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Briones Regional Park
Rating Details »
Bear Creek Rd & Briones Rd
Orinda, CA 94563
(510) 562-7275
Orinda, CA 94563
(510) 562-7275
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
22 reviews for Briones Regional Park
Today, as I've done many times before, I hiked all around the reservoir. This time was different, I did it all alone to experience it without chatter or other distractions. 13.1 miles of pure bliss.
This place is - bar none - the most beautiful place in the East Bay. Because of the warm weather, I did the hike clockwise -- by starting on the Oursan trail and finishing up on the Bear Creek trail -- the last 4 miles of the hike on a single track trail in mostly shade. In the winter months, I do the hike counter clockwise, to finish up the hike in full sun (if the sun obliges!).
Today, I was determined to really look at the surroundings and to take my time. I usually do this hike in about 4 - 4.25 hours. Today, however, I finished in under 4 hours. How did THAT happen?! I guess I was so caught up in the wonder and beauty, that my pace picked up without my knowledge...or consent :-)
Truly folks, get an EBMUD permit -- I just renewed mine for 5 years - $30 - that is only $6 per year! Yes, you could tag along with a friend who has a permit since each permit holder is allowed up to 4 people on the permit, but I'm a firm believer of people supporting the beautiful hiking trails that are maintained by EBMUD.
I plan on doing this hike again in a couple of weeks with a friend to prepare for our hiking trip to Zions National Park in Utah in August. While Briones Reservoir doesn't have much elevation gain, with a span of over 13 miles of ups and downs, a hiker can still get about 2,000 feet of elevation gain.
A truly magical experience. Warning to dog owners, dogs are permitted on the Oursan trail, but not the Bear Creek since it is a narrow single track. To experience the entire hike, either leave Fido at home or take him/her only on the Oursan trail and forego the last 4 miles on the Bear Creek. You can accomplish this by staging a car at the Bear Creek trail head but begin your hike at the Briones Reservoir Overlook trail head. Fido will still enjoy 9 miles of wonderment.
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We went to Briones Reg. Park on Sat 5/30/09 because East Bay Area Trails Council (EBATC) were having a special event so that all hikers, bikers, & riders could come out & socialize together. That was very nice.
They were waiving the parking fee $3 for us and providing FREE lunch. That really made me want to go.
It's 45 min from San Leandro so it's not close for me, but friend drove so it was fine. We parked at the Bear Creek Staging Area. The EBATC had the Oak Grove picnic tables reserved - that was great.
No guide for the hikers, but V. knew the trails so we were ok. 7 of us total. Bikers lots more, Riders- 16.
We hiked up Abrigo Valley Trail - Rt on Briones Crest, down Mott Peak Trail - down back on Abrigo Valley Trail. Maybe 2 miles. We saw a snake sunning itself.
Lunch: It was a big one. Lots of burgers: beef, salmon, & garden, hotdogs, 2 kinds of potato salad, regular salad, watermelon, & homemade brownies.
After lunch we did a 3 mile loop hike. Deer Creek Trail - to Ivan Dickson Memorial which is a nice bench w/ a plaque facing Briones Reservoir. Then Right on Briones Crest Trail. Lots of steep sections, but we managed.
3 pit toilets near the parking lot.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/11/2008
We hiked at Briones Regional Park on Sun 2/10/08 because I wanted to find Abrigo Falls. One website… Read more »
Go! Now! It's SPRING!!! Bring a picnic!
Check out my pictures, it's BEAUTIFUL right now!!!
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Another week or two and all that gorgeous green grass and spring wildflowers will be dry and brown.
Some Tips:
- If the ranger is there, parking is $3 per car plus $2 per dog, or you can park out on the street for free and walk in.
- There is a drinking fountain and water spigot. It's in a nice picnic area to the right as you first enter the parking lot.
- There are cows, horses, and poop from both. If you're dog is like mine, she'll need a bath (or two) when you get home.
- There are lots of different loops you can do, all have some hill climbing, but nothing too strenuous. Most trails are exposed to the sun and it can get pretty hot. Some trails have some nice shaded parts.
- Dogs are welcome, and can be off leash just about everywhere after the parking lots as long as they're under voice control. You'll find lots of other friendly mutts here.
Too many people live in the Bay Area that don't know about the Regional Parks district. We can help remedy that, bring your friends!
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I really don't understand what people see in this place. I just moved to the East Bay and I guess I'm used to well-managed parks from other places I've lived.
In many places it looks like an abandoned construction zone where wild cows roam. There's cow and horse poop everywhere, the trails look like they've been bull-dozed, and the result is obviously trail erosion, which they seem to solve by bulldozing it more.
