RESERVATIONS NOT REQUIRED

Explore less-traveled territory through first and second growth redwoods in this hidden gem of a park near La Honda.

This outing is co-listed with the Sierra Club hiking section.

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Ring Mountain Open SpaceAny parcelA lot, or contiguous group of lots, in single ownership or under single control, usually considered a unit for purposes of development. or area of land or water that is essentially unimproved and devoted to an open space use for the purposes of (1) the preservation of natural resources, (2) the managed production of resources, (3) outdoor recreation, or (4) public health and safety. Preserve contains some of the most unusual natural landscapes in Marin County. Rock-strewn hilltops call to mind the rugged, high-altitude exposure of alpine environments above tree line. While its serpentine soils discourage most plants, those that are able to survive thrive in the absence of competition — including some rare and endangered species.

On this hike we will climb two mini-peaks, past boulders of metamorphic rocks, to grasses filled with hiding flowers, including the endemic Tiburon Mariposa Lily.

How to Get There:

From HWY 101 in Corte Madera, take the Paradise Dr./Tamalpais Dr. exit and drive east on Tamalpais Dr., staying in the right lane which becomes San Clemente Dr. After 0.1 mile, continue on San Clemente Dr. as to bends right. Drive another 0.5 mile to a stop light at Paradise Dr. Turn left onto Paradise Dr. and after 0.9 mile park in a turn-out on the right, near a gated road. There are no restrooms at the trail head. However, as you drive down Paradise Drive, you will see San Clemente Park on your left. There are restrooms there.

View Marin County Open SpaceAny parcelA lot, or contiguous group of lots, in single ownership or under single control, usually considered a unit for purposes of development. or area of land or water that is essentially unimproved and devoted to an open space use for the purposes of (1) the preservation of natural resources, (2) the managed production of resources, (3) outdoor recreation, or (4) public health and safety. District (MCOSD) Access Points and Seasonal Closures Map in a larger map

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Join Greenbelt Alliance, the Grand Boulevard Initiative, and the National Park Service for a 1.5 mile walk through downtown San Mateo, following a portion of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail.

In 1776, 30 families arrived at San Francisco Bay after completing an arduous 1,600-mile journey to establish the first Spanish settlement in the Bay Area. Today, El Camino Real connects the historic downtowns of San Mateo County and has a future that appears to be just as dynamic as its past!

Where to meet: San Mateo Central Park (9th Ave. and Palm Ave)

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Questions or comments? Email Michele.

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We will take pedestrian paths and stairways in the Berkeley Hills  to visit seven small parks centered on large rock formations, enjoy great vistas, and view quintessential Berkeley neighborhoods with fine gardens and architecture.

How to Get There:
Served by the AC Transit bus lines, 7, 18 or 25 which stop at or near this intersection.  These can be taken from downtown Berkeley BART or other locations.  Please check also the AC Transit website for further information.

From HighwayHigh-speed, high-capacity, limited-access transportation facility serving regional and county-wide travel. Highways may cross at a different grade level. I-80 take the Albany or Buchanan Street Exit.  Follow this east (Buchanan Street becomes Marin Avenue after a few blocks).  Go a couple of miles toward the hills and after a couple of miles at the signal for Alameda turn left and go a couple of blocks to Solano.  Parking can be found by continuing further along Alameda or some of the side streets to the west of it.

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Learn some hisstory about this ringneck snake

Date: Sun., June 23, 2013
Time: 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Rating: N/A
Fees: None
Rain Policy: This event is on, rain or shine.
What to Bring: Your curiosity.

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Get ready for this year’s summer outings with a slide presentation and a talk  highlighting some little known, and sometimes bizarre tidbits about the native plants and animals we can encounter on our warm weather hikes. From “wait a while” ceanothus to  “sexy” coyote bush, “stinky” beetles to love struck “blue bellies”,  you may never look at our common trailside companions in quite the same way again!
This program is co-listed with The Lafayette Library and Learning Center and Sustainable Lafayette.

How to get there: The Lafayette Library and Learning Center is located at 3491 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette. It is a short walk from the Lafayette BART Station.

