Rose Peak is located right in the middle of the 20-mile Ohlone Wilderness Trail between Del Valle Regional Park in Livermore and Sunol Regional Wilderness in Sunol. So one may either hike from Del Valle, or from Sunol. Both hikes are 20 miles round trip. 360-degree views from Rose Peak are pretty awesome. Trails are rugged with some steep sections. The best season is spring when hills are lush green. The hike may also be done in early winters, before rains. Most of the route is in the open, so summer hikes become overly strenuous.

Some groups do an end to end hike as follows: they divide themselves into two sub-groups, start from both trailheads and meet at Rose Peak to swap their car keys.

Post Summit in Big Sur is along a lightly traversed trail along Cabezo Prieto Ridge. There are two approaches: from Andrew Molera State Park and from Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.

One may do an end to end hike all along the Cabezo Prieto Ridge through Post Peak. For such an end-to-en hike, there is a challenge: the section between Post Peak and Mount Manuel was unmaintained in February 2012, going through thick brushes at some points. So either go with a group that knows the trail well, or be ready for some adventure.

Mount Manuel in Big Sur is along a well maintained trail in Pfeiffer Big Sur Park. One may also approach Mount Manuel from Andrew Molera via the Cabezo Prieto Ridge Trail. Note that the section between Post Peak and Mount Manuel was unmaintained in February 2012, going through thick brushes at some points. So either go with a group that knows the trail well, or be ready for some adventure.

Pinnacles National Monument in Hollister has a section called High Peaks which offers majestic views of valleys below. Several different routes may be formed in Pinnacles that go through High Peaks.

Mission Peak is the most popular destination among fitness enthusiasts. The hike climbs 2100 ft in three miles. Views all along are pretty good. The hike is best done in spring when lush green grass carpets the valleys. In summers, many people start before dawn for awesome morning views of east bay as the sun rises in the east.

Mount Burdell is in Novato. The popular route to the peak is from San Andreas Drive, with 1100 ft climb and 5.5 miles round trip. Some sections of the trail are steep. An alternative longer but gentler route is from Olompali State Historic Park.

Montara Mountain entails a steep climb along a combination of fire roads and unmaintained paved roads. Great fitness hikes in Pacifica.

The hike to Doud Peak goes through a variety of different terrains: cool redwoods and open ridges. The hike is pretty strenuous. It is harder than Mission Peak (2100 ft, 6.0 miles). Even though the elevation gain and mileage is similar for the two hikes, Doud Peak is more challenging because elevation gain is not uniform — many sections are steeper.

On a clear day, East Peak in Mt Tamalpais offers incredible views of San Pablo Bay and San Francisco Bay. Mt Tamalpais is criss-crossed by myriad trails, so there are multiple hikes to East Peak from different trailheads.

Many routes lead to Black Mountain in Monte Bello. These routes start at various parks adjoining Monte Bello. The shortest hike is from Monte Bello trailhead.

An awesome hike with great valley views in Ed Levin County Park. Slightly easier than the hike to Mission Peak. It is possible to form longer loops by going all the way to Mission Peak, which is connected by trails with Ed Levin County Park. Is is best to visit Monument Peak in spring when hills are lush green.

Mt St Helena is the highest summit in Napa Valley. Great views of various towns occupying the land surrounding the peak. The initial section of the hike is through a forest. After a mile, the route is along a wide fire road that slowly makes its way to the top.

Pine Mountain in Mt Tamalpais Watershed area offers panoramic views of green valleys nearby and San Francisco Bay in the distance. The hike to Pine Mountain is along fire roads, in the open. A hike to Pine Mountain may be combined with hikes to nearby Carson Falls, a cascade of seasonal waterfalls with plenty of water after rains. For a longer trip, one may additionally visit Kent Lake. Pine Mountain may also be approached from the nearby Cascade Canyon Open Space Preserve via the unmarked but well maintained Happersberger Trail.

Wildcat Peak in Tilden Regional Park is a popular destination for hikes starting from Tilden or the adjoining Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. A series of benches awaits you at Wildcat Peak.

Spikes Peak in Pacheco goes over green rolling hills. The peak does not stand out prominently from its surroundings. Many different loops may be formed that go through Spikes Peak. The hike is best done in spring, after rains, for lush green hills and wildflowers.

Fremont Older in Saratoga has several hills that offer panoramic views: Hunter's Point, Maisie's Peak and Nob Hill.

Mummy Mountain is a hill in Coyote Lake - Harvey Bear Ranch County Park in Gilroy. As of March 2011, it was not marked in the online trail map. However, it was shown in the park brochure with trail map that was available at the park entrance. The trail is parallel to Coyote Ridge Trail and Mendoza Trail, going through the point marked with a cross at elevation 1374'.

Buzzard's Roost is a vantage point in Big Basin, reachable by a short but steep hike.

Coyote Peak in Santa Teresa County Park is a hill that offers awesome views of San Jose residential areas and green rolling hills adjoining the park.

Hiddenbrooke Summit is reachable by a short hike from Bennington Drive through a combination of fire roads and single track trails. The views of Hiddenbrooke vally homes along the trail are pretty awesome.

Tolman Peak in Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park is a hill with great views of east bay residential areas and San Francisco Bay.

Mount Ellen is a hill along a ridge trail in San Mateo Memorial Park that is reachable by a short hike from the Park entrance.

Mt Whitney is the tallest peak in continental USA

Cloud's Rest offers gorgeous views of the rocky Yosemite Valley. The views are superior to those found at Half Dome. There are two approaches to Clouds Rest: from Happy Isles and from Tenaya Lake.