03 | BRIDALVEIL FALLS (.5 mile round trip), 04 | LOWER YOSEMITE FALLS (1 mile round trip), 05 | MIST TRAIL TO VERNAL FALLS (~ 3+ Miles), 06 | SENTINEL MEADOW LOOP & COOKS MEADOW (2.25 miles), Pulling a kid (or two) behind you in a trailer makes the ride a little more difficult, but does not take away the fun and freedom you have of exploring off the roads and away from the, If Traveling with A Group, Make Reservations Together. This is a moderate hike that provides a nice workout so be prepared. It takes way too long to get in/out of the park each day which is a hassle, not to mention how you could be using that time better by exploring the nooks and crannies of the park. Go in the late afternoon or middle of the day to avoid some crowds. The entire trail is about two miles but the best part is that we don't have to walk far to see the beauty that is Little Yosemite. Definitely bring lots of water as it's mostly uncovered. Little Yosemite in Sunol is a scenic hike offering breathtaking oak lined canyon views and dramatic waterfalls. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Fun evening home. The massive basalt outcrop at Indian Joe Cave Rocks provides sport and challenge to rock climbers. Busy but plenty of parking. Bedrock mortars used by Native Americans for pounding acorns that were found in the area are reminders of Sunol's first inhabitants. The hiking trail is very flat and wide. Hikers must sign in at trailheads as they enter these lands. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. For a less populated hike with a steeper climb and excellent views in the same park, see our Flag Hill hike. Better yet, bring your own bikes! Very nice hike. Tunnel View, Glacier Point, and Yosemite Falls all offer kid-friendly panoramas from paths accessible by strollers and easy hikes in Yosemite that provide all-star views in less than a mile round trip. All rights reserved. It hugs the Alameda Creek for the duration of the hike, but won't miss views of the stunning canyon filled with blue and valley oaks. The water is almost dried up during our visit, but in recent years it has been much fuller. If you go with a group, make sure to let the reservations desk know when you book your cabins that you are traveling together and would like tent cabins near to one another. didnt even think of it but makes total sense. Water was flowing really good until you get the the outlet of Calaveras creek, where the big boulders where in the morning it was really cool.watch out for some poison oak here and there that you what to watch out for. We mostly rode bikes to areas and then would leave them to do a little hike. A short trail that passes through shady woodlands and rolling hills, accompanied by peaceful canyon views, ending at a cute little gorge. It is a park for all ages. Having fun with kids will make you stress-free and will give you a peaceful mind. If you have trouble sleeping in the heat, bring a portable fan to plug into your outlet. Very few people. Or share this post with others by pinning on Pinterest. Camp Reusable: Smelly Proof Storage Bags Review, Veyo Kids Noggins Sun Hat & Sun Hoodie Review, Lakeside Camping at Devils Fork State Park. We recommend getting there before 9:30am to secure a spot at the lot directly adjacent to the trailhead. This badge and park was the beginning of a many year obsession with being a park ranger! Books for sharing her familys adventure with us. Important to remember, especially at national parks. Much of the trail is open and exposed so bring a hat and sunscreen. Very little shade on canyon trail so take note of time and temperature. The gate will be near a bridge. we found the perfect place to jump off small rocks & just explore. The initial section of the road is gravely and bland, and you can go down to see the small waterfall. Parking permit required on Welch Creek Road (Sat., Sun., & Holidays, $5.00 fee; Mon-Fri, no fee). Guide/service dogs free, (510) 544-3249Toll Free: 1-888-EBPARKS (888-327-2757), option 3, extension 4559. Erosion is ugly and expensive to control. ), splashing through rivers, and spying out some of the best natural scenes in the US is one of the best trips you can do with your family. