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Fernandez Ranch

4.0 (13 reviews)

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4/3/21
Ann L.

I forgot I've been to Fernandez Ranch almost 11yrs ago. Went Sat 4/3/21 I drove from Fremont which is 45miles away, traffic was ok until Hwy 80 where there was an accident earlier, so took more than 45 min. Free parking and there is an Overflow lot if there are too many cars. 1 vault toilet had tp and trash can inside. No drinking water there so bring your own. We went to the Windmill Trail there is an old windmill that works, then we went Pinole Valley Watershed where u need a permit to hike in (friend has a permit). After a long day hiking in the Watershed area I felt a bit more energy. I thought 3 more miles would be easy, but we had already done like 11 miles. Still we did those 3 extra miles. Woodrat Trail was short, but Whipsnake Trail was super long and went up with many switchbacks, then did Black Phoebe Trail that's ADA approved (good for wheelchair). We saw a Coyote, lots of cows, lots of turkeys, and birds.

Broken passenger window.
Richard A.

Fernandez Ranch what a gem! Great hiking trails not too strenuous, but challenging at times. Views of rolling hills, wildlife birds of prey, rabbits, coyotes. We just love coming here. Until today Our car was broken into along with several other cars. Nothing was taken because there was nothing to take. Resulting in two broken windows. These are mobile thieving jerks trying to make a fast buck.

bridge to/from parking
Dan B.

There was something in the air that night The stars were bright, Fernandez... I may have been humming this slightly modified Abba tune during part of our group hike here, even though it was in the daytime. We hit the December weather just right - cool and crisp; and we were treated to blue skies, gorgeous oaks and rolling, open hills. Like most of the exposed East bay hikes, the cooler months are the best time to go here. (Per my East Bay hiking contact, the summer can be fairly brutal at this location). And if you are feeling boviniferous, you're in luck. There is still a working dairy farm on the property, so quite a few cows can be seen munching grass in some sections of the park. And where there are cows, there are also patties, so we did have to stay vigilant for 'land mines' along the trail. Our group completed a 7-mile loop, breaking for lunch at a lone hill at the end of the vista trail. This perch provided 360 degree views and showed us that civilization actually wasn't too far in some directions; but the park layout and semi-clandestine entrance had made it feel like it was our own private, secluded hiking area. Note: It's easy to miss the turnoff on Christie road, off Rte 4. It is just after the Franklin Canyon golf course and just before the train track overpass; and the last half mile is a narrow and sketchy passage that can barely be classified as 'paved'. Dan's Hiking Spot Checklist: -- Parking: small gravel lot, in good shape -- Bathrooms: pit toilet at parking lot -- Potable water: No -- Maps provided: No (but available online) -- Highlights: Lack of crowds; remote feel; nice views

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Yesenia L.

One of my favorite hiking trails! Beautiful trails that are well maintained during the year. I'm always amazed by how underused this space is... You can easily get a 5k done by sticking to the large loop. Great for hill work as well! Recently I've noticed that they are working on adding a cover over the picnic tables which will make it more comfortable during the summer months for picnic outings. Great for some communing with nature time...

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Is the parking area closed due to COVID-19?

It was open when I was there this week

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Review Highlights - Fernandez Ranch

The John Muir Land Trust preserves don't get as much attention as the East Bay Regional Parks.

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Mount Wanda - You & Me?

Mount Wanda

(20 reviews)

Now that I'm such a seasoned hiker (tongue firmly in cheek), I can say with some temerity that I…read morefound this mile-long trail a bit, shall we say, short. I don't mind short trails, but I had to fill up my daily step requirement elsewhere and headed over to Briones for that purpose. That's not to say this trail wasn't worthwhile. It most definitely was as the 13% grade wasn't insurmountable. It allowed nice views of the Carquinez Strait and Mount Diablo at the top. The circuitous trails were surrounded by various oak trees and wildflowers. I made an attempt at following the riding trail that goes through a gamey tunnel under the highway, but it made a dramatic climb which deflated my unearned self-image of a seasoned hiker. Regardless you can see why John Muir took pleasure in taking his daughters with him through these hills. Wanda was the name of his eldest daughter. The trailhead is directly to your right at the Alhambra Avenue exit off Hwy 4. RELATED - Up for a hike? Here's a collection of trails I've walked and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2OrC8nU

When the dog and I need a good hike that isn't too far from home and we can do in a reasonable…read moreamount of time, we come to Mt. Wanda. My man and I are hiking here every other weekend at least. The dog loves it. We recently did the Full Moon Hike that is put on by the Rangers. The kids tagged along. Its free and one of the few times you're allowed on the Mt. during the night. The kids had a wonderful time meandering around in the dark. It was fun to be out of our element with flashlights. The moon was beautiful. The only negative is ticks. We went hiking on Thanksgiving morning with our dog and proceeded to pull seven ticks off our dog. The most yet. Wear bug spray and make sure that your dog is properly protected. Morning, noon or night this is a great hike to take.

Castle Rock State Park

Castle Rock State Park

(429 reviews)

Have long eyed the Castle Rock State Park and glad we finally went! The park charges a nominal…read moreparking fee ($10 at time of writing); the parking fee is waived if you have one of the supported passes. Check their site for more info: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=538# We really enjoyed our hike here. The space is beautiful, and the trails are well-maintained. The trailhead had plenty restrooms as well. We made it up to Goat Rock Lookout, back down, then detour to the waterfall. It took ~1.5 hours in total, which was perfect for a end-of-day hike before the park closes at sunset. The view up at Goat Rock Lookout was breathtaking!

If you're looking for another place that has breathtaking views surrounding the whole Santa Cruz…read moreMountains (but don't want to go all the way to Portola Valley), Castle Rock State Park is the place for you. This place is usually my go to when the weather is just perfect and you want good views of the mountains viewing the Monterey Bay and the Santa Clara Valley. In addition, the park is even open during the cold winter season, where it occasionally will snow (because of how high the elevation is, the main base is situated at about 3,200 feet above sea level). This place has been my go-to park for hiking for a while, because of its terrain. At the same time, it's also been because of how much snow they get when cold fronts come into effect. They are also open year-round, so definitely swing by this state park when you do get the chance to! It's a decision you'll never regret.

Fernandez Ranch - hiking - Updated May 2026

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