A great trail on the west side of Lake Chabot!!!…read more I'm lucky I live a quick drive away from here. This is one of my go to trails when I want to get a quick mid week hike in and I don't have a lot of time. I access this trail through Chabot Park, this trail is to the left. It's all dirt, small rolling hills until you get to the camp grounds. This trail doesn't always run right next to Lake Chabot, lots of curving in and out from the lake and back with small inclines and declines along the way. This trail is mostly used by walkers and bike riders, and it's a good way to just get away from it all, at least for a little while, or as long as you feel like it!!

MY PHOTOGRAPHS. (1) View to the south, of a deep canyon. At the top of my photo, you can see the…read moreBay-O-Vista neighborhood in San Leandro. (2) Later on, you pass a little peninsula of land, where people sometimes go fishing. Here and there by the water's edge there are thick patches of tall reeds. (3) Further along on Bass Cove Trail, there is a transition in the trail, where long branches from thousands of trees cover the entire trail, like a tunnel. (4) Gulch that is covered with arching trees, where the tree are covered with bright green moss. (5) Further along on Bass Cove Trail, you will encounter a second trail sign at a fork in the trail. The sign indicates the direction to Bass Cove, and the direction of Goldenrod Trail. I am posing in this photo. (6) Close up photo of one of the thousands of trees covered with bright green moss. (7) View of a beautiful little bay, located at the western edge of Lake Chabot. As you can see from this photograph, Bass Cove Trail is now about 200 feet above the Lake Chabot. (8) Photograph of several ducks. The ducks are swimming at the northern-most part of Bass Cove. BASS COVE TRAIL. The most direct access to Bass Cove Trail is by starting at the parking lot at the end of Estudillo Ave. The initial part of the hike is uphill and, once beyond the dam, it remains mostly level, where you are taking a clockwise route around Lake Chabot. Early in your hike, you will encounter a chain linked fence at the right side of the trail. Just beyond this fence is a very steep hill (almost a cliff) where a canyon resides at the bottom of the cliff. The view of the trees growing near the bottom of this canyon is beautiful. Dramatic photographs can be taken from the top of the very steep hill. Further along Bass Cove Trail, hikers will encounter a beach that has thick clusters of reeds. On occasion, one or two fishermen practice their fishing hobby near these reeds. A tiny restroom is at the edge of Bass Cove Trail, next to this beach. DISTINCTIVE STYLE OF BASS COVE TRAIL. From the beach with reeds, all the way to the northern-most area of Bass Cove, the trail consists of about 20 loops that loop inland and away from the lake, and about 20 loops that loop towards the lake. The trail loops inland where there is a gulch (the gulch is like a notch in the mountain, and the trail takes you through this notch). The trail loops towards the lake, wherever a narrow hill extends from the mountain to the west. This extending hill is sort of like an arm reaching out from the mountain to the west (here, the trail allows you to skirt this arm, and to walk around the extending arm). When hiking northwards, the gulches to your left provide opportunities for taking photographs of moss-covered trees and bushy clusters of ferns. To the right side of the trail, which is filled with gnarly-looking trees, some of them covered with electric-green moss. Because the brightly-lit waters of Lake Chabot are in back of the gnarly trees, the outlines of the gnarly trees are easier to see. DUCKS. My 300 millimeter telephoto lens enabled me to take several photographs of the ducks that make their home at the northern-most area of Bass Cove. This northern-most area had another cluster of reeds. Once at this northern-most area, hikers have the choice of continuing their clockwise hike around Lake Chabot, or continuing in the northwards direction on a straight trail (not a loop trail) that follows along Grass Valley Creek. HUMOR WHILE HIKING. Near the end of my return hike, I noticed two women walking uphill towards me, and one of them was wearing a long coat with an unusual color. I paused in my walk and said, "Can you tell me the color of your coat? I know that it is not pink or scarlet." Then, the woman with the brightly colored coat answered, "It is fuchsia ! ! !" Within a blink of an eye, I replied, "Oh, I was so CONFUCHED ! ! !" The two ladies responded with a cascade of merry laughs. Then, I continued my walk, and I was glad that their response had made my day.