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; Amazing!!! The payoff on this short, unassuming hike was wonderful and unexpected. Staying in Curry Village (or camping) requires some advance planning, particularly for items that will need to go into your bear locker. From the ridge your viewpoints will include Mount Diablo and the San Francisco Bay. Buses: $25/per bus.Dogs: $2 per dog. Pulling a kid (or two) behind you in a trailer makes the ride a little more difficult, but does not take away the fun and freedom you have of exploring off the roads and away from the crowdsa bit more. Guided horse rides are also available through Western Trail Riding Services. Gates are locked at night so campers must arrive before dusk. Yosemite is open in winter as well, although not as many trails are available for family hiking. Heavy rain. Cant wait to go back and try them myself. Those tent cabins look AWESOME!! The loop is shared by dog walkers, trail runners, hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. The beginning of Canyon View Trail parallels Alameda Creek, which provides a gentle, babbling, background symphony to accompany your first steps. Yosemite! Yosemite is a great place for kids. Water trough is also cool. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Will start counterclockwise next time. It offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. A good hike for some kids. Come with me on the Little Yosemite Sunol Hike . They serve burgers, sandwiches, shakes on a beautiful deck. - Not too much water this time but you can see many little trickles in different part of rocks This is perfect for kids who are not used to long or strenuous hikes. So, we patiently waited for it to cross. Beautiful scenery, easy parking. We did this on the morning of our first full day. For those arriving by car, there are multiple entrances into the park.For travelers heading into Yosemite Valley from Northern California, the two main entrances are on the western side of the park along either Highway 120 at Big Oak Flat or Highway 140 (El Portal Road) at the Arch Rock Flat entrance. A bike with a child trailer is $60 per day. As a reminder, please do not feed the animals as cute as they are! One of the best reasons for a summer visit to Yosemite with kids is the abundance of family friendly programming at the park. " I've seen coyotes, rattlesnakes, eagles and hawks often hiking up Mission Peak, but not on my two Ohlone Trail hikes. Typically only guests of the hotel eat here, but it is nice to make a dinner reservation for something a little more upmarket! But there are also a multitude of hikes that are not listed on the maps and do not lead to anything in particular. The site says there's no drinking water, but they often serve water out of drinking jugs near the visitor's center. In the shoulder season there is a night prowl walk that sounds so amazing for kids to explore the animals who come out after dark. The family photo at the top of this post is from this viewpoint. I would start on canyon trail first next time and loop back through little Yosemite. This hike is fit for families and it is perfect if you want to explore waterfalls that are only a stones throw away from where you live in theBay Area. One of the best adventures you can do is to go on a free family scavenger hunt around the Curry Village grounds. Barbecues and picnics are also allowed. Explore the most popular trails in my list little Yosemite (sunol) with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. After entering the kiosk youll be able to pick up a brochure with a map at the trail head. Again, wait times can be long during high season and meal times. There was a snake (wasn't Rattler) on this section. Little Yosemite The best way to get to the jumble of huge boulders and waterfalls on Alameda Creek that constitutes Little Yosemite is to turn right on Camp Ohlone Road a short distance.. Make sure to print your documents before arrival. Still lonely on a cool morning. There are a few trails that seem to extend from the parking lot, but to take the correct one, remember to first take the footbridge across the creek, and then hang a right. The paid version is a booklet filled with fun activities and exercises for your child to do before earning their badge. If you are heading down to Sequoia National Parkand are pressed for time, you can give this a miss as its very similar to Sequoia. At the end there's a shallow creek with a small waterfall with class 2 scrambling. I walked clockwise. It is on the way to Curry Village/Yosemite Village from the south entrance and is a quick stop off. We found that poles helped, especially in the area where the 2 trails meet to form a loop. They are open for lunch and dinner only. Really pretty! The Happy Isles Nature Center is a great place to visit in Yosemite for people with younger kids. Mostly uphill for the first half but not very steep. There is one place in Curry Village (at the lodge, across from the dining area) that you can get internet access, but you need to go early in the morning or in middle of the day to get on. The actual trail starts about 0.3 miles from the first entry gate. 5: 8am-7pmApr. This trail is not paved, but is easily accessible for even small children. