Category Archives: North Bay

hikes in the North San Francisco Bay Area

Bay Area Ridge Trail: Pacific Union College

Posted on October 20, 2019 by trailhiker

Since I completed my official circumnavigation of the Bay Area Ridge Trail a few years ago, I have made an effort to hike newly-dedicated segments as soon as possible after they are open – preferably on the same day (see, … Continue reading →

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Golden Gate National Recreation Area – Tennessee Valley Trail

Posted on April 22, 2018 by trailhiker

This hike could be characterized as short and sweet: short, at just over 4 miles round trip, and sweet, for the stunning views and beautiful wildflowers.  The Tennessee Valley Trail leads from a trailhead at the end of Tennessee Valley … Continue reading →

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Sonoma Valley Regional Park after 2017 Wildfires

Posted on April 4, 2018 by trailhiker

In the weeks and months following a natural disaster such as an earthquake or a wildfire, it can be beneficial to the local community for visitors to return, as part of the more general return to normalcy.  In the aftermath … Continue reading →

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Ring Mountain Open Space: Phyllis Ellman Loop Trail

Posted on April 20, 2015 by trailhiker

The motivation for this hike was to try to see the rare and endangered Tiburon mariposa lily, which had been featured on a recent segment on a local TV news program. These mariposa lilies grow on Tiburon Peninsula, in southern … Continue reading →

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East Slope Sonoma Mountain Ridge Trail

Posted on March 19, 2015 by trailhiker

The dedication of a new segment of Bay Area Ridge Trail is typically celebrated with a dedication ceremony, ribbon cutting, and official first outings. Recently a new segment was dedicated in Jack London State Historic Park, in the Valley of … Continue reading →

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Rockville Trails Preserve

Posted on January 13, 2015 by trailhiker

Rockville Trails Preserve is a relatively new open space preserve near Fairfield, CA, owned and managed by the Solano Land Trust. It is just across Rockville Rd from Rockville Hills Regional Park, where I have previously hiked.  The Rockville Trails … Continue reading →

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Rush Ranch Open Space – Suisun Hill Trail

Posted on September 30, 2014 by trailhiker

Rush Ranch Open Space is a few miles south of Suisun City in southern Solano County. About 2000 acres in size, it is next to Suisun Marsh and not far from Grizzly Island Wildlife Area. There are 3 hiking trails. … Continue reading →

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Birding at Rush Ranch

Posted on January 31, 2014 by trailhiker

My visit to Rush Ranch (see here for hike details) included quite a few bird sightings, notably two new entries to my life list.  This post is a short summary of the hike from the birding perspective.  Since I was … Continue reading →

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Rush Ranch Open Space – Marsh and South Pasture Trails

Posted on January 31, 2014 by trailhiker

Rush Ranch Open Space, located outside Fairfield in southern Solano County and operated by the Solano Land Trust, is a 2000-acre open space area that includes different ecosystems: freshwater and salt marsh, pasture, and grasslands.  There are 3 loop trails, … Continue reading →

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Moore Creek Park

Posted on December 28, 2013 by trailhiker

Moore Creek Park is a new regional park outside St Helena, in Napa Valley; it opened in June 2013 and is operated by the Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District.  The Bay Area Ridge Trail segment in the … Continue reading →

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