Sugarloaf Open Space

Sugarloaf Open Space has a 177-acre land with  3 miles of trails, Ranger Station, picnic, amphitheatre, and party camping by reservation. It is situated along the southern Walnut Creek Interstate 680. It is a tiny natural place with one of the city’s few black walnut orchards. The ridgeline provides views of Mount Diablo, Shell Mountain and Hill Las Trampas. There are several picnic areas, a native plant habitat, and an amphitheatre, as well as opportunities for many short walks.

Groups will reserve the picnic areas and amphitheatre for day use and overnight camping.

Sugarloaf Hill Ridge Top Trail is a moderately trafficked 5.5 kilometer back and forth trail located near Walnut Creek, California which offers scenic views and is graded as moderate. The trail is used mainly for climbing, cycling, nature trips and birding, and is best used from April through October. 

Bottom Spring Trail is a moderately trafficked 5.3 kilometer back and forth trail located near Walnut Creek, California which features beautiful wild flowers and is graded as mild. The path provides a range of events, and is open during the year. 

Sugarloaf Recreation Area occupies 177 acres of open land and around an upper ridge line with views of Mt. Diablo, Shell Mountain, Las Trampas Range and the Briones Hills. You will also find:

There is also a 15 acre Black Walnut orchard on the preserve which provides shelter and shade for wildlife. A Creekway that provides a thick canopy for wildlife and environmental research areas with riparian vegetation.

Picnic and group picnic areas, rest rooms, extensive hiking and horse-riding trails (with access to Rudgear Park and Shell Ridge Open Space). Although the land is heavily grazed, its parks, orchards and outbuildings give a snapshot of what a working ranch is like. And, as you climbed up the hill and looked over the line between houses and open land, it was easy to see how the county and the community have both split together since the 1970s with their planning policies. For that, Walnut Creekers should have their patriarchs and matriarchs looking forward.

This is a fantastic dry, cool-weather walk. The air is fresh with simple views and for living in such an amazingly beautiful location you should have countless moments of appreciation.