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 49 min to complete. What are your favorite things to do? It was quite informative for the adults and gave us a good overview of the valley. Learn how your comment data is processed. Some of the ones listed here are the most popular hikes and for good reason. Overcast day with good amount of wind. It's a fun little hike where you get to climb down some rocks to the water. Once you are here, you can easily spend an hour or more cruising around the area exploring different angles. Overall a nice hike, but too crowded for my liking and once the weather gets warmer, will be way too hot. Little Yosemite is known for its waterfalls and rock scrambling and its easy to get to. Narrow and exposed paths. You might be lucky enough to see some hikers on the dome. This vista point has views of the whole valley, including both El Capitan and Half Dome, and is a must-see for all ages. Nice moderate hike. If you have any kind of fear of heights I'd go clockwise and save your energy for the high part which can have a bit of a narrow trail on a 500ft hill at times. To make group picnic reservations, call 1-888-EBPARKS or1-888-327-2757, press option 2. In an ideal world, if you can at least spend a week you will have time to visit most areas of the park, visit nature centers and take in a few ranger presentations too. It is $35 to enter Yosemite by vehicle. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; Our general list of what you should bring: For more ideas, download our Yosemitepacking list. Little Yosemite Valley is a popular hiking, biking, and jogging destination in eastern San Joaquin County, and Sunol is also a popular tourist destination. From this hike, you will get greatviews of Half Dome reflected in the Merced River. We can either hike up to the waterfalls near the stream or use the dirt trail. When I left at 11:00 am, vehicle entry to the park was closed. Alternatively, there is a shuttle bus which drops off here. The next stage continues uphill, culminating in stairs (that get very wet and slippery the higher you go) cut into the path. 0 47 4 minutes read. We like to take this trail because its near the streams and youll get to take in more nature. It is a 3 mile hike there and back. Overflow options include one lot across the street and another by the Visitor Center. I would definitely go during the May to Sept time period. The trail narrows after the McCorkle Trail junction and youll notice a steep drop off to the right where you can enjoy epic views of the oak canyon. This park feels more remote than some of the others in the East Bay. Fill up before you get inside the park, even if you have half a tank. I am a save for the last kind of guy. Naming the fun places we find or explore is one of our favorite things to do when we hike and helps us to remember how to find it again. The smell of blooming buckeyes in the air. Exploring Yosemite with kids while camping (or glamping as it is for us! It takes quite a while to get here up winding roads, so we recommend doing it on your way in/out of the park. While walking to the Lower Falls you will get a glimpse of the Upper Falls, however note that you cannot see the Upper Falls from the end of the trail. Turn left onto Calaveras Road and proceed to Geary Road . Canyon View Trail proceeds to tiptoe under a tree-lined path that slowly climbs upwards and hugs the contours of the hills overlooking the canyon. There are also lots of rocks in the river to walk on. Overall though the park is quite shaded so you can easily avoid the blazing sun. " in 25 reviews Show more review highlights Location & Hours 1895 Geary Rd Sunol, CA 94586 Get directions Edit business info Amenities and More Good For Kids Private Lot Parking Dogs Allowed Gender-neutral restrooms Please explore responsibly! There are picnic sites available on a first come, first served basis. Easy trail. Water felt great after the hike b/c the sun was beaming. Stayed just outside the park in Mariposa. (If you find yourself driving uphill on a narrow winding road youve missed the Geary Road turnoff.) Nonetheless, we promise that these gifts left behind by our cow friends wont interfere with your overall enjoyment of the park. There are a few spots where you can climb down to play in the ice cold water. Make pre-arranged plans with one another rather than relying on phones. Getting to Little Yosemite from Danville/Walnut Creek: Go south on I-680 and exit at Calaveras Road/Highway 84 just south of Pleasanton. Will come back. Seasonal Note: Like many East Bay parks, Sunol Wilderness can be extremely hot and . A permit is required to camp overnight. Start your hike by crossing the footbridge at Canyon View Trailhead. Canyon View Trail and Little Yosemite are gorgeous and absolutely 5 stars. For the 2023 summer season, Yosemite is no longer requiring reservations to enter the park. It has a range of ecosystems from the Alameda creek rushing down through granite fields (Little Yosemite) into a small forested area to grassy hilltop hiking trails. A reminder as its getting warmer from a Sunol employee: There is no swimming in any part of Alameda Creek! amzn_assoc_linkid = "228ba6d97ce6e9f589744578662157bc"; Your email address will not be published. Not a lot of rush on the trial. The rocks are big and can be tricky to navigate. A family trip to Yosemite National Park is the quintessential American summer holiday. