CAMPBELL, CALIFORNIA - JULY 22: A jogger crosses a bridge on the Los Gatos Creek Trail in Campbell, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA - JULY 22: Deer graze off of the Los Gatos Creek Trail just north of the Lexington Reservoir County Park in Los Gatos, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA - JULY 22: Bicyclist head toward downtown Los Gatos on the Los Gatos Creek Trail just north of the Lexington Reservoir County Park in Los Gatos, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
RICHMOND, CA - JULY 21: Dog walker Frances Gandy, of Ridgeline Trail Hikes & Pet Care, walks with Miss Ruby and other dogs at Point Isabel Shoreline in Richmond, Calif., on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
RICHMOND, CA - JULY 21: People take in views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the bay while hiking at Point Isabel Shoreline in Richmond, Calif., on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
RICHMOND, CA - JULY 21: People stop for food and beverages after hiking with their dogs at the Sit & Stay Cafe at Point Isabel Shoreline in Richmond, Calif., on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
RICHMOND, CA - JULY 21: People hike with their dogs at Point Isabel Shoreline in Richmond, Calif., on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
RICHMOND, CA - JULY 21: People hike with their dogs at Point Isabel Shoreline in Richmond, Calif., on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
DANVILLE, CA - July 22: People travel down the Iron Horse Trail in Danville, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. The 32-mile long trail whines through some of the most picturesque greenbelts in the San Ramon Valley. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)
DANVILLE, CA - July 22: People walk on a bridge on the Iron Horse Trail in Alamo, Calif., on Thursday, July 22, 2020. The 32-mile long trail whines through some of the most picturesque greenbelts in the San Ramon Valley. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)
DANVILLE, CA - July 22: A variety of animal figures are on display in the yard of the home on the Iron Horse Trail in Alamo, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. The 32-mile long trail whines through some of the most picturesque greenbelts in the San Ramon Valley. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)
DANVILLE, CA - July 22: Blooms from a tree on the Iron Horse Trail are seen as a cyclist bikes along the popular trail in Danville, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. The 32-mile long trail whines through some of the most picturesque greenbelts in the San Ramon Valley. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)
BERKELEY, CA - JULY 22: A man and his dog climb a steep hillside set of stairs on the Cedar Path near La Loma Avenue on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, in Berkeley, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
BERKELEY, CA - JULY 22: The view looking west from the Cedar Path near La Loma Avenue is photographed on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, in Berkeley, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
BERKELEY, CA - JULY 22: Visitors climb a set of stairs at the Berkeley Rose Garden on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, in Berkeley, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
BERKELEY, CA - JULY 22: Stairs at the Berkeley Rose Garden are photographed on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, in Berkeley, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
Editor’s note: Recent wildfires and coronavirus restrictions have resulted in new rules and closures at many Bay Area parks and attractions. Before you go, be sure to check whether your intended destination is still accessible and open to travelers.
The Bay Area is blessed with endless opportunities to discover a new trail, park or open space. And surprisingly, you don’t have to venture far to enjoy the recreation and solace that comes from hitting the trail. Urban hikes are convenient, easily accessible and often closer to home than you realize.
No matter where you live, from San Jose to Pleasanton or Richmond, there’s a shoreline, paved trail or path waiting to greet you and offer a bit of respite from the couch. Here are six we love, with a nearby spot for takeout or patio dining.
Berkeley Steps
Exploring the historic staircases and paths that snake up and around the Berkeley hills may be the ultimate experience in urban discovery. You’ll get your heart rate up while climbing often-hidden steps that meander near forest-edged creeks and offer views of eclectic architecture, private gardens and public landmarks, including the Rose Garden and Lake Anza. Every so often, you’ll catch expansive views of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.
BERKELEY, CA - JULY 22: A man and his dog climb a steep hillside set of stairs on the Cedar Path near La Loma Avenue on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, in Berkeley, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
BERKELEY, CA - JULY 22: Stairs at the Berkeley Rose Garden are photographed on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, in Berkeley, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
BERKELEY, CA - JULY 22: The cities of Berkeley and Oakland are seen from the Cedar Path near La Loma Avenue on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, in Berkeley, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
BERKELEY, CA - JULY 22: A visitor sits on a set of stairs and reads a book at the Berkeley Rose Garden on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, in Berkeley, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
BERKELEY, CA - JULY 22: A child looks down a flight of stairs at the Berkeley Rose Garden on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, in Berkeley, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
BERKELEY, CA - JULY 22: Visitors climb a set of stairs at the Berkeley Rose Garden on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, in Berkeley, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
BERKELEY, CA - JULY 22: The view looking west from the Cedar Path near La Loma Avenue is photographed on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, in Berkeley, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
BERKELEY, CA - JULY 22: A set of stairs along Euclid Avenue is photographed on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, in Berkeley, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
BERKELEY, CA - JULY 22: Rob Wrenn walks down a set of stairs on the El Mirador Path near Euclid Avenue on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, in Berkeley, Calif. Wrenn is walking the pathways of Berkeley as a project since canceling travel trips due to the COVID-19 virus. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
BERKELEY, CA - JULY 22: Stairs at the Berkeley Rose Garden are photographed on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, in Berkeley, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
BERKELEY, CA - JULY 22: Rob Wrenn holds a map of pathways with a check list on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, in Berkeley, Calif. Wrenn is walking the pathways of Berkeley as a project since canceling travel trips due to the COVID-19 virus. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
BERKELEY, CA - JULY 22: A stairwell along Euclid Avenue is photographed on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, in Berkeley, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
BERKELEY, CA - JULY 22: The view looking west from the Cedar Path near La Loma Avenue is photographed on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, in Berkeley, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
Choose a staircase or two, or get ambitious and follow one route that travels more than 14 miles and includes 71 staircases during its 3,825-foot ascent.
