Jamee S.

Nice place to explore. Beautiful views! The visitor center is quaint with a small display of the native animals. The actual summit is inside. We came when there was a bit of snow. Short little hiking trail. There are public restrooms here.

Connie W.

First Hike in 2024; started the Six Peak Challenge. Self paid entrance fee at gate, bathrooms at trailhead, started at 8am when park officially opened. Some areas were muddy at the lower levels, we jumped over 6 creek crossings. My favorite sight was at the last lookout along Eagle Peak Trail to see Suisun Bay with a mountain range rising above the fog level, then a pink layer, a blue layer, and finally the full blanket of clouds. We hiked at a fairly quick pace, photos and bathroom at the summit then down to the Picnic Area for trail lunch at noon. Returning via Mitchell Canyon Fire Road was easy and serene.

JoAnn S.

My friend and I meet monthly, and we go somewhere in the larger Bay Area. She took drove us to the Mount Diablo Summit because I had never been there. We didn't have much time, and that is something to keep in mind. It takes more time than you might think to drive to the Summit. My friend had a doctor's appointment that she had to keep. It made it so we couldn't stay long. There is a parking lot at the top with panoramic views. The day we went, the air didn't look so clean, but the views were still amazing! We had a packed lunch that we gobbled up as we took in the distant vistas. On the way up to the summit, there were signs for different trails. If you like to hike, just make sure you have enough time, and bring some hiking shoes. I know if we go again, we will allow more time. We had to use the restroom, so we went into a large rock covered building--which is a museum. We asked the manager where the restrooms were, and he told us to cross the parking lot and go down the stairs. So, when you go up there, if you want to find the restrooms, they are across from the building. The stairway down to the restrooms is kind of steep. There is a handrail to hold on to. When you exit the ladies' restroom, be prepared to see an AMAZING view!!! Both the museum and the restrooms are not wheelchair accessible.

Ed U.

Well, it's not like the Von Trapp family scaling the Alps to escape the Nazis, but if Rolf gave them the keys to his Prius (surely he had one), then they could've come here after their escape. It even surprises me that I had never driven up to the summit of Mt. Diablo since I've been in the Bay Area since the Paleozoic era. It's the most prominent peak in the East Bay even though at 3,849 feet, it's not quite the highest point in the Bay Area. That would be Mt. Hamilton down in San Jose, but it's a visual touchpoint for a lot of travel vloggers on YouTube who have nothing else to say about this area. As an official state park, it costs $10 to enter by car unless you plan to show off and cycle up there. Don't do that on my account. I'll just buzz around you and hope you don't drop off the cliff. Just because I know Walnut Creek more than Danville, I took the North Gate entrance and then exited through the South Gate just to mix it up. Either way, it takes 45 minutes or so to get to the summit even when the long, winding two-lane road is relatively empty. You can stop for viewpoint stops, though I have to admit the Tri-Valley area wasn't that exciting visually. The scope of the panorama, however, was nothing short of impressive. Once at the summit, there was a decent-size parking lot, and if full, there was a spillover lot down a slight hill. I was pleasantly surprised that there was an actual visitors center with the expected taxidermy on display of the local fauna. You can place your foot on the actual mountain summit inside the building. There was also a newish looking observation deck and a vintage stone beacon tower where there's a Pearl Harbor memorial marker. There was even a gift shop where a helpful ranger answered any questions I had about the area. It would be a darn shame if you get back in your car before walking the easy-peasy Mary Bowerman Trail. It was named after a local botanist who saved a lot of the flora on the mountain during her lifetime. Less than a mile long and a big chunk covered by a wooden boardwalk, it looped around the peak just below the summit affording the 360-degree views you came for and a close-up look at a big rock called the Devil's Pulpit. If you take the South Gate route, make sure to make a stop at Rock City, a unique formation of huge rocks that provides picnic grounds and additional hiking opportunities to Sentinel Rock. You should allot at least four hours for your Mt. Diablo expedition if you don't want to careen down the mountain. RELATED - Up for a hike? Here's a collection of trails I've walked and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2OrC8nU

Chris L.

