From the 1860s to the turn of the 20th century, the Mount Diablo Coal Field was the largest coal-producing region in California and once boasted five thriving communities. With the decline of coal mining some residents turned to ranching. Later rich deposits of sand were mined for glass and foundry use. In 1973, the East Bay Regional Park District acquired the land. Today visitors to Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, located 45 miles east of San Francisco, can explore miles of trails, tour the Hazel-Atlas silica sand mine, and visit historic Rose Hill Cemetery.
A travel guide to northern California's 50 deserted mining towns, plus the "ghost prison" of Alcatraz and a couple of Chinese fishing villages in the San Francisco Bay area.
Explore 56 trails in the superb open spaces of San Francisco’s East Bay The East Bay of San Francisco, California, offers a diverse array of hiking opportunities: the scenic shoreline of Point Pinole, the furrowed foothills and windy summit of Mount Diablo, trails that are home to the flourishing bird and plant life on Pleasanton Ridge and at Livermore’s Lake Del Valle. East Bay Trails is the ideal guide to the best trips in and around the area’s ridges, shores, wilderness areas, lakes, and reservoirs. Written by acclaimed author David Weintraub, this is the most complete and up-to-date trail guide for Alameda and Contra Costa counties. East Bay Trails presents 56 hikes, complete with detailed route descriptions and at-a-glance information about length, time, difficulty, regulations, and facilities. The text focuses mostly on hiking, but other outdoors enthusiasts—fitness walkers, joggers, equestrians, and bicyclists—can also make good use of this guide. Inside you’ll find 56 hiking trips, ranging from mile-long strolls to all-day treks, plus a few long hikes with overnight options New trips in Lime Ridge Open Space, Diablo Foothills Regional Park, and Round Valley Regional Preserve Detailed descriptions of each trip, plus updated maps Appendix of the best hikes for any mood or desire, whether it’s birdwatching, scenic vistas, waterfalls, or an easy trip for kids “East Bay Trails is the most complete and up-to-date guide for Alameda and Contra Costa counties.” —East Bay Express
Bay Area parks and preserves offer a dramatic variety of landscapes, from rugged redwood-forested canyons to breezy coastal bluffs, grassy rolling hills to sunny chaparral-coated hillsides. Well-known destinations such as Point Reyes National Seashore, Mount Diablo State Park, Mount Tamalpais State Park, and many other more obscure jewels of the Bay Area park system are just a short drive from the heart of San Francisco. Completely updated and including several new hikes and a complete new map set, 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: San Francisco guides readers to a splendid assortment of trails in the nine counties surrounding one of the world's most beautiful cities. Whether hikers crave a quick and easy get-out-of-town stroll or a challenging day-long trek through wilderness, this book is the perfect trailblazer, for city natives and first-time visitors alike.
Hundreds of parks, preserves, and protected open spaces infuse the San Francisco Bay Area with a world of unparalleled natural wonder. Straddling a remarkable range of geographic and ecological diversity, it provides avenues for adventure in all terrains, seasons, and environments. An overnight journey deepens this outdoor experience. One Night Wilderness: San Francisco Bay Area presents the 28 best overnight backcountry opportunities in the greater Bay Area, from the deep valleys of the Coast Range to the old-growth redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains, from the shores of Point Reyes National Seashore to the remote corners of the Diablo Range in Henry Coe State Park. And all of them are accessible within a two-hour drive from any point in the Bay Area. Discovering all of these adventures without help would be a formidable challenge. Nearly a dozen different governing agencies manage the parks of the Bay Area. Regulations, sources of information, and reservation systems vary widely by park district. Plus, the proximity of millions of people means that hikers usually must make reservations at least a few weeks before their trip. But this comprehensive guide tells hikers what they need to know to get away from the city hubbub for a night or two. Within these pages you'll find detailed information on regulations, agency contact information, crowds, and reservations for every overnight destination?plus human history, natural history, trail descriptions, fun activities, maps, and more.
In this newest edition in the popular series, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy presents the best of the West. With 70 rural, suburban, and urban trails threading through 1,050 miles, Rail-Trails West covers 60 trails in California, eight in Arizona, and two in Nevada. Many rail-trails offer escapes from city life, like the Mount Lowe Railway Trail, high above the buzzing Los Angeles basin on a rail line vacationers once took to a mountaintop resort. Others offer the pure sensory thrill of sweeping terrain, like Arizona's 7-mile Prescott Peavine Trail. Still more juxtapose the natural world with the railroad's industrial past, like Nevada's Historic Railroad Hiking Trail, which passes through five massive tunnels to reach Hoover Dam. Every trip has a detailed map, directions to the trailhead, and information about parking, restroom facilities, and other amenities. Many of the level rail-trails are suitable for walking, jogging, bicycling, inline skating, wheelchairs, and horses.
Longtime San Francisco residents and intrepid hikers David Weintraub and Ben Pease have selected 44 "must-do" trips for hiking, running, and bicycling. Trails range from easy strolls to all-day treks, from 2 to 12 miles, covering the most scenic parks and preserves between Santa Rosa and San Jose. The second edition features new hikes in Muir Woods and the Presidio, more elevation profiles, and at-a-glance information helps you find the best wildflowers, fall color, bird-watching, camping, historic sites, and cool hikes for hot days.
Who says you have to travel far from home to go on a great hike? In Best Hikes San Francisco Linda Hamilton details the best hikes within an hour's drive of San Francisco perfect for the urban and suburbanite hard-pressed to find great outdoor activities close to home. Each featured hike includes detailed hike specs, a brief hike description, trailhead location, directional cues, and a detailed map.
The San Francisco Bay Area is known for its natural diversity --; its forested areas, mountainous peaks, and coastal environments make for an array of outdoor experiences. Mountain bikers of all skill and intensity levels will find many exciting paths to take in this detailed and exhaustive guide.
