Meet at the Old Orinda Library parking lot at 8:15 am for departure at 8:30 am.
Note: We suggest a BRUNCH at the turnaround point shortly after 11 am (Palo Seco picnic grounds). Bring some food and drink, and possibly something to share.
After exploring the Sausal Creek (Dimond) Canyon and Palo Seco Creek Canyon in Oakland on three pre-hikes, we discovered a trail through these canyons that is truly spectacular: lush, green, rugged, seemingly remote, yet just minutes away from Orinda!
This is a "stretched" short hike of about 6 miles with some steep sections. We estimate an approximately 500 ft elevation gain from start to turn-around point. Most of the hike is in the woods, except for the last 15 minutes of our return through the Oakmore neighborhood. There are some steep ascents and descents and some single-track sections of the trail on steep slopes. Thus, hiking boots are required and hiking poles are recommended for those who use them. The toilets at the staging area are somewhat primitive (bring your own paper), while those at the turn-around point are "fancier." We encountered some occasional poison oak. Expect to be back at the parking lot 1:00 - 1:30 pm.
From the parking lot above the Dimond Recreation Center (closed on Sunday), we will follow Sausal Creek up-river, northeast, through a forest of oak and laurel. Before that trail gets rough, we will cross the creek, then switchback up to the higher Old Canyon Trail that continues up the canyon until we reach Monterey Boulevard. After a short walk along the road (sidewalks), we cross under Hwy 13 through a tunnel and continue on the beautiful Palos Colorados (Spanish for redwoods) Trail along Palo Seco Creek. Redwoods, ferns, and vines blanket this narrow, lush canyon. The Sinawik Trail leads us to the secluded Palo Seco picnic area for our BRUNCH. We return on Sunset Trail and retrace our steps to Monterey Blvd. and the Bridgeview Trail, which brings us to Bridgeview Drive with its elegant homes and gardens. A walk through the Oakmore neighborhood, developed in the 1920s and 1930s, brings us back to our starting point. Treats from the kitchen of Audra and Klaus await you there.
For those interested in lunch, there are a number of restaurants on Park Blvd, below El Centro Avenue, between Wellington St. and Glenfield Ave.
Driving Instructions to the trailhead:
If you go there directly, be there at 8:45 am.