After I came back I did some reading online, and I see that there was a referendum last year, to give "The East Bay Regional Park District" something like 1/2 Billion dollars. I wonder what they use that money for; they're not going in to maintaing the parks, that's for sure. What a disappointment.
Beautiful vista's await you when you climb the hill off the Lagoon Trail, and even more await for you on the Old Briones Trail.
Even though climbing hills are not on my list of enjoyable things, I am looking forward to hiking these trails again.
I cheated on yelp and went with a group from meetup. I'm putting a review here to alleviate my guilt.
Great hiking area. We did the 13.4 mile loop (started at 10, ended at 3:30) and there was enough variation in the landscape to keep me from getting bored. That and I almost stepped on two snakes (one I actually stepped over before my companions pointed him out). None were poisonous, but keep an eye out regardless. There was actually a third snake in the bushes who we caught mid-swallow of a poor field mouse. Not a day to be a rodent---saw another one get carried off by a raven. Great day for wildlife in total. It helped that we got pretty far away from everything.
Not to strenuous, just long. Plenty of tree cover at the beginning. Some areas are on fire roads, and it crosses some paved areas at times (mainly near the water).
It was a busy Saturday with a triathlon going on at the same time. Gave me a complex about my athletic ability, but I got over it once we moved far enough away from it all. Horses use this area pretty heavily, and they do get right of way. Also, there were rowing teams, which I've never come across on any hike I've gone on. Overall, great day.
Water and sunscreen. Water and sunscreen.
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We hiked up some steep hills this weekend off the Lafayette Ridge Trail. I could really feel it in the old glutes today as we walked grandpa's dog around the comparitively mild hills of Lafayette reservoir.
You'd think I would have been walking off the eggs beni I shared w/ hubbs at Country Waffle...but no...I was just building up my appetite. ;)
Briones is an almost 6,000 acre park with a wide variety of trails. If you're looking for a glute buster try the entrance on Pleasant Hill Rd, next to Springhill Elementary and across from Accalanes High. Free parking lot. Lots of cowpies (and some cows too). Watch your step. Go right at the structure at the top of the first hill.
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So I had to head here for a Bio class.
We got a little lost while driving up. Those of us in the back of the car were a bit worried that we'd die a horrifying death, if not by going over a cliff, than by cannibalism Donner party style.
However we got there in one piece and after wandering around for a half hour avoiding poison oak (tons up here...just tons!) and looking around at the buck eye, sweet pea, golden globes, maples and laurels we headed back to school.
All in all no one was eaten by bears, thus yes, a good time was had.
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Mountain Biking Review:
Decent ride on the Briones Crest Trail, which starts in the back corner of the lower parking lot. It starts out with a pretty brutal climb to the top of the hill. You then go through a gate that is there for cattle grazing and continue to climb.
Pretty scenery but not the type of riding I was looking for.
Was passed by 3 people on horse-back, so you must share the trail with them.
Overall it was a good workout with some decent views. Like biking books say about this spot, I wouldn't recommend it on a hot summers day b/c there isn't much shade.
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I took my dog hiking here. My thoughts:
1. Great open area with some good hiking - 1 star
2. Cool cows - 1 star
3. Creepy guy on bike who paced back and forth for no apparent reason. I had my knife ready to slice him to pieces if needed - 1 star for excitement factor
If you go here, park on the main road in front of the park and save yourself $5. Yeah I'm a cheap bitch. And I hike with a knife fuckers! WHAT WHAT?
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Briones is awesome! Enter from any point and enjoy.
Doggie Disneyland. I love the fact that there are TONS of places to take your OFF LEASH dog here. Spruce was in heaven!
Not only is it beautiful, but it is also a great place to hike all day. The views along the peaks and ridges are stunning. The trails range from easy to challenging and the park is HUGE. There are lots of great trails to explore; you can chose trails that will leave you virtually alone or others that are filled with people. Nothing is ever crowded here.
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Yesterday, I was in Boston, the temperature was a chilly 20 degrees when I left town. Today, I was riding my bike through the East Bay hills in shorts and a t-shirt. I now understand why I live in California, it is good to be reminded every once in awhile. The view from the Briones Ridge Trail is amazing, there is a bench just below Mott Peak that has a view of Mt. Diablo, that is very picturesque.
I was amazed at how lightly used this park was today. It is the nicest day of the year, so far, and a Sunday and the trails were hardly crowded.
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Charlie and I ventured over here yesterday morning. Word of advice - park in the lot to the left of the visitor's kiosk. There is a trail, which is shaded for the most part. I would highly recommend doing this trail in the morning because it gets warm fairly soon. It's a nice, scenic trail. It was too hot for little Charlie so we will come back here on a cooler day to do some more exploring.
