San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
SUNDAY DRIVE
Diablo Foothills Regional park
What you see:
An extended series of monolithic sandstone structures is the highlight at Castle Rock Regional Recreation Area. As you pass through Pine Canyon and along Pine Creek, you have the option of taking a side trip to Shell Ridge for a panorama of Castle Rock and beyond up the flank of Mount Diablo.
Location:
Diablo Foothills is on the outskirts of Walnut Creek at the foot of Mount Diablo and adjoins Castle Rock Recreation Area, Borges Ranch, Shell Ridge and Walnut Creek Open Space.
Now’s the time:
As fall arrives, so do the migratory raptors. The towering rock formations provide lookout perches, and the ground squirrels in the region provide food. Prairie falcons seem the most common, and there are often good prospects to see peregrine falcons, red-tailed hawks, golden eagles and more. The Castle Rock Trail is closed from February through July each year to protect raptor nesting.
When you get there:
For a first trip, park at the formal parking area near the park office for Diablo Foothills Regional Park and get the map/brochure before heading out. Nearby are other excellent trailheads and staging areas, including for Orchard, Old Borges Ranch and Shell Ridge.
Trail to Castle Rock:
From the parking area for Diablo Foothills, take the Castle Rock Trail, the fire road, south for a half mile into Pine Canyon. The trail then merges into the Stage Road Trail, where you continue along Pine Creek for about 1.3 miles, at the foot of the Castle Rocks. At Falcon Road / Castle Rock Trail, turn left. You then climb, short but steep, to the Castle Rock Trail on the left. Turn left, where the trail extends a half mile above the monoliths. It’s a 5.3 mile round trip.
Pine Creek:
Keep this on your radar. In the winter, rains recharge the watershed and bring a series of miniature waterfalls to life.
Map/brochure:
Available in the box at the parking area, or
as a PDF on the website.
On the trail:
Hike, mountain bike or horseback ride. Dogs are OK (they can be off leash away from developed areas if they are under instant voice command). Unless it’s wet, the trail is passable for ambitious wheelchair hikers with an occasional assist.
Cost:
Free parking, access.
Contact:
Diablo Foothills Regional Park / Castle Rock Regional Recreation Area, 510-544-3086, toll-free through at 888327-2757, option 3, ext. 4515; www.ebparks.org.
HOW TO GET THERE
From San Francisco:
Take the Bay Bridge east 6.4 miles (stay to the far right) to the split and Interstate 580. Bear right on 580 (stay to the far right) and go 1.5 miles to the exit for Highway 24. Take Highway 24 and go 13.8 miles (through the tunnel) to Walnut Creek (stay left, signed for Walnut Creek / Concord), then continue to Exit 15B (stay right) and for Ygnacio Valley Road. Take that exit (stay right) for 0.6 of a mile to the bottom of the ramp at Ygnacio Valley Road. Turn right on Ygnacio Valley Road and continue 2.3 miles to Walnut Avenue. Turn right onto Walnut Avenue and go 1.6 miles to the roundabout. At the roundabout, take the first exit onto Oak Grove Road, drive 100 yards, continue onto Castle Rock Road and drive 1.6 miles to park entrance.
GPS location:
1700 Castle Rock Road, Walnut Creek.
Distances:
5 miles from downtown Walnut Creek, 17 miles from Benicia, 20 miles from Berkeley, 23 miles from Dublin, 27 miles from San Francisco, 37 miles from Daly City, 40 miles from San Rafael, 55 miles from San Jose.