Enjoy winter scavenger hunts near Livermore and Sunol
East Bay Regional Park District naturalists offer lots of guided programs to help park visitors explore the world of nature around us, but you can also enjoy discoveries on your own during either of two free, selfguided winter scavenger hunts.
Both are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday — one at Sunol Regional Wilderness near Sunol, the other at Del Valle Regional Park south of Livermore. These are dropin programs; no registration is necessary. Stop by the visitor center at either park during those hours, pick up an activity sheet and set forth on your personal adventure in the park.
Sunol Regional Wilderness is at the end of Geary Road off Calaveras Road, about 5 miles south of Interstate 680 and the town of Sunol. There's a parking fee of $5 per vehicle. Del Valle Regional Park is at the end of Del Valle Road off Mines Road, about 9 miles south of Livermore. The visitor center is next to the westside beach. Del Valle has a $6 parking fee. For more information on either program, call 510-544-3249.
Another free, drop-in program at Del Valle is nature story time, from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the visitor center. The naturalist staff will
NATURE STORY TIME >>
read aloud to the group and discuss the story. All ages are welcome; no registration is required. Seating is outside. Some carpet squares and benches will be provided, or you can bring your own chair or blanket.
FREMONT >> Bumblebees are important pollinators, and like many other beneficial insects, they need our help to continue thriving. You can learn more about bumblebees and how to make a bumblebee “hotel,” during a program from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont.
After that, you can check for eggs and help to feed the park's livestock during a program from 3 to 3:30 p.m. the same day. No registration is necessary for either program. Ardenwood entry fees apply. The park is at 34600 Ardenwood Blvd., just north of Highway 84. For information, call 510544-2797.
ANTIOCH >> Post-Gold Rush history is the theme of a hike scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 20 at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch, led by naturalist Kevin Dixon. Coal was the goal of the miners who toiled for about 30 years in what is now the regional park during the late 19th and early 20th century.
The group will follow the miners' path from the Pittsburg Mine in Somersville to the Central Mine in Stewartville while finding evidence of their lives and work. Some of the trails are steep, uneven and possibly slippery. The program is free, but registration is required, and there's a minimum age of 8 to participate. For registration and information, call 888-3272757, option 2. Black Diamond Mines is at the end of Somersville Road, 3½ miles south of Highway 4. There's a parking fee of $5 per vehicle.
OAKLAND HILLS >> Wednesday Walks are a series of naturalist-led explorations of various regional parks. The walks are free, and everyone is welcome. There's a Wednesday Walk from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park in the Oakland hills.
Meet at the Skyline Gate on Skyline Boulevard in Oakland for a moderate, 5¼-mile ramble along the French and Stream Trails. Wear sturdy shoes, bring water and dress for the weather. It may be muddy. Heavy rain would cancel it. For information, call 510544-3187.