Gorgeous hike over green rolling hills. Best visited in spring when hills are lush green.

Location: Garin Regional Park

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

Route in Brief: Start by visiting Jordan Pond along unnamed trails (0.9 miles). Then follow High Ridge Loop Trail → Newt Pond Trail → Vista Peak Loop Trail → Zeile Creek Trail → Garin Woods Trail → Vista Peak Loop Trail → Old Homestead Road to return to parking lot.

Notes: Zeile Creek Trail and Garin Woods Trail in the northern section of the park are shaded. These trails are along Zeile Creek, making the walk pleasant after rains. At the intersection of Zeile Creek Trail and Vista Peak Loop Trail, you get great views of Oakland and Berkeley.

Location: along Garin Avenue, Hayward, CA 94544 . No street address. Parking area is visible in Google Maps if you zoom in sufficiently.

Directions: Go along 238 North. Turn right on Garin Blvd. Drive one mile to reach the park (Garin Blvd ends at the park entrance).

Google Maps:

Parking Fees: $5 per vehicle when the kiosk was manned, free otherwise (last visited: March 2011)

Capacity: Dozens of cars may be parked inside the park

Latitude: 37.628916     Longitude: -122.030060

Close to park entrance, ancient farm machine skeletons are on display.