Short Hike, Sweet View!

Hike to Big Views at Claremont Canyon in the East Bay

Woman and her dog looking out to view of the Bay at Claremont Canyon Preserve in the East Bay

Steady as you go ... all the way up to a sweeping Bay vista at Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve. This 208-acre haven has a 4.3-mile loop hike to one of the best views in the East Bay. Begin your hike on the aptly named Stonewall Panoramic Trail, which rises quickly out of the eucalyptus forest to ridgeline chaparral.

Hike Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve

As you approach Panoramic Way, soak in the birds-eye view of the bay and UC Berkeley’s campus below. At Panoramic Way, take a right and link up with the East-West Trail, which takes you deeper into the canyon. After a slight descent through a wooded section, take a left onto the connector trail that drops quickly to the Upper Jordan Fire Trail.

Woman walking her dog through a forest at Claremont Canyon in the East Bay

This section of the trail offers a glimpse of the back side of Claremont Canyon. After about 1.5 miles take a left onto Panoramic Way and follow the quiet street through woodlands. At the T-intersection, take a right and then a left to access the Clark Kerr Trail (marked by a few dog water dishes). The hillside should soon be blooming with California poppies.

Woman sitting on a bench with her dog overlooking a view of the San Francisco Bay

At the peak, you're rewarded with uninterrupted vistas of the Bay and San Francisco's skyline. Take it all in at the bench, then take a left and continue into the woods and over a small footbridge; this trail leads back to your final descent on Stonewall Panoramic Trail.

Limited parking can be found on Stonewall Rd. off Claremont Ave. Because much of the climbing section is exposed, this hike is best for cooler days. No water or restrooms are available. Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. All right, Almaden!

    Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

    View
  2. Waterfalls and Wine Pours

    Cooler temps, green hills, and the return of our magnificent waterfalls! This family-friendly 2-mile hike at Uvas Canyon County Park in Morgan Hill is a great way to get the most out of a short hike post-rain.

    View
  3. Woman hiker is climbing up the ladder in the Steep Ravine section of the Dipsea Loop Trail on Mount Tam

    Misty on Mount Tam

    Mount Tam’s 3.9-mile round-trip Steep Ravine and Dipsea Trail Loop weathers the wets and wilds with some confidence, sheltered in parts by redwoods, and wowing with a waterfall.

    View
  4. Mile-Long Cataract Club

    In winter after heavy rains, the north flank of Mount Tam glows with flows. The nearly mile-long series of waterfalls—Cataract Falls—transforms into a supercharged spectacle. Starting at Alpine Dam, a 1.6 mile (one-way) narrow trails threads through redwoods and ferns along Cataract Creek.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Peace Labyrinth

    Hidden in LA’s historic West Adams district, the Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens is a welcome respite from the norms of urban noise.

    View
  2. Weekend Sherpa Podcast: Take It Outside

    Adventure for your earbuds. What's new in the world of the outdoors? Listen to Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss local hikes, beaches, bike rides, camping spots and all kinds of travel and adventure in California and beyond!

    View
  3. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

    View
  4. People gathered around a tree at an LA Park as part of the Tree Tour led by Stephanie Carrie

    LA's Tree Tour

    Los Angeles is famous for its iconic palm trees but did you know that LA is home to one of the most diverse urban forests in the world? With over 1,000 different tree species lining its streets, LA offers a unique urban canopy waiting to be explored. One of the best ways to discover it is by joining a Tree Tour

    View