Pleasanton Ridge

Are you looking for an enjoyable and interesting place to go hiking where you won't see hoards of other people, but you'll be able to enjoy sweeping vistas of the Livermore and Pleasanton valleys?

The Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park is just the the perfect place to spend a morning or afternoon taking in nature and getting a little bit of exercise. There are a variety of trails you can follow - on foot, by bike, or on horseback. Some of the trails wind through the majestic oak trees and grassy fields, and some lead you all the way up to the top of the ridge.

On Saturday, Z and I decided to take a short hike along the Sycamore Grove trail. It doesn't go all the way up to the ridge, but it does provide some shade and offers picturesque views of the valleys and hills below. Check it out...

That's the parking lot below.

It was probably empty because it was so HOT!

What did they say?

"Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noonday sun."

We were mad alright!

Some energetic bikers quickly passed us by...

That's Interstate 680 down below...

An old oak strikes a graceful pose

against the blue skies...

Here's one of those typical Californian vistas

we've all grown to love...

Autumn is coming...

That's Mt. Diablo off in the distance...

There are ticks in the grass,

so you'd better stay on the trail...

Looking toward Sunol...

Fallen oak leaves...

Oak trees soaking in the sunshine...

The poison oak is turning red. Don't touch...

An oak tree provides some much needed shade...

The thistle plants are drying up...

Even the sycamore trees are starting to drop their leaves...

The colorful bark of a sycamore tree...

Oak trees dotting the hillside...

I hope to come back once the weather cools down a bit and hike all the way up and along the top of the ridge line. Anyone want to join me? Maybe we can even hit up one of the local wineries afterwards!

Click HERE to find out more about his lovely East Bay park.