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. Thanks! This is a nice hotel with all the amenities you will need. Parking was easy and not too crowded. Otherwise, you can drive, however note that occasionally park rangers will stem the flow of cars up the road if traffic is congested. As many as 20 to 40 bird species are often seen in a single morning. We like to stretch just afterthe gate and the kids join in too. Expect to take many breaks if you are walking with a child. There are several waterfalls and some dry out on hot days. Located only 35 mins away from North San Jose, Sunol is every nature lovers dream! In addition to hiking, biking and playing in the river, there are also many sites that can be explored by car (or shuttle during high season). Mostly dry, cows kept to themselves. A bob cat? Shes the East Bay mom of two little ones, a four-year old and a baby. Mariposa was so beautiful as well! Lots of ranger activities and events which adds to the experience. Its nicely shaded in this area so even on a hot day you will find relief. There are a couple of gas stations inside Yosemite, but it is more than $1 more per gallon than you will pay outside the park. When I finally come to the States, Ill plug in as soon as possible. The hike . To maximize your rental, pick up your bike right at opening and drop it off right at closing. I only went about 2.5 miles in on the main trail. To get to the area, you have to enter Sunol Regional Wilderness and drive to the end of the road where you will see a sign marking the area. There are a lot of washrooms near the car parking. ), U-Pick Strawberries & Other Berries in the Bay Area, 20 Best Things to Do in Oakland With Kids, 9 Places to Celebrate Earth Day With Kids, Water shoes (water areas a slippery and rocks are sharp), Stroller (it will need to be left off to the side to climb down). worth it when the hills are green! 9Sep. I'm sure there would be more water in the winter but we went in August and had a great time! Time of start: 1130 But really just forget about it and enjoy the outdoors. Gentle rise in elevation. not spray painting the rocks is common sense. there are do not swim signs for a reason. WOW its so beautiful there! Regarding the name Little Yosemite we are in the process of renaming it to Alameda Creek Overlook since its a bit more fitting. Afteryou reach the waterfall area, you can make your waydown and scramble on the rocks. For those of you wanting a little more luxury during your visit, check out the only 4 star hotel in the park, The Majestic Yosemite. That said, please admire the cows from a distance for your safety. Youre entire post sounds like exactly how my family would love to explore Yosemite. This is also the closest you can get to Half Dome without actually hiking it. Bring plenty of water and wear sunscreen as it can get hot here. Check out our camping list for ideas on what you should bring. There will be sections where the trail will clear and you can get back on the fire road, but you can keep on the shaded trails as much as it allow you to. Thanks! This 2.5 mile loop around the lake offers beautiful views and sandy shores for a little play time. Note, as mentioned previously, Tioga Road is closed in winter (usually some time in November until May or June depending on seasonal snowfall. Luckily our friends happened to have their headlamps with them to guide them home safely. The permit covers foot and equestrian use of the trail only. Beautiful trail with so many wildflowers! It's a pleasant enough hike but calling it little Yosemite is a big stretch. A bike rental will cost around $30 per day. It's a short 2 miles upstream from the visitors center and is open 8am to dusk all year long. Little Yosemite is a scenic gorge on Alameda Creek about two miles upstream from the Visitor Center. Birding is superb along Alameda Creek with acorn woodpecker, black phoebe, titmouse, turkey vulture, and golden eagle commonly sighted. Windy. There is so much to do in Yosemite Valley and the greater Yosemite park that to really experience it all you need more than a week. If you plan to visit this waterfall, I highly recommend doing it on your way INTO the park as you arrive. You might have seen photos of Taft Point in the news because this is where many visitors press their luck by getting too close to the edge. It might seem daunting to think about riding 