All Stories from East Bay

• 

  Tombstones and Tarantulas

  Forget black cats; a randy tarantula crossing your path can really get your heart racing. So can spirits in a cemetery! Visit Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve and learn about these misunderstood spiders, plus pay a visit to the Rose Hill Cemetery, where ghosts are said to exist.  

  View
• 

  Biking the Best of Livermore Valley

  A perfect day is just a bike ride away in Livermore Valley. From wine pours and beer tastings to BMX courses to sandy beaches, it all goes down smooth on two wheels with this 13-mile hidden gem of a loop through Livermore and Pleasanton.

  View
• 

  Oh, Brother!

  Spending the night on a tiny island in the Bay? Intriguing. Spending the night in a lighthouse perched on that island? Sound the foghorn! East Brother Light Station Bed & Breakfast sits on a small patch of land in the strait that separates San Francisco and San Pablo Bays.

  View
• 

  Sippin’ on the Dock of the Bay

  Definition of a relaxing summer day? Sipping bubbly and sampling wines right on the bay! Riggers Loft is a hidden gem located in the historic Richmond Shipyard.

  View
• 

  Keller Hike-in

  Hike in to Keller Beach Park in the East Bay on this this 3.5-mile adventure through Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline.

  View
• 

  Feather in Your Cap!

  Sure, the main summit of Mount Diablo offers one of the best views in the state, but if you’d rather hike than drive to a summit, lace up your boots for the mountain’s spectacular—and less-traveled—Eagle Peak.

  View
• 

  Diamonds of Diablo

  With its looming peak and devilish name, it’s hard to imagine Mount Diablo having a softer side. But winter’s rains bring an unexpected boon: four watery cascades spill off the mountain’s northern flank.

  View
• 
  Sponsored

  The Holiday Spirit of San Ramon

  From a holiday ice rink and mistletoe hikes to outdoor fire pits for cozy winter nights, here’s your San Ramon holiday getaway guide

  View
• 
  Sponsored

  Unexpected Hiking Vacation

  Ready for a local hiking vacation—one that’s unexpected, hassle-free, and comes with bonuses like spas and delicious nearby dining?

  View
• 
  Sponsored

  Secrets of San Ramon

  Sometimes the best secrets are right under your nose, or at least where you might not be looking! San Ramon is close enough to travel without hassle yet takes you far from the daily grind.

  View
• 

  Plateau Perfection

  Set deep in the East Bay hills, Vargas Plateau Regional Park is a secluded grassland that’s home to several endangered and threatened species. Hike a 4-mile loop of the Bay Area Ridge Trail here.

  View
• 

  Bay Biking

  Cesar Chavez Park is a well-loved East Bay Regional Park with sweeping views of San Francisco Bay, and the newly opened Brickyard Cove at McLaughlin Eastshore State Park makes a terrific connection for a glorious bay-side trail pedal.

  View
• 

  Carr Ranch

  Can’t decide between an epic hike or a relaxing nature walk? The 8.3-mile Carr Ranch Trail loop in the East Bay’s Contra Costa County is the perfect hike for rugged adventurers with a soft side.

  View
• 

  Flashy Fernandez

  Green rolling hills studded in oak trees, wildflowers like poppies, lupine, and the Mount Diablo sunflower—exclusive to Contra Costa County: the landscape at Fernandez Ranch in Martinez is a highlight reel of wildlife, wildflowers, and wowing panoramas. Try this 6-mile hike or bike ride.

  View
• 

  The Mission is Mission

  Thousands of hikers and bikers come to test their mettle against Mission Peak and pose with the famous “Mission Peeker” summit pole. This 6-mile out-and-back route happens to be one of the best sunset hikes in the Bay Area.

  View
• 

  Loop Less Traveled

  The East Bay has some of the Bay Area’s most popular mountains, and Monument Peak shares the gorgeous views with fewer people on the trail. Hike this 8.7-mile loop to the summit and it might just be you, and the cows!

  View
• 

  Summit Up

  This 5-mile out-and-back hike on Mount Diablo's Summit Trail is an ideal choice for hikers who want to pack good views into a moderate hike.

  View
• 

  Berkeley's Backyard Waterfall

  Tucked among the hillside homes of North Berkeley is a winding stairway that leads to the “secret” entrance of a Narnia-like canyon with a 40-foot waterfall.

  View
• 

  Wide-Open Wildcat

  Sure, peak-bagging hikes are great, but ridge trails? Well, those might be the best. The East Bay’s Wildcat Canyon Regional Park is home to a fantastic ridgetop rolling trail.

  View
• 

  Footloose in the Foothills

  In spring, Diablo Foothills Regional Park bursts with green rolling hills, wildflowers, and some of the lushest views of Mount Diablo itself. Go on an 8-mile loop among this verdant scenery.

  View