Go Nuts for It

Hike Among Chestnuts and Pines at Briones Regional Park

Chestnuts and pines: two things that’ll put you in the holiday spirit! Find both on this 4.5-mile loop hike (or mountain bike ride) through the northeastern corner of Briones Regional Park.

Start your trek at the Alhambra Creek Staging Area (there’s a $3 fee if an attendant is on duty). Follow Orchard Trail for 0.8 mile through open hills dotted by distant oaks and vineyards. Break off onto Pine Tree Trail, rising onto a pine-covered ridge and following Briones Road to the Briones Road Staging Area. (If you’re on a mountain bike, follow Pine Tree Trail until it narrows. The wide multi-use trail will take you to Briones Road, where you can continue up the hill on the road to the Briones Road Staging Area.)

Continue along Old Briones Road Trail surrounded by tree-covered hillsides still showcasing fall colors. Be on the lookout for shiny chestnuts along this portion of the trail as you traverse a hillside for a mile before dropping into a densely wooded valley on Spengler Trail. Meander through lush woods and head left on Alhambra Creek Trail. If the creek’s running it’s an extra holiday treat.

Christmas Tree Bonus: Still haven't found your Christmas Tree? Check out Alhambra Christmas Tree Farm located on Reliez Valley Road, just 1.5 miles from the Alhambra Staging area parking lot.

The hike begins at Alhambra Creek Staging Area and crosses the Briones Road Staging Area. Both of these locations have drinking fountains and bathrooms. The trail may be muddy in spots. Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Man hiking up a trail at Montara Mountain, with a view of the Pacific and Grey Whale sand beach in the background

    From Beach to Summit

    No need to decide between a beach and a mountaintop—this hike includes both! Explore the stunning coastal scenery on this 6-mile out-and-back up Montara Mountain and into Rancho Corral de Tierra.

    View
  2. Picnic and a Pedal

    West Marin has all the right stuff for an afternoon getaway: bike paths, babbling brooks, canopy forests, and secluded picnic spots. Combine a picnic and a pedal at Samuel P. Taylor State Park by biking the easygoing Cross Marin Trail.

    View
  3. Sebastopol Food & Wine Roll

    One apple farm, three charming towns, multiple wineries, and infinite natural beauty. Savor a perfect autumn day in Sonoma County by biking the West County Regional Trail from Sebastopol to Forestville via Graton. It’s a 17-mile (round-trip) adventure. 

    View
  4. Go, Tell It on the Mountain

    Want to be king of the mountain? Head to King Mountain, the 108-acre open space preserve just above Larkspur in Marin. Despite its lofty name, hiking King Mountain proves that simp

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Woman walking in the Venice Canals of Los Angeles County

    Canal Contemplations

    With its incense-scented boardwalk, bohemian shops, skateparks, and abundance of body builders, Venice is happily eccentric, and artistic. Exhibit A: Its network of European-style canals with charming bridges, offering a tranquil tour of the town’s history.

    View
  2. Sponsored

    Yes, Seattle!

    Ready to try something new this winter? Seattle’s ready for you! Beautiful by nature with its Puget Sound setting, surrounding mountains, and nearby national parks, winter in Seattle can be a magical and festive time. Ever been in a hot tub boat?...

    View
  3. Wine Down, Dine Out in Lake Chelan

    The fertile soil around Washington State's Lake Chelan is ripe for more than just the amazing apples. Vineyards here yield high quality grapes, and some of the country’s best less-discovered wineries. Locals know it, and you will too when you start choosing from the more than 30 wineries in the region.

    View
  4. What's Up, Winthrop!

    It’s not just its location close to Washington State’s spectacular and less visited national park (North Cascades) that makes Winthrop such a winsome mountain town. This lively enclave in the Methow Valley bristles with a whimsical blend of Wild West charms, contemporary culture, and a mosaic of outdoor adventures—from river to lake to waterfalls, and beyond.

    View