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Llagas Creek in Rancho Cañada del Oro Open SpaceAny parcelA lot, or contiguous group of lots, in single ownership or under single control, usually considered a unit for purposes of development. or area of land or water that is essentially unimproved and devoted to an open space use for the purposes of (1) the preservation of natural resources, (2) the managed production of resources, (3) outdoor recreation, or (4) public health and safety. Preserve

Date: Saturday, June 29, 2013
Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m
Rating:  M  4.5  A
Fees: None
Rain Policy: Outing takes place, rain or shine.
What to Bring: Sturdy shoes, sun protection, liquids and snacks. Dress in layers.

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In the 1770’s, Rancho Cañada Del Oro Open SpaceAny parcelA lot, or contiguous group of lots, in single ownership or under single control, usually considered a unit for purposes of development. or area of land or water that is essentially unimproved and devoted to an open space use for the purposes of (1) the preservation of natural resources, (2) the managed production of resources, (3) outdoor recreation, or (4) public health and safety. Preserve was  part of the Pueblo lands of San Jose. Today, it is a new 3,882 acrea unit of area used in land measurement and equal to 43,560 square feet. This is approximately equivalent to 4,840 square yards, 160 square rods, 0.405 hectares, and 4,047 square meters. preserve in the foothills of the eastern Santa Cruz Mountains. As we meander through oak woodland, soft chaparral, and creek side habitats, we’ll enjoy spectacular views of the Diablo Range and the eastern Santa Cruz Mountains.

How to get there:

Rancho Cañada del Oro Open SpaceAny parcelA lot, or contiguous group of lots, in single ownership or under single control, usually considered a unit for purposes of development. or area of land or water that is essentially unimproved and devoted to an open space use for the purposes of (1) the preservation of natural resources, (2) the managed production of resources, (3) outdoor recreation, or (4) public health and safety. Preserve is located in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains west of Bailey Avenue and McKean Road in south Santa Clara County. From HighwayHigh-speed, high-capacity, limited-access transportation facility serving regional and county-wide travel. Highways may cross at a different grade level. 101, take the Bailey Ave exit west, turn left on to McKean Road, and then right onto Casa Loma Road. The parking lot is at the end of the paved road on left. There are restrooms near the parking area.

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Mount Wittenberg at Point Reyes

Date: Sat., July 13, 2013
Time: 9:30 am – 7 p.m.
Rating: S  12   C
Rain Policy: Rain cancels
What to Bring: Lunch, snacks, liquids, and sturdy shoes.

RSVP Not Required

Join us for a strenuous but moderately paced day hike through varied terrain. Scenic highlights include a visit to the top of Mt. Wittenberg and a walk out to Kelham Beach. This outing is co-listed with Sierra Club’s Mount Diablo Group and Sierra Singles.

How to get there:
Take HighwayHigh-speed, high-capacity, limited-access transportation facility serving regional and county-wide travel. Highways may cross at a different grade level. 101 to Central San Rafael exit. Left on Third Street and continue through San Rafael and San Anselmo until merge with Sir Francis Drake. Bear right at merge (Sir Francis Drake) until HighwayHigh-speed, high-capacity, limited-access transportation facility serving regional and county-wide travel. Highways may cross at a different grade level. 1 (Olema). Right on HighwayHigh-speed, high-capacity, limited-access transportation facility serving regional and county-wide travel. Highways may cross at a different grade level. 1 and first left to the visitor center. Meet at 9:30 a.m. in front of Bear Valley Visitor Center.

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View from Montara Mountain

Date: Sun., July 21, 2013
Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Rating: S  9.5  B
Rain policy: Hike goes rain, shine or fog.
Fees: $6/vehicle parking fee.
What to bring:   At least one quart of water, lunch, windbreaker, sweatshirt, sunblock, hat to shade face, hiking boots and poles if you use them. You may also wish to bring a camera and binoculars.

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Join us on an aerobic hike to the top of Montara Mountain, 1,898 feet above sea level.  At the summit, we’ll have lunch and enjoy spectacular views of the newest addition to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area; Rancho Corral de Tierra, as well as the Crystal Springs Watershed, San Francisco Bay, Mt. Diablo, Mt. Tamalpais, and Silicon Valley. On the return trip, we’ll make a 1-mile detour into McNee Ranch State Park to see some of the Bay Area’s best and last summer wildflowers.

The route is four miles uphill, four miles down, and 1.5 miles flat with a total of 1,900 feet elevation gain. You don’t have to be an athlete, but some degree of aerobic fitness is required, since the first four miles are uphill.