Live Oak Park on Shattuck Avenue makes a great starting point for a hike up Berryman Path to the La Loma Steps, with their distinctive brick paving, pergola and stone walls, built in the early 1900s to give residents easy pedestrian access to a streetcar line.
Grab a bite: Some of Berkeley’s most beloved foodie institutions are open for take-out right now. It’s worth the wait to pick up bread and artisanal cheese (and half-baked pizzas to finish at home) from The Cheeseboard Collective at 1504 Shattuck Ave.; https://cheeseboardcollective.coop. Or pick up latkes, blintzes and generous pastrami sandwiches at Saul’s at 1475 Shattuck Ave.; www.saulsdeli.com.
Details: You’ll find a list of more than 130 staircases and paths, maps and self-guided hikes at www.berkeleypaths.org.
Iron Horse Regional Trail, Concord to Pleasanton
This mostly paved, 32-mile trail crosses seven cities in two counties, beginning in Concord near Highway 4 and extending to the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station and on to Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area. The trail follows the Southern Pacific Railroad right-of-way — hence the Iron Horse name — that was established in 1891 and abandoned in 1978, passing through residential and shopping areas, under the 680 freeway and into some of the San Ramon Valley’s most picturesque greenbelt.
DANVILLE, CA - July 22: People travel down the Iron Horse Trail in Danville, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. The 32-mile long trail whines through some of the most picturesque greenbelts in the San Ramon Valley. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)
DANVILLE, CA - July 22: Roni Barger, of Danville, walks her dogs Maggie and Kate on the Iron Horse Trail in Danville, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. The 32-mile long trail whines through some of the most picturesque greenbelts in the San Ramon Valley. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)
DANVILLE, CA - July 22: People walk on a bridge on the Iron Horse Trail in Alamo, Calif., on Thursday, July 22, 2020. The 32-mile long trail whines through some of the most picturesque greenbelts in the San Ramon Valley. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)
DANVILLE, CA - July 22: Dean Cutbush, of Alamo, and his two 7-year old twin daughters Bethany and Alexa look at animals and other figures on display in the yard of the home on the Iron Horse Trail in Alamo, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. The 32-mile long trail whines through some of the most picturesque greenbelts in the San Ramon Valley. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)
DANVILLE, CA - July 22: Blooms from a flowering tree are photographed on the Iron Horse Trail in Danville, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. The 32-mile long trail whines through some of the most picturesque greenbelts in the San Ramon Valley. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)
DANVILLE, CA - July 22: A variety of animal figures are on display in the yard of the home on the Iron Horse Trail in Alamo, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. The 32-mile long trail whines through some of the most picturesque greenbelts in the San Ramon Valley. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)
DANVILLE, CA - July 22: Blooms from a tree on the Iron Horse Trail are seen as a cyclist bikes along the popular trail in Danville, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. The 32-mile long trail whines through some of the most picturesque greenbelts in the San Ramon Valley. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)
DANVILLE, CA - July 22: Chris Scott, of Danville, rides his bike on the Iron Horse Trail in Alamo, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. The 32-mile long trail whines through some of the most picturesque greenbelts in the San Ramon Valley. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)
People travel down the Iron Horse Trail in Danville, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)
Hop on at the Rudgear Road Park & Ride, near Walnut Creek’s Whole Foods, and you’ll see a mix of hikers, cyclists and the occasional equestrian sharing the wide trail. With the exception of a few gentle slopes and turns, the Iron Horse Trail is flat and straight, making it a favorite with dog walkers and families, down to the youngest tricycle riders. While the trail is never packed, it does tend to be busier on weekends and right after work — say, 5 to 7 p.m. — during the week.
