Briones Regional Park

The Briones Regional Park Trails offer you and Fido multiple hiking options. Expect to share the road with bikers, horseback riders, and pedestrians when you come here. Although any season of the year is good for a visit, you'll see added beauty during the spring when wildflowers are their most vibrant. The gate opens at 8 AM year-round, but closing hours vary by season. Check the park's website for times.

For a furrific loop, start off at the staging area on Briones Road. Follow Old Briones Road through the gate and past some brush, small oak, and elderberry trees. The road changes to a dirt track as you pass through another gate into rolling grassland with a few groves of trees. Climb to the crest where you'll turn onto Briones Crest Trail. There's a bench area where you and your pooch can enjoy the stunning views of the Sacramento Delta. The descent goes through more rolling meadows, stands of coast live oaks, and a few lagoons. At the second lagoon, take Mott Peak Trail to Black Oak Trail as you head down toward the staging area. Other trails that you and Fido can explore in this park include the Abrigo Valley Trail and the Alhambra Creek Trail.

Park rules indicate that you may bring your four-legged friend if they're on a leash. Yield when you encounter horseback riders and bikers on your trek. Bring water with you for the hike, and pack bags to remove any waste. 

Plan a hiking adventure with your special pal to Briones Regional Park. This pawmazing facility provides some gorgeous sights and an afternoon of exercise. There are 13 easy and 11 moderately difficult trails here with a total estimated length of 59 miles. You can select a path that wanders through the woods, in the grasslands, or a combination of environments.