Thanksgiving’s on the way. Turkey, TV, Trivial Pursuit, and … how about a holiday hike? Gather the crew for some fresh air, big views, and good old-fashioned exercise. 
Here's a nice Thanksgiving walk that could easily become a new tradition. Way up in the Oakland Hills, Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve offers one of the East Bay's most 
rewarding hikes, the Round Top Loop Trail. This wide and exposed 1.5-mile trail (roundtrip) encircles an old volcano, one of the highest peaks in the Oakland Hills. Bring family, bring friends, bring Sparky; this gentle hike is made for easy walking, talking, and snapping group photos in front of awesome this-is-why-we-live-here views. Designate someone to keep a keen eye out, though, because golden eagles are seen in these parts. On the east side, check out the circular labyrinth from the overlook, and if you're feeling adventurous, scurry down to get dizzy wandering its path. (Be forewarned—you may start to feel like a dog chasing its tail.) Finish the Round Top loop, then head back home for that second (or third) helping of turkey. Yeah, you've earned that pumpkin pie too. BONUS: Want to take on another short jaunt? Just .25-mile down Skyline Boulevard is Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve. Make a 2-mile loop on the shaded Huckleberry Nature Path, famed for its abundant native plants.
Check out the Sibley Regional Park Preserve website for directions. The Round Top Loop trailhead is just left of the restrooms (take the dirt trail rather than the road). Pick up a map at the trailhead. Hike the Round Top Trail in a clockwise direction. Go .25 mile until you reach the water tank and go left, continuing on the Round Top Trail. When the trail intersects with the Volcanic Trail, go right to stay on the Round Top Trail. Follow the trail signs all the way back to the parking lot. Dog-friendly!
Hundred-foot-redwoods, flowing creeks, yellow-tinged sycamores, big views of the Pacific–all these are on the Thanksgiving menu at Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, just east of Half Moon Bay. 
This rugged 3,000-acre preserve was established with the help of a multi-million dollar gift from the Save the Redwoods League. Start on the Purisima Creek Trail under a multicolored canopy of redwoods and sycamores, hiking along the creek past lush ferns and luminous big-leaf maples. If you're looking for an easy out-and-back hike, just follow the creek for a mile or two and then turn around. If you prefer a 7-mile grand tour with a series of ups and downs, continue along the Purisima Creek Trail, then veer up Soda Gulch and down Harkins Ridge trails. Soda Gulch Trail is a sweet singletrack cut into the side of a lush canyon; at one picturesque point it crosses a wooden bridge. Enjoy the change of scenery as you move from dense redwood forest to an open ridge that reveals miles of galloping hills all the way to the ocean. After completing this hike, you'll have bragging rights for the evening—even if you lose that game of Trivial Pursuit. Park at the western entrance of the preserve on Higgins Purisima Road, off of Hwy 1, east of Half Moon Bay. For directions go to the Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve website. Pick up a map at the trailhead. Be sure to have shoes with good traction for the hike down Harkins Ridge Trail. No dogs.
A funny thing happens in San Francisco every Thanksgiving: It gets really quiet. (Where does everyone go?) Take advantage of this serene time in the city by combining two classic hilltop parks to make a 
2-mile urban hike with bold, beautiful views. The starting point is Buena Vista Park on Haight Street. It's San Francisco's oldest park, and it's much less crowded than neighboring Golden Gate Park. Take any of the many staircases up (and up) to the viewpoint—a large grassy knoll opening out to a rush of city views, Marin peaks, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Drop down the backside and walk along quiet Upper Terrace Street, admiring the attention to detail in the Victorian architecture. Loop back on 17th Street and Roosevelt Way, which sets you on the route to Corona Heights Park, a rocky outcropping that offers an urban panorama (pictured). Lounge on the rocks and have a snack, then head down and continue on Roosevelt Way back to Buena Vista Park. Hike on, you lucky city slicker!Buena Vista Park borders Haight St. between Central Ave. and Baker St. Once you're at the top of Buena Vista Park, descend the backside by veering left on a paved trail at the map/kiosk just below the top. This drops you off at Upper Terrace. Follow this a few blocks, and take the pedestrian walkway (next to 353 Upper Terrace) down to 17th St.; go left. Make a left onto Roosevelt Way and follow this all the way to Corona Heights Park, veering right at Loma Vista. The Corona Heights Park entrance has a sign for Randall Museum. Continue on Roosevelt Way, make a left at Park Hill, and you're back at Buena Vista Park. Here's a map of the area. Dog-friendly!
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