUD land, so you need to get a hiking permit to access. This is available online, and is very cheap. The park police come around occasionally, so don't risk a ticket. Be sure to carry your permit with you.
Very close by is a fun business, "Castro Valley Christmas Tree Farm." It's on Miller Road, which is usually blocked off. However, on the trail, you go right behind the farm (see my photos.)
From the staging area, it is less than a 3 mile hike to Dinosaur Ridge. For part of the way, you are on the "Ramage Trail." It's a pretty, green-covered trail. Later, you make a right turn to go towards the ridge. Then, it's just brown dirt, and not so pretty.
The name of this landmark comes from all the rocks lined up in a row at the top of the steep ridge. Does it look like a Dino-Ridgeback? Well, maybe, if you have a good imagination. (I put a geocache near the top.)
The trail you are on for most of the time is also part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, as well as the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail. This latter trail has some interesting historical significance--worth reading about.
So all in all, just an "okay" hike. I thought it was worth traveling to one-time, but may not merit a second visit. read more