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Briones national park is like Tilden, but less crowded. The views from the drive are absolutely beautiful. It feels huge with the softer hills of Orinda, plus the road is wide enough to avoid hitting cyclists.
I came here for a wedding at a lovely picnic area with picnic tables, a stage, and a grassy area. It was a perfect spot: warm in the sun, a bit shady under the trees and acutally very quiet except for the wedding party. It was a gorgeous place for a picnic wedding, and I'm told very reasonably priced. (Brides take note).
While the traffic can be brutal coming through the tunnel on 24, one can always go the back way to Tilden and then Berkeley. We were able to make it to the northside of campus from Briones in 20 minutes. I chalk this up to no one really knowing Briones exists.
I think cycling here would be fantastic as Tilden and Briones are practically next to each other. One can ride the fighteningly narrow thrill roads of Tilden and then enjoy the wide spaces of Briones.
Definitely worth a visit.
I think Briones is a great secret in the Bay Area.
For one, it is HUGE! Really, look at it on a map. Second, no ones goes there or knows about it. It is best in the winter/ spring before it gets too dry and the grass is filled with all those little spikey things.
Bringing a knife isnt a bad idea... I have noticed some odd folks who seem to be killing time around the parking lot, too.
Oh, and this is a great place to watch the full moon come up!
I know these trails like the back of my hand.
(glancing at back of hands and noticing a few details for the first time)
Errr....maybe a little better than that apparently.
I grew up a few hills over from this park and used to ride my horse into it on at least a thrice weekly basis. We'd go for 8 hour trail rides solo or with friends.
My parents are hella ignorant to the ways of livestock and I was lucky enough to be 1) a great equestrienne and 2) to have some wonderfully trained horses who wouldn't toss me on my ass and leave me in parts remote and frequented by coyotes. To my parents horses = cheap babysitter.
A couple of times I attempted to mountain bike the trails. I almost died. So I stuck with the horses as they are more reliable and stop A LOT faster without roosting around every turn.
I also used to have the magic key that opened all the park gates. Now THAT was fun! Who needs a horse trailer when you can ride through every locked fence and government owned property between Martinez and Walnut Creek?
I'm all hick but still chic.
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It's got nice varied inclines, bright green rolling hills, chirping frog ponds and pasturing cows, and getting lost here feels epic because one moment you're parking in Orinda and the next you're suddenly in Lafayette overlooking Walnut Creek? WTF? Actually, all the trails do meet each other, and while feeling lost is inevitable the first few rounds, actually getting lost is not. Unless you're one of those wierd "bring a map" people. Reliable for a lovely walk, and quite run-able. On the tame side, unless you go through the archery range on a busy day.
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I used to go here a lot to the main parking lot. I had some crazy times here (you don't want to know). I walked around the area quite a few times and had some nice short hikes. It can be kinda scary at night. My friend was shot in the head here and died later that night, so I am always reminded of him when I go to Briones. R.I.P. Danton Dibble.
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In my many years as an East Bay resident, I have rode horses here, hiked here, and also done casual flat walks too - with and without the dog. It is peaceful, large, lots of trees, etc. Once I even saw a fox cross the trail up ahead of me on a peaceful, quiet, near dusk summer evening.
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Update 4/10/08: I have to downgrade my review to 3 stars after my 4 year old slipped in wet cow poop and got it on her shoes, socks, pants and shirt! I also managed to get it on my shoes and socks. Trying to avoid stepping in the stuff is like jumping through an obstacle course. I'd much rather enjoy the view and worry less about always looking down! We were hiking on the trail from Gloria Terrace - the one with all the Mc Mansion views - ick. We saw TONS of wildflowers though; blue eyes, poppies, buttercups, lupine - so beautiful!
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Briones is a large park with several different entrances. Parking fees are sometimes charged on weekends at the Alhambra and Bear Creek staging areas, but Briones can also be accessed from neighborhood streets such as Tavan Estates and Gloria Terrace, just check maps. Briones is mostly hilly with the exception of the Orchard trail. Some nice shady trails can be found such as the steep Alhambra Creek trail which is nice since this area can get really hot in the summer. I've seen coyotes in the park off the Orchard trail where the hillsides are full of squirrel homes.
I have to give Briones 4 instead of 5 stars because I think it's overrun with cattle. Cattle cause a lot of environmental destruction which is evident mostly in the erosion of the trails and creekbeds. I really think cattle have no business being in our public parks - they instead should roam only on privately owned farms and ranches.
Detailed Briones map:
http://www.ebparks.org...
gem in the middle of it all, quite a climb to get to the plateau
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