Wander Among the Mistletoe
Hike Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park in the East Bay
This 2.7-mile loop through the East Bay’s Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park is brimming with a holiday staple: mistletoe. Start from the Foothill Staging Area, and head up the Oak Tree Trail, climbing past ancient oaks surrounded by grassland.
Get onto Sycamore Grove Trail and climb until reaching the singletrack Meadow Pond Trail. Traversing the hillside, stop at the giant oak that grew bench-like branches into the ground to help support its enormous weight. Hills gallop across the horizon, decked with oaks and cows.
After almost a mile on the Meadow Pond Trail, meet up with the Woodland Trail and switchback through mistletoe-covered oak trees. It's easily spotted in oaks with no leaves and looks like a green bush growing among the branches.
The Foothill Staging Area is located on Foothill Rd. Dog-friendly!