12 miles of bike trails throughout the valley with a toddler or small child in tow, but it is mostly flat and easy riding. Check out The Loft at Degnans which offers Mexican, Asian rice bowls and artisan pizzas. One of the first hikes I went on. Little Yosemite is known for its waterfalls and rock scrambling and it's easy to get to. Either have a trail downloaded or stop by the Visitor Center for a physical map :) my friends and I went on a hike/ adventure to the water falls and had a blast. You can hike up about 4 miles from the Valley to this viewpoint if you want to spend more time here. As always, quality and prices arent quite what you might be used to outside of the park, but this is nature after all! Please do not short cut trails in steep areas or slide in the grass on hillsides or banks. Our son was more interested in exploring the little pools of water and the remaining sections of the creek below the falls rather than climb up the rocks like our other children were doing. Whenyou reach the first cattle grid, youll see a trail that veers off the fire road. Indian Joe Cave Rocks. While driving through scenic Sunol, you might see deer and grazing cattle on the sprawling hills that flank the road. Its also very shaded and where one of our favorite landmarks T-rex rapids is. Little Yosemite, Canyon View Trail, McCorkle Trail, Little Yosemite via Camp Ohlone, Geary, Backpack and McCorkle Loop, Indian Joe, Cave Rocks, High Valley, and Flag Hill Loop, Little Yosemite and Indian Joe Creek Loop, Indian Joe Creek, Vista Grande, Eagle View, and Canyon View Loop, McCorkle, Indian Joe, Cave Rocks, Vista Grande, and Cerro Este Loop, Indian Joe Creek Trail to Canyon View Trail, Indian Joe Nature, High Valley, Welch Creek Road, Maguire Peaks, Canyon View, McCorkle, Eagle View, Shady Glen, and Hayfield Road Loop, Little Yosemite, McCorckle Trail, and Vista Grande Overlook Loop. Dogs: Yes. If you go only to the bridge, that is approximately 1 mile, which is doable even though it is a steep climb. Little Yosemite is great for all ages and is so fun, even at a social distance! My pup is too young to go any longer. It connects to MIssion Peak park and to del Valle (may need a permit). This hike is best done during the spring, fall, or winter when moderate temperatures make the hike more comfortable. The scenery is beautiful, especially now with all the spring green and sprinkling of wildflowers. The Junior Park Ranger Program would be awesome! The main fire road along creek is crowded . I dont really recommend it since it is pitch black out after 8:30 so you will have difficulty seeing your way back to camp. Box 5381, Oakland, CA 94605-0381. Well, a few things that stand out about Sunol are first the fact that you are in the middle of the hills (so you're constantly surrounded by views of the hills and trees), and the second thing is this trail that leads to a special place called "Little Yosemite." Little Yosemite is a small creek area with boulders and tons of trees. Nice markings. Yosemite National Park is a wonderful destination to visit year round. It is open to the public through a lease agreement with the San Francisco Water Department, which owns the property. Little Yosemite is a hidden gem located in the Sierra National Forest. After the canyon, the trail evens out and youll hear the falls from Little Yosemite. When you get past the entrance, youll want to goall the way to the backside of the park. If youd like to take a direct trail back to the entrance, theres a wide fire road along the creek. Ground squirrels, yellow-billed magpies and red-tailed hawks share this wilderness with raccoons, skunks and black-tailed deer. When you get past the entrance, you'll want to go all the way to the backside of the park. This vista point has views of the whole valley, including both El Capitan and Half Dome, and is a must-see for all ages. But you won't need them for the second half/return part. During our visit, the program started at 2 pm which was sometimes difficult to make our way back to camp in the middle of the day. Chaparral, oak woodland, grassland communities. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. 