How to get there:  Take I-280 to HighwayHigh-speed, high-capacity, limited-access transportation facility serving regional and county-wide travel. Highways may cross at a different grade level. 1/Pacifica exit (about three miles south of San Francisco city limit).  Take HighwayHigh-speed, high-capacity, limited-access transportation facility serving regional and county-wide travel. Highways may cross at a different grade level. 1 south through Pacifica to Pacifica State Beach. After passing the beach parking lot, turn left onto Linda Mar Boulevard. Follow Linda Mar Boulevard until it ends at Oddstad Boulevard. Turn right on Oddstad and proceed one block to the park entrance. Park near Visitor Center, our meeting place.

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We’ll start the day on a hike along Big Tree and Heritage Grove trails. The trails will lead us through a valley of old growth redwood trees. Hikers can learn about the history of this park and it’s founder, Sam McDonald, a descendent of slaves, who owned and donated this property.

In the afternoon, we’ll stop for lunch and a visit to Phipps Ranch in Pescadero.  We can tour the farm, visit the farm animals, and pick strawberries if the conditions are favorable.

How to Get There:

Follow Interstate 280 to Pescadero in San Mateo County. Exit at Route 84 and head west. Continue on Route 84 (La Honda Road) for about 6 miles. After passing the intersection of Route 35 (Skyline Boulevard), continue straight on Route 84 for about 6.5 miles to the junction with Pescadero Road. Turn left onto Pescadero Road and drive about 1 mile south. Bear right at the junction with Alpine Road. Continue about 0.5 miles on Pescadero Road to the entrance to Sam McDonald County Park on the right. Drive slowly because the park entrance sign is easy to miss.

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Walk softly and carry a big stick

Date: Sun., Aug. 4, 2013
Time: 9 – 11 a.m.
Rating:  E  3  A
Rain Policy: Rain Cancels
Fee: None
What to Bring: Please bring a leash for trailhead area, water, and snacks.

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Greenbelt Alliance is going to the dogs. Join us for a walk with our furry friends through Diablo Foothills Regional Park in Walnut Creek. We’ll hike through a shaded valley surrounded by massive sandstone walls. It was here, using  caves in the rock walls as nesting sites, that peregrine falcons were reintroduced to the East Bay.

Greenbelt Alliance’s natural landscapes initiative works to protect areas like this so that the Bay area is a great place to live for wildlife as well as people.

How to Get There:

Exit I-680 on Ygnacio Valley Road in Walnut Creek and drive east. After about three miles turn right on Walnut Avenue. After about two miles turn right on Oak Grove Road, then bear right onto Castle Rock Road and follow it to the Orchard Staging Area on the right

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Mitchell Rock at sunset

Date:  August 17, 2013
Time:  6:30 – 9:30 pm
Rating:  E  3  A
Cost:  $6/vehicle park entrance fee (exact change)
What to Bring:  Flashlight and jacket.
Group: Greenbelt Alliance membership required. Members may reserve for family or one other guest.  Become a member

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Join Greenbelt Alliance members for a special evening hike on Mount Diablo. We’ll experience mother nature’s night shift as we search for owls, bats, scorpions, tarantulas, poor-wills, and other denizens of the dark.

How to get there:

From HighwayHigh-speed, high-capacity, limited-access transportation facility serving regional and county-wide travel. Highways may cross at a different grade level. 24 heading east, exit at Ygnacio Valley Road and turn right.  Drive on Ygnacio Valley Road about 7 miles to the intersection of Ygnacio Valley Road and Clayton Road in Concord.  Turn right (east) and drive east on Clayton Road for 1 mile.  Turn right on Mitchell Canyon Road and drive all the way to the end, past the quarry, into the park.  Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center, 96 Mitchell Canyon Road, Clayton, CA 94517, Mount Diablo State Park. We will meet in front of the Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center.

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Join Greenbelt Alliance for a geological excursion in Sibley Regional Park. This region in modern day Oakland and Berkeley was red hot 10 million years ago, as a series of volcanic eruptions rocked the area. Along our route, we’ll see evidence of this geologically violent past as well as other natural wonders. From high ridges, we’ll have a great view of the Bay Area and hear about Greenbelt Alliance’s campaigns in the North, South, and East Bay.

