Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline

Such a beautiful place to go for a walk/​hike. The views are majestic and terrific year round. I love sitting in the bluffs and watching the boats and ships in the straight and the trains at the bottoms rolling through. It’s my place to go when I need a break from the hustle and bustle of life and just need to detox from hectic.

It was a great hike. Not too many people taking advantage of it, which is always a bonus for me. Lot’s a scenic views, sunshine, and places to stop for picnic or to relax and take in the scenery. It is not difficult hike at all. Very minimal incline.

This is a beautiful newly opened trail. On a clear day the views are spectacular! Definitely will put it on my favorites for the future!

This park reminds me of that old western song, «Oh, give me land, lots of land, under sunny skies above, don’t fence me in.» Okay, there are fences here, but that’s to keep the cattle in their assigned location, not to keep us out. Our taxes pay for this land’s upkeep, so it belongs to us, and anyone can enjoy it if they have the legs for it.
It’s different from most of the East Bay Regional Parks. There are trees in the canyons and on the hillsides near the trailheads, but that’s all. It’s mostly the big wide open, and when you’re on top of a hill, there’s nothing to obstruct your view. Views of Martinez, Mt. Diablo, the Carquinez Straits, Benicia, and Briones. And the fire roads can get steep, so you get a good workout.
How do you get there? There are lots of trailheads: near the freeway behind John Muir’s house, in back of Alhambra High, Rankin Park, and two on Carquinez Scenic Drive, I may have missed a few. Very accessible, which unfortunately doesn’t mean that wheelchairs can do the trails. It looks like a place where the locals go to unwind after a day at the refinery or in the office. Good for groups, even better for a lone solitary hike.
My dream: at the last trailhead on Carquinez Scenic Drive before the road closes, a trail goes into a canyon, then a left turn goes steeply uphill. After a half-​mile hike, you come to an oak tree that offers a 200-​degree view of the strait. I would LOVE to go there with my hunny and bring a lunch with me, and we sit on a blanket under that tree and enjoy a picnic. Problem is, the trail is far too steep for her. But hopefully I just gave you an idea of where you can go with *your* hunny.
Come on out and stay a while.