"96 Minutes going up, 56 Minutes going down. But it's not my Fault" This is one of the top attractions in the East Bay. There are a variety of ways to get to the summit. I run up via the summit Trail, but many bikers come up the road. I also see a lot of hikers on the trail. Most of them make it to the top. From the town of Diablo, it's 5 miles to the summit. There is a gift shop there, as well as exhibits explaining the history. I just skip the exhibits and buy some ice cream. Don't forget to say hello to Bruce, who often works the gift shop desk. He's the one who sells me the ice cream. There is a drinking faucet, as well as bathrooms at the Summit. There are plenty of spaces at the upper parking lot, but many more down below. But it's a quarter mile walk. There's also an interesting history about surveying. It turns out that Mount Diablo is an important point in surveying. Today I ran into a park ranger at the gift shop. He explained how they bring helicopters in to rescue hurt hikers. They lower a basket from the helicopter and bring you up in a funny suit. Don't let that be you! Today, I was a few minutes slower getting up to the summit. But it's not my fault! I was recovering from broken ribs and that slowed me down a little bit. I'm just glad they didn't have to bring the helicopter in for me. That would be so unmanly.

Navin K.

Mount Diablo has been on our bucket list for a long time, and we finally made the drive up this morning, the day before the kids go back to school after over a year of home schooling. The drive from Pleasanton to the base of Mount Diablo was easy, but as we started our climb, I had to drive slowly and carefully as we were in the lane on the edge of the mountain, and there was no guardrail. More importantly, this is a prime route for Bay Area bicyclists - I had to cautiously overtake those who were climbing slowly, while keeping an eye out for others who were careening down at breakneck speed. Once at the top, we used the restrooms (smelly but serviceable) and stopped by the visitors center to pick up maps and buy a few souvenirs - a patch for my safari vest, a couple of baseball caps, and a giant stuffed rattlesnake to adorn our youngest one's bedroom (she plans to place it under her bed when the cleaning ladies visit next week). We wanted to do a short non-strenuous hike, and the ranger recommended the mile-long Mary Bowerman trail, which starts just below the summit and goes all the way around. This was a good choice as it was flat, but it is not for the faint of heart, as more than half of it is narrow and unpaved, with very few places for a shady rest. We enjoyed it nevertheless, stopping by each of the 14 markers and reading about the unique plants and geology of the mountain from the trail brochure, which was very educational. The drive down the mountain was easier as our lane mostly hugged the side of the mountain, and the bicyclists were going down on our side of the road as fast we were! We arrived home dusty, tired and happy! We will be back during tarantula hatching season!

Ziad A.

Great view spot from the top of the east bay. Definitely Recommend going if you live in the bay. It gets really cold outside so dress warmly and get ready to take photos. They have plenty of hiking trails and biking trails and walking trails as well. Long drive up and slow so def make advantage of the park. $10 entry fee and also download google maps offline of the place

Jessica P.

Mt. Diablo is a must for anyone living or visiting the area. You will enter a whole different world by the time you reach the summit. The visitors center is welcoming and the staff are friendly and full of information. You can see so far in so many directions. There are firefly's, tarantulas, Conor's, wild pigs, mountain lions, on and on. There are bicyclist, including my dentist, that ride to the top. AMAZING! There are a amateur astronomers who meet at night at the top when there's a full moon. It even snows at Mt. Diablo. If you want to step outside the Bay Area and into another world My. Diablo is the place for you. -J.Porter

Matthew H.

Beautiful day at rock city. Very nice breeze and not very many people compared to many on weekends !Would have taken more photos but sadly phone ran out of juice! The drive is was nice takes about 15 mins from the start from Diablo to get too the entrance gate which will cost 10 $ to enter which is fine since this will go to salaries and up keep of park. Lots of rocks to climb and walk on and have the feeing you are on the top of the world! Will visit again!

Ria N.

