Backyard BBQ

When we're feeling lazy but still want to get some exercise and sun, we head to Redwood Regional Park in Oakland.  It's a not-so hidden gem in the East Bay and a favorite spot for hikers, bikers and dog lovers.  Our favorite spot is only a 15 minute drive from our house and has good hiking, lots of redwood trees and great BBQ spots.  We bring the little Weber and hoard a picnic table for the better part of the afternoon.  There's also permanent BBQs for anyone who doesn't want to bring one (we know it's a little weird we bring our own).

Grab your trail shoes, bring a feast and work off some of what you'll eat and drink post-hike!

East Ridge-Stream Trail Loop
Last hiked: April 2011
Mileage: 4 miles round-trip
Exposure: Exposed for the first half, covered for the second
Trail map

For this hike, the best parking spot is the Redwood Regional entrance off of Redwood Road with parking in the Canyon Meadow Staging Area.  There's a good amount of parking at this entrance, but you'll also see a group of cars parked on Redwood Road to avoid the entrance fee.  We're trying to keep the parks open, so we chose to pay the $5 entrance fee.

Mt. Diablo in the background

After parking, walk to the trail heads in the last staging area.  There are maps near the paved entrance to the Stream trail.  For this hike, you'll want to head immediately right on the first dirt trail leading up against the first picnic area.  This will bring you to the Canyon Trail.  It's a favorite starting point for mountain bikers so you'll probably see more bikers than hikers on this trail.  It's a good, steep climb for the first .36 miles up to the ridge.  As you get to the top of the ridge, head left on the East Ridge Trail.  You'll be out of breath at this point so stop and look around at the views that you'll be shocked to know exist in Oakland.

The East Ridge trail has some rolling hills and is a good workout for the next mile and a half.  There are plenty of spots to stop and check out the forest of trees to your left and a bench a little over a mile in if you want to stop for a break.  I'm always amazed by the views on this trail.  I find it hard to believe this is in my backyard.

You'll be on the East Ridge trail for 1.6 miles.  You'll come to the Prince Trail on your left.  Head down this trail to get to the "redwood" portion of the hike.

The Prince trail is a gradual descent to the stream that runs through the base of the park.  At .40 miles, you'll come to the Stream Trail.  Head left on this trail to finish up the loop.

You'll start to see redwood trees on the Prince trail, but you'll be surrounded once you get down to the Stream trail.  The Stream trail meanders along (appropriately) Redwood Creek.  Stay along the Stream trail for the remainder of the hike.  You'll pass a few picnic areas, a bathroom (yay!) and a playground on your way back to the main Canyon Meadow staging area.

My favorite part of the hike this weekend was running into a group of Llama hikers.  I still don't really understand what was going on, but a group of people were doing the hike while walking with llamas.  I learned that llamas like to walk together as I parted one with its friends while taking a picture.  Turns out these llama hikes happen often in the park and you can find out more here.

This is such a great quick hike.  It's sunny on the ridge, but cool and comfortable in the redwood trees.  There's a ton of picnic tables making it the perfect BBQ spot for those of us who don't have our own backyards.

I would never post this if I knew more people read this blog...I don't want to share this spot with too many people!

What you need to know:

• How to get there: Highway 13 to Redwood Road.  Take Redwood Road all the way to the entrance gate.
• Seasons:  We do this year-round, but its best in spring, summer and early fall.  August and September get a little dicey for a BBQ since that seems to be prime bee season
• Entrance fee: $5.00 from April through October.  Free November through March
• Dogs: Always welcome at East Bay parks, $2.00 dog fee 
• Camping: Not in this spot, but there is other camping available through the Redwood Regional park system

Tip: Alcohol is allowed in the East Bay parks so your post-hike BBQ can include a few brews!