This stunning hike takes you atop a scenic ridge with a view of both San Francisco and Mount Diablo before dipping into the forest.
Despite the area’s proximity to the cities of Oakland and Berkeley, Tilden Park is filled with wildlife large and small, including coyotes, bobcats, and red-tailed hawks. It is a true refuge for both wildlife and the people who come out to enjoy all this park has to offer.
Charles Lee Tilden Regional Park is a natural refuge, nestled in the East Bay. Photo by Mary Nagle
Distance: 4.3 miles
Elevation gain: 990 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Travel time: 2.5 to four hours
Trail surface: Fire roads and single-track trails; can be modified to be only on fire roads
Best seasons: Winter and spring
Managing agency: East Bay Regional Park District
Address: Tilden Regional Park – Quarry Picnic Site Parking Lot, Quarry Trail, Kensington, CA
Trailhead location: Quarry Picnic Site
Parking: No fee
Description:
As you hike along Seaview Trail, you’ll also be traveling along a section of the East Bay Skyline National Recreational Trail and the Bay Area Ridge Trail, two far longer routes that provide adventures that connect numerous parks.
If you haven’t been here before, or if you simply enjoy a good overlook, make sure to stop at the benches and viewpoints to take in the expansive panoramas of the Bay Area that this hike has to offer.
Briones Reservoir seen from the Seaview Trail. Photo by Mary Nagle
Look to the east and you’ll see much of the far East Bay, with Mount Diablo State Park in the distance. Turn your attention to the west and you’ll get a good look at some of the Bay Area’s cityscapes, including Oakland, Berkeley, and San Francisco.
Start the hike on Quarry Trail, then take the first left onto Seaview Trail, a fire road that will take you up onto the ridge. After a short trek uphill, you’ll be sauntering along the ridge with beautiful views to each side.
After about a mile and a half on the Seaview Trail, you’ll be able to continue by making a sharp left onto the Fenceline Trail.
The Seaview Trail has benches at several viewpoints on each side of the trail. This one faces towards Oakland and the Bay Bridge! Photo by Mary Nagle
The Fenceline Trail. Photo by Mary Nagle
Keep an eye out for the small-track path trail that diverges from the Seaview Trail, that’s the Fenceline Trail and it’s easy to miss.
As you travel along the Fenceline Trail, you’ll get some of the most expansive views on this hike, with Mount Diablo and San Pablo Reservoir clearly visible.
Once you get back to the point where the Fenceline Trail meets back with the Seaview Trail, head back on the Seaview Trail and turn left onto the Upper Big Springs Canyon Trail.
The Upper Big Springs Canyon Trail. Photo by Mary Nagle
From here, you’ll head downhill on a gentle slope through the forest. Stay on this path until you reach the clearing along South Park Drive, then head back uphill on the Lower Big Springs Canyon Trail.
Once the Lower Big Springs Canyon Trail and the Quarry Trail meet, turn left onto the Quarry Trail and stay there until you return to the Quarry Picnic Site, ending the loop.
The intersection of the Lower Big Springs Trail and the Quarry Trail. Photo by Mary Nagle
While you’re visiting Tilden Regional Park, we recommend checking out the nearby Regional Parks Botanic Garden, a lovely spot that takes you on a journey through California’s ecosystems in just a few acres.
Regional Parks Botanic Garden. Photos by Emily Sherwood and Laura Kindsvater
Want to explore more awesome hikes in the Bay Area and the Diablo Range? Check out our series of trail guides!