Grab a bite: Fuel up with Hawaiian poke (or cool off with apres-hike Dole Whip) at Walnut Creek’s Pokeatery, 1345 Newell Ave.; www.pokeatery.com. We also love the specialty salads and pizzas at Blue Line Pizza, which is open for outdoor dining at 550 Hartz Ave. in Danville; https://bluelinepizza.com.
Details: The trail has multiple access points, including Pleasant Hill BART, Walnut Creek’s Civic Park, Alamo Square shopping center and downtown Danville; www.ebparks.org/parks/trails/iron_horse
Stanford Dish Loop, Palo Alto
Walking “The Dish” is a tradition for Stanford students and tech workers alike. The 3.3-mile loop is minutes away from some of Silicon Valley’s most powerful companies and just across the street from the elite university, but it feels worlds removed from the hustle and bustle.
The views from the foothills are dramatic, but what really demands your attention is the Dish itself, a 150-foot-wide radio telescope built in 1961 by the Stanford Research Institute. The Stanford Dish reopened last month with safety protocols that include making the trail a one-way, counter-clockwise loop to assist social distancing.
Grab a bite: Head down to California Avenue afterward for shawarma and baba ghanoush at longtime favorite Mediterranean Wraps, 433 S. California Ave.; mediterraneanwraps.com. Prefer breakfast? Try the pancakes at Joanie’s Cafe, 405 California Ave.; joaniescafepaloalto.com.
Details: The trail entrance is on Junipero Serra Boulevard at Stanford Avenue; dish.stanford.edu.
Point Isabel Regional Shoreline, Richmond
This expansive shoreline is touted as the nation’s largest off-leash dog park — with stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin County and Brooks Island to boot. You’ll find half of the park, a 23-acre swath with rolling hills and paved, looping paths at the west end of Central Avenue, and another 20 acres — North Point Isabel — across the Hoffman Channel.
RICHMOND, CA - JULY 21: People hike with their dogs at Point Isabel Shoreline in Richmond, Calif., on Tuesday July 21, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
RICHMOND, CA - JULY 21: Dogs romp with each other at Point Isabel Shoreline in Richmond, Calif., on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
RICHMOND, CA - JULY 21: Dog walker Frances Gandy, of Ridgeline Trail Hikes & Pet Care, left, walks with Miss Ruby and other dogs at Point Isabel Shoreline as they greet other walkers in Richmond, Calif., on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
RICHMOND, CA - JULY 21: People take their dogs to get a bath Mudpuppy's Tub & Scrub at Point Isabel Shoreline in Richmond, Calif., on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
RICHMOND, CA - JULY 21: People hike with their dogs at Point Isabel Shoreline in Richmond, Calif., on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
RICHMOND, CA - JULY 21: Employee Catherine Gomez grabs supplies as she gives a dog a bath Mudpuppy's Tub & Scrub at Point Isabel Shoreline in Richmond, Calif., on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
RICHMOND, CA - JULY 21: Employee Catherine Gomez gives Baby a bath Mudpuppy's Tub & Scrub at Point Isabel Shoreline in Richmond, Calif., on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
RICHMOND, CA - JULY 21: People take in views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the bay while hiking at Point Isabel Shoreline in Richmond, Calif., on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
RICHMOND, CA - JULY 21: Jay Villamor orders a beverage at the Sit & Stay Cafe at Point Isabel Shoreline in Richmond, Calif., on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
RICHMOND, CA - JULY 21: People hike with their dogs at Point Isabel Shoreline in Richmond, Calif., on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
RICHMOND, CA - JULY 21: People hike with their dogs at Point Isabel Shoreline in Richmond, Calif., on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Let your dog sniff everything in sight while you get your steps in, birdwatch and check out the kite boarders playing in the wind. Point Isabel is an official San Francisco Bay Water Trail trailhead, making it a popular spot for everything from kayaks to SUP.
After your furry sidekick has played in every inch of mud, hand him over to Mudpuppy’s Tub & Scrub (1 Isabel Street, open Thursday-Tuesday) for a wash and groom while you grab a to-go treat — perhaps a veggie bagel or espresso — from The Sit & Stay Cafe next door.
Grab a bite: Head for East Richmond for a taste of the city’s epic Tijuana-style Mexican food to-go — handmade tortillas, flame-grilled meats and guacamole-topped tacos — at Tacos El Tucán, 12505 San Pablo Ave.; www.tacoseltucan.com
Los Gatos Creek Trail, San Jose to Los Gatos
This 11-mile scenic trail bustles on warm weekends. Cyclists and runners hit the pathway to work up a sweat, while leisurely strollers amble along, pausing to watch the water ripple along gorgeous Los Gatos Creek.