Entrance fee $10, they have a restroom.. 20min zizig drive before the summit. Overall it's peaceful scenic drive.

Vinod A.

Mt Diablo Sumit at a height of 3849 feet has got a lot of history around seismic and volcanic activity. It's Cold and windy in winter so please Dress appropriately to enjoy the summit views. We wanted to see snow in BayArea and with recent winter there was snow at the summit. With nice California sunny weather, most of the snow had melted away ;( . There was some at mount mary trail mt diablo state park. this is not far from summit and has got amazing view of Richmond The Park entrance fee is $10 per vehicle. Parking at the summit is limited but there is bigger parking space before the summit. But worth the drive ... amazing views of the bay. On a nice clear sky, you can have a view of 80 miles around the summit. Evening sunset views are the prettiest. Mt Diablo people come for training for the Yosemite half dome hike. Lots of bikers on the way. The visitors center has a mini Exhibit that closes at 4.00 pm

Dianna I.

Came here on a Sunday at 12pm and it wasn't extremely busy but as we were leaving it did get a little more packed. I've lived an hour away for 35+ years and have always seen this mountain in the distance in the sunset and it looked so big but coming here and actually being at the summit it doesn't give you the euphoric experience you might be hoping for. Don't get me wrong, I love all nature regardless of aesthetics, just letting others know so they're not disappointed. The area is more like the foothills. This is still a beautiful place for hikes and picnics. There are several picnic nooks along the roads leading up to the summit that you might miss if you don't pay attention because they are nestled in the trees off the side of the hill. And plenty of restrooms off to the side if you missed the big building of restrooms near the South Gate entrance. **PLEASE READ** Multiple signs are posted about sharing the road and NOT passing cyclists. Unfortunately someone did pass from what I'm assuming was caused by someone doing this exact thing (a memorial bike was posted along the side of the road). I can't stress this enough...these roads are narrow and these cyclists are going as fast as they can up a steep incline...be patient, relax and enjoy the views as you travel in your car. When my son and I were headed up we were not in a rush and weren't bothered at all. One of the cyclists waved us along as if it were safe to pass, which I can appreciate, however, as I was slowly moving around him another cyclist was coming downhill around the corner! Luckily I trusted my instincts and wasn't going too fast and proceeded with caution. I was able to get back behind the cyclist allowing the other guy to come around the corner. DO NOT TRUST THE WAVE ALLOWING YOU TO PASS. Only go if YOU have a clear line of sight. Otherwise, like I said, enjoy the views. It's not worth the risk. There is a post on one of the trails with a sign that asks you to place your phone in the bracket to upload a pic to track the progress from the Morgan fire. Please do this if you have social media! It allows ppl to keep tabs on the area to see how far along recovery has come. You're up there anyway, might as well help the cause :)

Melanie B.

Mt. Diablo is as beautiful as ever. I had actually put off visiting the summit for some time because I somehow made the drive out to be scary in my head. Totally wasn't. I had hiked on various trails around Mt. Diablo's base starting from Clayton/Walnut Creek in the past. I'd even attempted to drive up Mt. Diablo with my family when I was in the 3rd grade. It's always been my view from my backyard in pretty much every house I've lived in growing up. And one of my favorite sites to see when I exit the freeway coming home. Mt. Diablo is a constant in a world of change. It's always so picturesque with the sun setting behind it. Or the clouds closing in on it. The view never looks the same, so it can never get old. After admiring it from afar for over 20 years, I finally made a quick trip the same week SIP ordinances were put in place (mid-March). The hills surrounding Mt. Diablo were still a lush green. It had rained the day before and there was still some icy snow left on the ground, but the sun came out to play the same day we decided to go. The visitor center was closed, parking was free, and not many people had the same idea as us. It was great to take in the panoramic views of the east bay and take in the fresh air at a higher elevation. The drive isn't long at all, completely safe, and pretty fun to do in a regular sized car. There are many stops along the road that you can make for great photos. I hope to return and try rock city or hike...whenever Bay Area air quality is back to healthy.