From Taste of the Old West

In the shadow of Mt. Diablo lies the tiny town of Clayton, where an authentic cowboy saloon awaits your patronage. The Clayton Club Saloon—134 years young—is a rough-and-tumble throwback to the horse-and-buggy days, with cowboy boots worn by many a colorful character hanging in abundance from the ceiling. Belly up to the bar or shoot some pool. Earn extra style points by drinking a beer out of a cowboy boot (BYOB: bring your own boot). Locals and visitors mix it up at this historic watering hole and the folks are friendly. Leather taste buds included.

THIRST-BUILDER: Mt Diablo sets a dramatic backdrop for Clayton, with hiking trails literally starting from town. Pack your hiking boots and head out on the nearby waterfall loop trail. Back on the green slopes of Donner Canyon, the recent rains have made the creeks high and the waterfalls flowing.

Clayton Club Saloon, 6096 Main St., Clayton; 925-673-0440.

To reach the waterfalls loop trail: From Walnut Creek, take Ygnacio Valley Rd. 8 miles east to Clayton Rd. Stay on Clayton Rd., which turns into Marsh Creek Rd. (don't turn right at the first sign for Marsh Creek Rd.), until it intersects Regency Dr. Turn right onto Regency Dr. The trailhead is at the end of the road. Hike the Donner Canyon fire-road south. After about 1 mile, you'll come to the Meridian Ridge and Cardinet Oaks fire-road junction; turn right onto Meridian Ridge. After a few hundred feet, turn left onto the Middle Trail, which climbs up and connects to the Falls Trail. Continue on the Falls Trail, which ends at Cardinet Oaks. Turn left and take this back to the Donner Canyon fire-road. For a map of Mt. Diablo and more info, click here.