From Waterfall Trails to Delicious Ales

Concord Winter Adventures

02.21.2019

1) Grandest Picnic of Them All

Pair your lunch with one of the biggest views in the West! At 3,849 feet, Mount Diablo’s summit has a panorama of more than 200 miles of California landscape. Which is why the 6.5-mile Grand Loop trek around the East Bay’s tallest peak should be on your spring to-do list.

2) Six Waterfalls

Have you seen Mount Diablo’s cooler and splashier side? After a good rain, six scenic waterfalls encircle the mountain’s rugged northern canyons. Hike a 5-mile loop for the grand tour.

3) Bounties of Briones

Pump up your fat tires and get to Briones Regional Park for 35 miles of mountain bike trails. Winter and spring are ideal for lush green scenery and rainbows of popping wildflowers.

4) To-Do: Todos!

Named one of three Great Places in California by the American Planning Association, Todos Santos Plaza is 2.5 acres in downtown Concord. Kick back in the heart of the plaza—a beautiful park with picnic tables, benches, and a medley of trees (okay, there’s Wi-Fi, too!).

5) Craft Beer Trail

Several craft breweries make a nice addition to any outdoor excursion. Pick up a Beer Trail Passport and explore the alehouses along Concord’s new Beer Trail. Those who complete the whole thing (no purchase necessary) get a chance at a bonus prize!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Keough's Hot Springs

    Soaking Up History

    When you slide into the soothing water of Keough’s Hot Springs, you’re bathing in a piece of Owens Valley history.

    View
  2. woman hiking Buck Gulch Falls Novato

    Buck Wild!

    Tucked back beyond the residential ranch-style homes and golf courses of Novato in the North Bay is a wild and wondrous 30-foot waterfall that springs to life in the rainy season. Buck Gulch Falls in Novato’s Ignacio Valley Preserve is in peak flow right now, and it’s a short and Middle-earthy hike to reach it.

    View
  3. Grover Hot Springs

    State Park Soaker

    Set in an alpine meadow at 6,000 feet and surrounded by the 10,000-foot granite peaks of the Sierra, Grover Hot Springs State Park—just outside the town of Markleeville—has its very own hot springs.

    View

  4. Hike to New Lights

    For an enlightening late-day hike, catch the San Francisco skyline at sunset from high atop Ring Mountain in Tiburon. This 2-mile (round-trip) hike to Turtle Rock is a perfect late afternoon wander.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Redding Ironman Whiskeytown lake
    Sponsored

    New Year, New Goal: IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California

    2026 is off and running! And swimming. And biking. Don't get left behind! Commit to one of the upcoming year’s most exciting endurance events—IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California in Redding.

    View
  2. Woman swimming in Carson Hotsprings natural thermal pool

    Hot Springs, Naturally

    Thermal spring waters are famous for their curative, relaxing elements, and Reno Tahoe is filled with them! Sink into these amazing thermal respites for a wellness super soak.

    View

  3. O Enchanted Night!

    Prepare to be mesmerized! Holiday-season nights in Descanso Gardens are a magical interplay of lights and natural beauty that dazzle as you stroll through the Enchanted Forest of L

    View
  4. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

    View