CAMPBELL, CALIFORNIA - JULY 22: A jogger crosses a bridge on the Los Gatos Creek Trail in Campbell, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA - JULY 22: People gather at Oak Meadow Park near the Los Gatos Creek Trail in Los Gatos, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA - JULY 22: Bicyclist head toward downtown Los Gatos on the Los Gatos Creek Trail just north of the Lexington Reservoir County Park in Los Gatos, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA - JULY 22: A man fishes at Vasona Lake County Park near the Los Gatos Creek Trail in Los Gatos, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA - JULY 22: People use the Los Gatos Creek Trail just north of the Lexington Reservoir County Park in Los Gatos, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA - JULY 22: Deer graze off of the Los Gatos Creek Trail just north of the Lexington Reservoir County Park in Los Gatos, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
CAMPBELL, CALIFORNIA - JULY 22: People utilize the Los Gatos Creek Trail in Campbell, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
(Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA - JULY 22: People use a bridge at Vasona Lake County Park near the Los Gatos Creek Trail in Los Gatos, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA - JULY 22: The view of Los Gatos Creek from Vasona Lake County Park on the Los Gatos Creek Trail in Los Gatos, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA - JULY 22: A goose sleeps at Vasona Lake County Park near the Los Gatos Creek Trail in Los Gatos, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA - JULY 22: Geese wander at Vasona Lake County Park near the Los Gatos Creek Trail in Los Gatos, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA - JULY 22: A bicyclist heads north towards downtown Los Gatos along the Los Gatos Creek Trail just north of the Lexington Reservoir County Park in Los Gatos, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA - JULY 22: People walk their dog as deer graze just off of the Los Gatos Creek Trail just north of the Lexington Reservoir County Park in Los Gatos, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA - JULY 22: A man hikes north towards downtown Los Gatos along the Los Gatos Creek Trail just north of the Lexington Reservoir County Park in Los Gatos, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA - JULY 22: A man fishes at Vasona Lake County Park near the Los Gatos Creek Trail in Los Gatos, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA - JULY 22: A deer stands just off of the Los Gatos Creek Trail just north of the Lexington Reservoir County Park in Los Gatos, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA - JULY 22: A train crossing for Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad at Vasona Lake County Park on the Los Gatos Creek Trail in Los Gatos, Calif., on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
The main portion of the trail is a 9.3-mile stretch that runs from San Jose’s Meridian Avenue to the hills above Los Gatos. You’ll pass through some of the South Bay’s loveliest parks – including Vasona Lake, Oak Meadow and Los Gatos Creek – as you head into downtown Los Gatos. From there, you’ll leave the paved portion of the trail behind as the hike grows more strenuous on its way to Lexington Reservoir.
Prefer to stick to San Jose? A second portion of the trail branches off about a mile from the Meridian Avenue entrance at Lonus Street and runs along the creek for approximately two miles before ending at San Carlos Street.
Grab a bite: Los Gatos’ beloved Happy Hound is the most popular place in town for burgers, hot dogs and huge orders of fries; 15899 Los Gatos Blvd., happyhoundrestaurant.business.site. Or reserve a table on the patio and enjoy some upscale comfort food at Flights Restaurant by Alex Hult, which has locations in Campbell and Los Gatos; ca.flightsrestaurants.com. And if you’re sticking to San Jose, check out Anchors Fish & Chips & Seafood Grill; anchorsfish.com.
Details: The trail’s multiple access points include Vasona Lake, Los Gatos Creek, Oak Meadow and Campbell parks, as well as Meridian Avenue near Liebelt Court. Some access points have parking lots, while others have street parking. Find maps at www.losgatosca.gov/907/Los-Gatos-Creek-Trail.
Sycamore Grove Park, Livermore
September is a particularly lovely time to visit this 847-acre open space park nestled in the hills of Livermore Valley’s wine country. The leaves on the park’s stately namesake trees and neighboring vineyards start to turn gold and red, as the region’s wineries prepare for harvest.
Starting at the Wetmore Road entrance, a network of mostly flat trails passes through a native garden and nature loop or winds through the sycamores, a popular spot for engagement photos, as well as hide-and-seek. A paved two-mile trail follows Arroyo del Valle south to the Arroyo Road entrance, near the Wente Vineyards gate. Another 2.6-mile loop takes visitors by the ruins of the Olivina Winery, built in the 1880s. And signage along the way offers insights into the park’s flora, wildlife and history.
Grab a bite: This is prime wine country. Make reservations for outdoor wine and food pairings at Dante Robere Vineyards, where tapas and wood-fired pizza are offered on select weekends: 1200 Wetmore Road, www.danterobere.com. Or make those rezzies for charcuterie and wine flights at Las Positas Vineyards, 1828 Wetmore Road; www.laspositasvineyards.com.
Details: Find the park’s parking lot ($5), picnic tables and restrooms at the Wetmore and Arroyo road entrances at both ends of the park; www.larpd.org/sycamore-grove-park.