My friend and I started going on hikes sometime in October. We wanted to get out there and find…read moredifferent ways of being active but also just enjoying nature. I found this trail on AllTrails app and we have it a go. I wish I could remember how long it was. This is what I get for doing a review too late but I will say this - it is a lovely trail. The views are picturesque but unbelievable. It is also a busy trail. Say hi to your fellow hikers :-)

MY PHOTOGRAPHS. During the first week of February 2021, I took two hikes on Seaview Trail, each…read moretime taking photos. The attached photographs show: (1) Early in your hike, you will encounter a view of Mount Diablo. My photo shows Mount Diablo framed in between a V-shaped arrangement of two skinny branches of a bush; (2) Lichen clinging to branches of a dead bush. Large networks of lichen cling to the branches of fallen trees, and to the branches of dead bushes. These networks are a treat-to-the-eye, especially when illuminated by the morning sun; (3) Photograph of me wearing my CREAM T-shirt, showing Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker. I am standing on Seaview Trail near the trailhead for Arroyo Trail; (4) Close-up photograph of little berries and pretty lenticular leaves. It is my guess that these belong to a Bay Laurel tree; (5) After about 20 minutes of hiking you can see the sunlit WESTERN side of a line of eucalyptus trees. My photo of this line of trees taken from a distance of about a quarter mile from the row of trees; (6) After about 20 minutes of hiking you can see the shaded EASTERN side of a line of eucalyptus trees. My second photo of this line of trees shows a close-up view of these trees; (7) Hikers heading northwards will encounter little hills on the right side of the trail. Some of these hills have narrow paths leading to the top. One photo shows Strawberry Shortcake posing at the top of one of these hills. The array of trees sitting at the top of this hill, with the motley shadows, is fascinating. SEAVIEW TRAIL is a 2.2 mile trail where the trailhead is located next to a parking lot. This particular parking lot is intended for those intending to hike on Seaview Trail or on Vollmer Peak Trail. The parking lot is located near a separate parking lot that is mainly for folks visiting the STEAM TRAIN. Seaview Trail takes you north, north, north, and it ends at Wildcat Canyon Road, at a spot not far from Inspiration Point. This means that the round trip walk on Seaview Trail is about 4.4 miles. Most of Seaview Trail takes the form of a 15-foot wide dirt road. During my hike, I only encountered hikers and their dogs. There were not any bicycles or automobiles. POSSIBLE NEED FOR A MAP DURING YOUR FIRST HIKE. During my first minute on Seaview Trail, I was a little confused because the trail takes you in the southerly direction. But after about 100 feet, the trail makes a sharp hairpin turn, and then takes you in the northerly direction. It might be a good idea for first-time hikers to bring along a map. Once you are on Seaview Trail, several other trails branch off from this trail and descend into lower areas of Tilden Park. These trails include, Arroyo Trail, Big Springs Trail, Lower Big Springs Trail, and Quarry Trail.

This was a nice Sunday hike around the Mills College at Northeastern campus in Oakland, CA. We had…read morea beautiful day and also visited the Mills College Art museum. You enter at the front gate 5000 MacArthur blvd. You'll Need to show ID. Dogs need a special permit- so most likely do not bring them. Parking and museum are free and everyone seemed welcoming. Now for the hike- I was confused where to go...but once I scanned the QR code on one of the trail posts, I could see the trail map. We parked at the museum and walked in a counter clockwise direction. Basically you are hiking along the perimeter of the campus - past sports fields, pool, chapel, farm, small cemetery, main quad area (called the oval). Part of the trail near Pinetop Hill was closed to us, but that was okay since we were ready to check out the free museum (featuring well known artists as part of the collection). If I wanted a peaceful getaway, with a new art exhibit , I would go back. It's a special gem in the area that I never had visited until today. Here's a link to the map: https://footpathapp.com/routes/efbdfeac-7ca1-48d4-8592-ac5535ebdbbd

"Peaceful, Hike, but Watch out for Beehives!"…read more Pinetop Fitness Trail is a scenic trail around the outskirts of Mills College in Oakland. The total distance is about two and a half miles, and it's an easy hike. Along the way, you hike through parts of the campus and see a cemetery, a community garden, and beehives. You can access the trail in multiple places throughout the campus. The security booth at the entrance to the college also has maps of the campus. However, the maps do not show the beehives. The day that I visited, the trail was unexpectedly blocked part way through. I had to figure out how to get back to the main road. This is a great place to visit if you're interested in a peaceful syroll through a beautiful campus. At the far end of the trail, near Pinetop road, there's a crest that you that has beehives. I'm pretty sure the bees don't like it if you get very close.

This was a wonderful trail! Anyone and everyone you ran across was very polite and shared the…read moretrails easily. Lots of side trails in the area that'll take you out to different starting points so be mindful. The area was so green with all the trees, its a nice break from the cities. Trail was dog and bicycles friendly. Bicyclist were nice enough to ring their bells or make you aware of them as they got near.

A sweet experience that's more of a nature walk than an actual hike, though it starts with steps…read morefrom the Monterey Boulevard side of things. It took about an hour and was mostly flat with a few slight uphills here and there. Plenty of off-leash dogs, if that kind of thing bothers you. It doesn't bother me as long as they're friendly, and they were.

