Briones is a hidden wilderness surrounded by the towns of central Contra Costa County, with its rolling, grassy hills and secluded, shady canyons. While Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Concord, and Martinez are close to the park, there are peaks within it from which you can see only park and watershed land in every direction for miles.
There are panoramic views of Mount Diablo and the Diablo Valley from Briones Peak, the highest point in the park, to the east, the Sacramento River and Delta to the north, the East Bay hills and Mt. Tamalpais to the west, and the Regional Wilderness of Las Trampas to the south.
To Reach The Park
Exit Highway 24 at the Orinda/Camino Pablo exit to enter the Bear Creek Staging Area on Bear Creek Lane, and head toward Richmond. On Bear Creek Road, turn right and drive 5 miles to the right-hand staging area.
This amazing attraction is located near the following must-see parks in Orinda, California:
- Orinda Oaks Park
- Orinda Community Center Park & Tennis Courts
- Briones Overlook Staging Area
- Siesta Valley Recreation Area
- Old San Pablo Trail
- Seaview Trailhead
- Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve Labyrinth
- Tilden Regional Park
All of these landmarks are located just a short distance from our location in downtown Walnut Creek, Spaulding Concrete on Locust Street!
The 6,255 acres of Briones are home to many animals and birds that forage among the oaks and bays on the grasslands or find shelter. You could see black-tailed deer, coyotes, squirrels, red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, and more reclusive animals, if you’re lucky. There are spectacular seasonal wildflower shows. Naturalists of the Park District also lead walks to see the natural and historic features of the park.
Briones is a perfect park for hiking, running and horseback riding on the scenic trails of the park; picnicking, birdwatching and similar activities; and casual leisure such as kite flying, photography and study of nature. The Alhambra Creek Valley Staging Area off Reliez Valley Road near Martinez and the Bear Creek Road Staging Area near Orinda and Lafayette are the five key access points, the two most developed of which are.
In the Bear Creek Staging Area and the Alhambra Creek Staging Area, Briones Regional Park has a variety of first-come, first-served picnic sites with tables and barbecue stands. At the Bear Creek Staging Area, the park also has two larger, reservable community picnic areas: Oak Grove, which can host 50 people, and Newt Hollow, which holds 150. A modern, 50-person reservable picnic spot, Crow, is completely accessible in the Alhambra Creek Staging Area.
