Pleasant hike over green rolling hills.

Location: Brushy Peak Regional Preserve

» Official Trail Map: Good quality map showing various trails. Also see Text section.

Route in brief: From the parking lot, go along Brushy Peak Loop Trail. Take right on West Side Loop Trail and return to parking lot.

Notes: After rains, the trails were muddy but lush green meadows and views of silicon valley in the distance were breath-taking! Plus, we got to say 'Hi' to cows grazing on hills — sometimes, they are found partying on hiking trails.

Location: 3894 Laughlin Rd, Livermore, CA 94551 . Parking area is visible in Google Maps if you zoom in sufficiently.

Directions: Along I-580 East, take exit 55 for Vasco Road toward Brentwood. Keep left on the fork, follow signs for Vasco Road N and merge onto N Vasco Rd. After 0.5 miles, turn right onto Northfront Road and drive for 0.8 miles. Turn left onto Laughlin Road and reach the parking lot for Brushy Peak in 2.4 miles.

Google Maps:

Parking Fees: None (last visited: January 2010)

Capacity: Almost 20 cars can be parked here

Latitude: 37.747109     Longitude: -121.709086