A five mile mostly out and back trail (one small loop element) near the Carquinez Strait.

Start at the parking area close to Eckley Pier (worth a quick detour, be careful crossing the train tracks). Follow Bull Valley Trail up to Carquinez Overlook Loop Trail and down to Port Costa. Go through Port Costa (I'd download the route for this bit) and follow an unnamed (as far as I can tell) trail up to the top of Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline Park for dramatic views over to the Benicia-Martinez Bridge and Mt. Diablo. The whole hike is pretty exposed but very attractive with great views and a nice town in the middle. Highly recommended.

Hike starts at: 38.0524, -122.20119. View in Google Earth.

(Hike Map)

Abrigo Valley Trail to Santos Trail returning on Briones Crest Trail, a pleasant three and a half mile hike in Briones Regional Park.

(Previously: Mariposa Loop)

Hike starts at: 37.927261, -122.158768. View in Google Earth.

(Hike Map)

A five mile loop in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. Super limited parking so a good one for an early start. Descend Grabtown Gulch Trail for a little over two miles (and it doesn't really stop going down). Then after about five seconds along Purisima Creek ascend Borden Hatch Mill Trial all the way back to the top.

Hike starts at: 37.422216, -122.338163. View in Google Earth.

(Hike Map)

Mariposa Loop in Briones Regional Park near Lafayette. Park near Happy Valley Elementary School and then head up Panorama Drive to the top to get the trailhead. It's just over three miles. The first mile goes up 600 feet without stopping and the views are fantastic in every direction. This is the first time we've visited Briones, will be back soon as it looks like it has a lot of decent loops.

Hike starts at: 37.905312, -122.142265. View in Google Earth.

(Hike Map)

A 4 mile loop starting at Skyline Boulevard and descending through dense forest from 2,000 feet to McGarvey Flat at 1,380 before ascending in slightly brighter but still shaded conditions. Perfect on a warm day. This is in Huddart Park in San Mateo county, just the other side of 35 from Purisima Creek. The hyperlapse video shows the second half of the hike.

Hike starts at: 37.429281, -122.312027. View in Google Earth.

(Hike Map)

A four mile loop in the Marin Headlands including the beach detour. It starts at the roundabout and goes up to Hawk Hill and Nike missile control site. Then it plunges down the coastal road to the Black Sands Beach parking lot. If you go down to the beach (which you should) you then have a steep climb back up and take Upper Fisherman's Trial back down into Rodeo Valley before heading uphill again on Julian trail to the roundabout. Great views back over Rodeo Valley in addition to the dramatic descent down the coast mean this is worth doing once. Around a third of the hike is pretty close to the road which is the only real downside of this loop.

Hike starts at: 37.833262, -122.494321. View in Google Earth.

(Hike Map)

Hike starts at: 37.742189, -122.471394. View in Google Earth.

(Hike Map)

Hazelnut Trail in San Pedro Valley Park, Pacifica. $6 vehicle fee. Currently one way so very socially distanced.

Hike starts at: 37.577953, -122.475309. View in Google Earth.

(Hike Map)

Four and a half mile out and back hike from the Warner Valley area of Lassen Volcanic National Park to the Devils Kitchen.

Hike starts at: 40.442054, -121.393882. View in Google Earth.

(Hike Map)

Short hike taking in the spectacular McArthur-Burney Falls.

Hike starts at: 41.01255, -121.650831. View in Google Earth.

(Hike Map)