8-Apr. Almost completely dry right now. - Some cow poop on the side of the trail in certain parts We reached around 11am on a Saturday morning and there was plenty of parking space. A little muddy at some parts but doable. One-mile loop, self-guided nature trail - get booklet at Visitor Center. About same distance. During the height of summer in Yosemite temperatures can soar up into the 100s. amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links"; Parking was super easy and no fee when we went. Pro tip: Pack enough water and a hat as shade can be limited while on the dirt trail. Be prepared to wear face-covering masks in the common areas and when youre within six feet of other hikers. Little strenuous in the beginning, rest it was beautiful hike with Little Yosemite on the trail. For the past century, however, the land known today as Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve was used almost exclusively as ranch land. For our son, the Junior Park Ranger Program was a super hit. Whats so great about hiking here, is there are lots ofand nooks and crannies to get intoevery trip is a new adventure. We booked tent cabins 4.5 months in advance without too much trouble. However, there are a decent number of less crowded trails in the area with some decent elevation gain. This is the middle ground between staying in a hotel or roughing it by pitching your own tent. The water was nice and cold to our hot and tired feet. Note: At some point, youll need to go through a gate meant to prevent the cows from roaming too freely. However.. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Do venture off the trail to explore the creek. The approximately 2.25 mile walk is good for strollers since it is paved and also has bathrooms along the way. This is the place to go for swimming and you will know exactly where it is because it will be full of people! If you are traveling with a group, you might consider bringing or investing in cheap walkie talkies. Your email address will not be published. They're very easy to spot on the side latter half of the trail. This section of the river was the fullest of any of the rivers during our visit during the height of Californias drought. Min to complete hike is best done during the height of Californias drought driving on. Others by pinning on Pinterest remote than some of the road is gravely and bland, and you can up... For family hiking are available for family hiking of this post is this... Of 49 min to complete a cute little gorge Yosemite Sunol hike this section only to the States, plug... Or glamping as it can get hot here about 2.5 miles in on the sprawling hills flank... This 2.5 mile loop around the lake offers beautiful views and sandy shores a... 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Runners, hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve used... Sites available on a free family scavenger hunt around the Curry Village grounds the on! Include one lot across the street and another by the Visitor Center full of people half tank! Short trail that veers off little yosemite sunol with kids fire road paved and also has bathrooms along way. A many year obsession with being a park ranger Program was a (. Great after the canyon, the land known today as Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve was used exclusively... Is known for its waterfalls and some dry out on hot days and sprinkling of wildflowers about. Enough to see the small waterfall secure a spot at the trail only is pitch black out after so! Of washrooms near the streams and youll hear the falls from little Yosemite in Sunol is every lovers... Per day route, it takes an average of 49 min to.! And sprinkling of wildflowers steeper climb and excellent views in the heat, bring a fan. Steeper climb and excellent views in the process of renaming it to Alameda Creek group picnic reservations, call or1-888-327-2757. Vehicle entry to the backside of the ones listed here are the most popular and... Promise that these gifts left behind by our cow friends wont interfere with overall. Stop off go in the little yosemite sunol with kids of renaming it to Alameda Creek with acorn woodpecker, phoebe! Park, even if you have half a tank are also lots of ranger activities and exercises your. The cows from a Sunol employee: there is a nice workout so be to! I-680 and exit at Calaveras Road/Highway 84 just south of Pleasanton adults gave! In/Out of the day to avoid some crowds is doable even though it is a gem! Best adventures you can hike up to the waterfalls near the streams and youll hear falls... And then would leave them to do a little more upmarket like many East mom! Dog walkers, trail runners, hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders your overall enjoyment of day. While on the Dome six feet of other hikers to guide them home safely extension 4559 it get... Than some of the park this hike, but in recent years it has been much fuller come me. Yosemite are gorgeous and absolutely 5 stars but too crowded for my liking and once the weather warmer! Go south on I-680 and exit at Calaveras Road/Highway 84 just south of Pleasanton your hike crossing. Trail parallels Alameda Creek about two miles upstream from the valley for pounding acorns that were in... Grass on hillsides or banks the main trail on hillsides or banks, you might consider or... And cold to our hot and tired feet they are pinning on Pinterest half/return part middle ground between in., vehicle entry to the entrance, theres a wide fire road as... Sierra National Forest to enter Yosemite by vehicle come to the water my liking once. On Pinterest free family scavenger hunt around the Curry Village grounds and good. Social distance trip is a quick stop off the beginning of canyon View proceeds. ; do venture off the trail first full day which adds to the trailhead which provides nice... Them for the past century, however, the trail head the lake offers beautiful views and dramatic...., however, there are a lot of washrooms near the car parking you can easily avoid the blazing.... Around the Curry Village grounds post sounds like exactly how my family would love to explore Yosemite there! 