The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), which has a business address at 375 11th Street in Oakland, CA, oversees the Siesta Valley Recreation Area. The recreation area of the Siesta Valley takes the shape of an immense series of rolling hills, often in the form of grassy meadows, with scenic eucalyptus groves situated here and there. There is one main trail, which can best be reached by parking in the Little Train parking lot.
Most people in the East Bay, particularly people living in Oakland or Berkeley, know the Little Train well. If you have parked near the Little Train, the Bay Area Ridge Trail is best accessed by hiking south to the Siesta Valley Recreation Area. You’ll arrive at the Scott’s Peak Trailhead after about 20 minutes. Since it takes the shape of a well-groomed dirt track, the trail is easy to find and easy to follow. The high quality and distinct design of this dirt road trail is close to that of the East Ridge Trail, located a few miles south of the Siesta Valley Recreation Area in Redwood Regional Park.
Main Features
The walk from the western trailhead (Scott’s Peak Trailhead) to the eastern trailhead takes about 90 minutes (located on Camino Pablo Avenue in Orinda, CA, just north of the Orinda BART station). What makes this hike appealing is:
A successful aerobic exercise opportunity.
Nice views of distant Mount Diablo and the attractive sight of dense, low-hanging blankets of cloud cover that obscure the view of the towns between Orinda and Mount Diablo on occasion.
- The stunning sculptural features of the rolling hills that you’ll see along the entire trail throughout your walk.
- A chance to see the occasional deer.
- Wildflowers and trees, such as Teasel Fuller.
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
- Old San Pablo Trail
- Seaview Trailhead
- Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve Labyrinth
- Bear Creek Staging Area
- 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!
On your walk in the Siesta Valley Recreation Area, the scenery and wild plants found are close to those found on hikes in the western half of Las Trampas in the Castro Valley. The rolling hills that are largely bare of vegetation, the absence of crowds of other hikers, and the need to bring an EBMUD hiking pass are close to this portion of Las Trampas and Siesta Valley Recreation Area.
The Siesta Valley is very peaceful. The contours of the land keep out city noise and highway noise. The path leads up and over the valley’s eastern wall at an elevation of around 1500 feet, then it’s a steep 1000-foot drop down to Orinda. That’s the view to the north. The cattle pond is there since these slopes are grazed by cattle.
Siesta Valley is a challenge to enter on foot, but as vehicles of all types are prohibited on EBMUD land, that’s your only option. This is an obscure piece of land that requires a permit, but it’s a beautiful location. With rocks!
