Living so close to amazing cities and a beautiful ocean, it can be easy to overlook that right here in the Dublin, California, area, we’re surrounded by many incredible regional parks and natural wonders that are a treasure in themselves.
Not only are our nearby parks special places that our communities have invested in, but the many who take advantage of them also know there are places that can help make our lives more balanced and healthy. If you’re looking for a place close to home to run, cycle, hike, or just get away from the grind for a little while, here are some great parks to visit in the Dublin area.
Iron Horse Regional Trail
The loss of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1978 was a gain for the many communities that helped turn the route of the old tracks into the Iron Horse Regional Trail, a 32-mile trail for cycling, running, jogging, and hiking. The southern end of the Iron Horse Regional Trail can be accessed right in Dublin, near the Dublin BART Station, where you can park while enjoying the exercise and beauty of the trail.
Dublin Access:
Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station
5801 Owens St.
Pleasanton, California
Hours:
5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily unless otherwise posted.
Sycamore Grove Park
Just to the southeast of Dublin, in Livermore, is where you’ll find access to the natural beauty and open space of Sycamore Grove Park. There are 847 acres dedicated to the park to explore, hike, bike, or go for a run. Much of the park is laced with a network of dirt trails, but there’s also a 2.5-mile paved, one-way loop open to cyclists. The park itself also provides weekend nature programs, many of which are free and led by park rangers. There’s a $5 fee for parking if you don’t have an annual parking pass.
Location:
1051 Wetmore Road
Livermore, California
Hours:
7 a.m. to sunset daily.
Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park
Getting up to 1,600 feet in elevation for the gorgeous vistas and canyon views of the Livermore Valley is a unique part of Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park, which runs along the ridges to the west of I-680. It has over 9,000 acres filled with trails perfect for running, hiking, cycling, and equestrian use. Nearly all the trails are unpaved, but you’ll find dozens of them, some of which are under 2 miles, as well as longer trails that reach up to more than 14 miles and involve some challenging hills.
Location:
Foothill Road
Pleasanton, California
Hours:
Jan. 1-Feb. 13: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Feb. 14-Apr.: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
May-Aug.: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sep.: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Oct. 1-Nov. 5: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Nov. 6-Dec.: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Del Valle Regional Park
Not far to the southeast of Dublin is Lake Del Valle, which is the heart of Del Valle Regional Park. The 5-mile-long lake is surrounded by 4,395 acres of tree-covered hills. There, you’ll find camping and picnic grounds, as well as trails for hiking and equestrian use, although horses aren’t permitted in developed areas of the park. On the water, you’ll find seasonal swimming at the East and West Beaches with lifeguards on duty. You’ll also be able to enjoy boating, including paddle boarding and windsurfing.
Location:
7000 Del Valle Road
Livermore, California
Park Curfew: 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Park Gate Hours:
Nov.-Feb.: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Mar.: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Apr.: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
May-Labor Day: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
After Labor Day-Sep. 30: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Oct.: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Lake Chabot Regional Park
Just a short drive west from Dublin on I-580, you’ll find access to Lake Chabot Regional Park, a man-made reservoir created in 1875 as a source of water for the East Bay. Now a beautiful recreational area, the 280-acre park features camping, hiking, running, cycling, and horseback riding, while the 315-acre lake offers fishing and boating. There are fees for many of the water activities, and you’ll need a fishing license, but you can rent boats and buy gear and bait at the marina.
Location:
17600 Lake Chabot Road
Castro Valley, California
Hours:
Nov.-Feb.: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Mar.: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Apr.: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
May-Aug.: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sep.: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Oct.: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Vargas Plateau Regional Park
To the south of Dublin, a short trip down I-680 will bring you to the Fremont Hills and Vargas Plateau Regional Park. The park offers more than 6 miles of trails for hiking, running, cycling, and equestrian use, but a camera may be what you want to bring because the plateau top is most noted for its abundant wildlife, including eagles, owls, hawks, bobcats, deer, and foxes. There are also panoramic views of San Francisco Bay, but remember to bring some water as well as your camera — the park doesn’t have any drinking water available.
Location:
2536 Morrison Canyon Road
Fremont, California
Hours:
Nov.-Mar. 7: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mar. 8-Apr. 5: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Apr. 6-May 17: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
May 18-Sep 8.: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sep. 9-Sep. 30: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Oct.: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
There’s just nothing like the beauty of the great outdoors to keep our minds fresh and our bodies healthy. After a day of adventure, if your car has gathered a bit of the wilderness, be sure to check out one of the nearby top-notch carwashes to get it sparkling clean again. We at Dublin Hyundai sincerely hope you’ll get the chance to explore the many parks and natural wonders that are right here in our own little corner of the world. And if you need help exploring your vehicle needs, whether you need a new or used car, we hope you’ll contact us and give us a chance to show you the quality and versatility we provide to all our valued customers here at Dublin Hyundai.
Lake Del Valle by Calmuziclover is licensed with CC BY 2.0
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