Perfect trail for city folk or children. If your a real outdoors person or have needs for longer…read moretrails for physical fitness - there are better places. The trail is peppered with numerous trolls. Kids and young at heart adults would love this sort of thing. The trolls are made of all different materials and so have varied personalities. There were countless trolls but I took a few photos of my favorites. City folk would love this place. If you are cooped up in a tiny two bedroom apartment with no back yard and no privacy this is just the place to go. Even though I've got a massive private backyard diligently maintained with lush landscaping I still enjoy this place. Came around sunset and the way light filtered through the branches of soaring redwoods was majestic. Lots of shady paths but they were a bit muddy - so don't wear your favorite Dunks. The entrance is hard to find and parking is mostly street. People walking here were friendly and many took their dogs. Kids seemed to enjoy the swing area toward the back best. Rocky's market area would be a perfect place to park. Then walk up the hill and look for the public hidden staircases. Elderly might have trouble with stairs. Wheelchair people I didn't see here. Moms with strollers - I'm not so sure - there are lots of roots and hills and parking might be a little ways away. If your blind be sure and bring a person who can tell you how beautiful things are. If a person was blind from birth I wouldn't know what to say. I once met a person as such and had a hard time describing anything as there is no point of reference ever. If you want to recreate this kind of feeling in your own backyard do as I do: Plant narrow evergreens around the entire perimeter of your yard. Then add some bird of paradise and palm trees. Presto! every time you enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning in your yard you have privacy and even in the winter it is green and beautiful.

Well... I realized this was right up the street from me!! A very high, scary street, but nothing me…read moreand my 6 year old daughter couldn't handle. It was adventure time! Lol I found this place here on yelp so I decided to check it out because it looked kid friendly with great views of the cities... And indeed, we both hiked around the hills with no problem and meditated for a few minutes at the top of the hill while facing the scenery. It was beautiful! We both enjoyed this little getaway & might make it our weekend routine :)

Found this place from a good neighbor, and lo and behold, it did not disappoint. It is an off…read moreleash dog park where you can let your dogs run free on top of Oakland Hills. The cool part is there are several hills that goes up and down. Great workout both for the dogs and humans. It's not huge, but if you go around twice you can get a good cardio workout and you'll start sweating. I know I did. Be aware though that there are quite a few poop off the side of the trails so just be mindful. Try to look where you're stepping into. Bring your dog poop bags as there are non available. There is one trash can that's towards Sunkist Dr/McCormick entrance. There are no official parking, but plenty of neighborhood street parking in the area about half or a block away. I met a few neighbors while I was up there and they shared there were two other spots of entry. I am not sure exactly as I am still fairly new to the area, but I'd give it a try for your dogs if you live nearby. Cheers!

We just went last month again and went different direction---we all LOVED it! Great parking lot…read more Water views, horses, birds, ground critters, trails thru meadows, woods, by river, by reservoir, by creek, behind peaceful subdivision w beautiful backyard gardens, tons of dragonflies when we went this time! Love seeing these pics of my kiddo growing up on the same trailhead.

The Upper San Leandro Reservoir was created in 1926 by impounding the San Leandro Creek. The dam…read moreget most of its water from the Mokelumne Aqueduct that brings water from the Sierra Nevada's. The original earthen dam was deemed seismically unsound and a new dam was build just past it in 1977. The water is distributed to local communities by the East Bay Municipal Utility District. There is an extensive public trail system that surrounds the lake, but no fishing or boating is allowed.

This trail is pretty advanced, so don't try it for your first hike. Also, please note it is on…read moreEBMUD land, so you need to purchase an inexpensive permit. The rangers will come around and check, so be sure to get the permit. You can buy it online for about $10. There is a large staging area called Chabot Staging, right off Redwood Road. It's a large parking lot with one outhouse. I don't recall seeing any drinking faucets there however. The trailhead is very close by. You will be required to sign in with your permit number at a little kiosk there. There is also a road nearby going into the area, but that is actually a private road, so stay off that. It leads right to the dam. I have mixed feelings about the trail. Some sections of it are really rutted and difficult to hike, whereas others are really beautiful. On the day that I visited, I measured six miles from the gate at Chabot to the gate at Rocky Ridge. None of the sections were super steep, but I didn't like hiking through the rutted areas, which are often near cattle drinking troughs. However, if you like really oozy mud sticking to your hiking boots, you will love those sections. I took three liters of water which proved to be a good amount. Many of the hikers on this Trail are geocachers, discovering the little hidden containers spread out along the trail.