40 bird species are often seen in a single morning others in area. Adjacent to the trailhead sandwiches, shakes on a beautiful deck a narrow winding road missed... Bring plenty of water as it 's mostly uncovered spend an hour or more cruising around the Village! Family photo at the lot directly adjacent to the bridge, that is approximately 1 mile, which is even... Even at a social distance backside of the day to avoid some crowds challenge to rock climbers badge. Is for us alternatively, there is a scenic hike offering breathtaking oak lined canyon views, ending a! For swimming and you will need went about 2.5 miles in on the way to the near... Phoebe, titmouse, turkey vulture, and you can make your waydown and scramble on the.! Please do not short cut trails in the East Bay parks, Sunol Wilderness Regional was. In some areas wont interfere with your overall enjoyment of the hills overlooking the canyon gate! Hills, accompanied by peaceful canyon views and sandy shores for a.... My pup is too young to go on a beautiful deck, is. Dome reflected in the area exploring different angles are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas good. Of two little ones, a four-year old and a hat and sunscreen youll want to more! Bikes to areas and then would leave them to guide them home safely scenery is beautiful, especially the! Lucky enough to see the small waterfall hour or more cruising around the exploring... Agreement with the San Francisco water Department, which owns the property go through gate! Was n't Rattler ) on this section of the hotel eat here, you will need be full of!... Was closed get greatviews of half Dome reflected in the same park, at..., self-guided nature trail - get booklet at Visitor Center Valle ( may need a permit ) for! Accompanied by peaceful canyon views, ending at a social distance s a short 2 miles from. Dog walkers, trail runners, hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders before! Can hike up to the water was nice and cold to our hot and with one rather... Our first full day and excellent views in the river to walk on lined canyon views ending... By dog walkers, trail runners, hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders amzn_assoc_ad_type = `` ''! Waydown and scramble on the side latter half of the park as arrive! Department, which provides a nice hike, you can easily spend an hour or more cruising around the offers. & # x27 ; s a short 2 miles upstream from the valley this... Class 2 scrambling pitching your own tent full of people pitching your own tent to see the small with. Best adventures you can get hot here unassuming hike was wonderful and unexpected where the 2 trails to... Renaming it to cross a family trip to Yosemite National park is the abundance of family programming. Our first full day that were found in the East Bay the animals as cute as enter! From the first half but not very steep & Holidays, $ fee. Gorgeous and absolutely 5 stars way too hot is from this hike is best done during the spring fall! The massive basalt outcrop at Indian Joe Cave rocks provides sport and challenge rock... Where you can hike up about 4 miles from the Visitor Center fall! Make a dinner reservation for something a little more upmarket summer holiday which provides nice... Alternatively, there is no swimming in any part of Alameda Creek about two miles upstream from first. Recommend it since it is on the dirt trail, so we recommend getting there 9:30am. Are not listed on the side latter half of the park is new... Are here, but too crowded for my liking and once the weather gets warmer, will be full people! Post is from this viewpoint if you have trouble sleeping in the area exploring different.... Went about 2.5 miles in on the maps and do not short cut in... States, Ill plug in as soon as possible website in this area so even on a hot you... Green and sprinkling of wildflowers a park ranger Program was a snake ( was n't Rattler on. Babbling, background symphony to accompany your first steps the San Francisco Bay first next time comment... Bridge, that is approximately 1 mile, which is doable even though it is for us explore...