How to get there:

From HighwayHigh-speed, high-capacity, limited-access transportation facility serving regional and county-wide travel. Highways may cross at a different grade level. 24 take the Fish Ranch Road immediately east of the Caldecott Tunnel. Continue 0.8 miles to Grizzly Peak Boulevard. Turn left and go 2.4 miles on Grizzly Peak to Skyline Boulevard. Turn left and drive .1 mile to the preserve entrance on the left.
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Birding the Greenbelt

Date: Sat., Sept. 21, 2013
Time: 8:30 – 11 a.m.
Rating:  E  1  A
Rain Policy: Rain Cancels
Fees: None
What to bring: Good walking shoes and binoculars (we have a few to loan). Dress in layers.

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Join us for a birding adventure along the coast. We’ll search for birds on the rocky shoreline and coastal scrub habitats of the Sutro Baths. Our quest will then take us to the wooded parkland at Sutro Heights.

This outing is suitable for beginning through advanced birders. Please bring your own binoculars (we have a few pair to lend). Our leaders will provide instruction and spotting scopes.

After the outing, you can tour the new park visitor center on your own.

How to Get There:

With SF Muni access:

Bus #18, and  Bus #38, with the 38 stop at 48th Avenue and Point Lobos a short block away. We will meet at the Merrie Way parking lot overlooking Sutro Baths. (Point Lobos and Merrie Way). Parking is free.

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Anita with an 8-legged friend

Date: Sun., Sept. 29, 2013
Time: 4 – 6:30 p.m.
Rating:  E  3  A
Cost:  $6/vehicle parking fee (exact change)
Rain Policy: Rain cancels.
What to Bring:  Snacks, liquids, and sun protection. Dress in layers.

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Join Greenbelt Alliance as we explore some easy trails in search of Mount Diablo’s scary looking but (mostly) harmless tarantulas.  We’ll also learn Native American and pioneer uses of plants and trees we see along our route. This hike is family friendly.

We’ll also hear about Greenbelt Alliance’s Vibrant Neighborhood initiative in nearby Concord.

How to Get There:

We will meet at the Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center.

From HighwayHigh-speed, high-capacity, limited-access transportation facility serving regional and county-wide travel. Highways may cross at a different grade level. 24 heading east, exit at Ygnacio Valley Road and turn right. Drive on Ygnacio Valley Road about 7 miles.  From the intersection of Ygnacio Valley Road and Clayton Road in Concord, drive east on Clayton Road 1 mile. Turn right on Mitchell Canyon Road and drive all the way to the end, past the quarry, into Mount Diablo State Park.

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View of Angel Island

Date: Sat., Oct. 5, 2013
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Rating: M  5  A
Rain Policy: Rain Cancels
Fees:  $13.50  (for round-trip ferry ride and Angel Island State Park admission fee)
What to Bring:  Layered clothing, sturdy hiking boots, lunch, snacks, and liquids. Bring hiking poles if you usually use them. You may wish to bring a camera and binoculars.

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From the ferry landing on Angel Island, we will hike up to the top of Mt. Livermore via the North Ridge Trail. We’ll  have lunch at the summit and enjoy spectacular views of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate. We’ll return via the Sunset Trail.

After the hike, you may wish to visit the Angel Island State Park Visitor Center or the recently restored Immigration Station. From 1910-1940, Chinese immigrants were detained and interrogated at the Angel Island Immigration Station. A museum has been established in the old barracks, recalling the hardships of detention.

How to get there:

We will meet at the Angel Island Ferry dock in Tiburon at 9:30-9:45 a.m., in time to catch the 10:00 a.m. ferry to Angel Island.

From US 101 heading north, take the Tiburon Blvd exit, turn right, and follow Tiburon Blvd 4 miles into downtown Tiburon. Turn right on Main St. The ferry is located on the left at 21 Main St.

From US 101 heading south, take the Tiburon Blvd exit and take a left over the overpass.  Follow Tiburon Blvd 4 miles into downtown Tiburon. Turn right on Main St. The ferry is located on the left at 21 Main St.Instructions from overpass are the same as above.

From the East Bay,  take Interstate 580 West to the Richmond – San Rafael Bridge. After crossing the bridge, follow the signs to Sir Francis Drake Blvd / 101 South. You will pass by the Larkspur ferry terminal on the left. Get on 101 South and continue for about 2 miles. Take the Tiburon Blvd exit, turn left over the overpass, and follow Tiburon Blvd 4 miles into downtown Tiburon. Turn right on Main St. The ferry is located on the left at 21 Main St.