Orinda Original

Do a short urban hike to big views in Orinda Oaks Park

12.10.2025
A woman looks out to the scenery while standing next to a bench on a high point on a hike in Orinda Oaks Park in the East Bay

This 3.5-mile out-and-back through Orinda Oaks Park and Moraga offers scenic vistas right inside the city.

Two people walking a wide and flat trail at Orinda Oaks Park in the East Bay

A woman walks her dog with views of the foothills in Orinda Oaks Park in the East Bay Contra Costa County

Start at the Orinda Oaks parking lot and head uphill on the Ridge Trail, a winding dirt path that quickly gains elevation as you pass enormous thistle flowers lining the route.

A woman hiker stops to smell the giant thistleflower on a hiking trail in Contra Costa County

Continue up toward Donald Drive. (It’s handy to use an online map here, as the official route is not the most obvious one.) Once you’ve reached Donald Drive, savor the view of the valley below.

Turn right to walk along Donald Drive. Both Orinda Oaks Park and neighboring Mulholland Ridge Open Space are leash-optional areas, making this a dog-lover’s paradise! Enjoy walking alongside several fur-friends as you stroll far above Moraga. To the east, colossal Mount Diablo dominates the skyline.

In a mile, the road makes a hairpin turn. After soaking up views of nearby vineyards, turn around and retrace the route back to Orinda Oaks Park. Here you’ll find a picnic area beside a bocce court and horseshoe pit. Enjoy a packed lunch before heading back to the parking lot.

The Orinda Oaks parking lot is located on Moraga Ave. in Orinda. Map. Dog-friendly!

Story and photos by Heather Werner, @heath.er.wer.ner

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories

  1. Purely Purisima

    Take a relaxing hike on the lower section of Purisiima Creek Trail in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve.

    View

  2. Been There, Dome That

    Surrounded by granite domes, craggy peaks, and miles of hiking trails, the High Sierra landscape of Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park is famous for good reason. For a truly grand view, take a short hike to bold—and bald (except for snow at times)—Lembert Dome.

    View

  3. Wapama Wows

    Hetch Hetchy can be overlooked in Yosemite National Park because of its more remote location and limited facilities. But this is where you’ll also find one of the best day hikes in the park: Wapama Falls.

    View
  4. Sponsored

    Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

    The San Francisco Peninsula is proof that some of Northern California’s greatest surprises are hiding just off Highway 101. All you have to do is take the exit.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories

  1. Ballona Beach Hopper

    This easygoing bike escape is proof that you don't have to drive for hours to feel the vast benefits of nature. The Ballona Creek Bike Path is part of the “Park to Playa Regional Trail,” a 13-mile network connecting parks and open spaces from Baldwin Hills to the Pacific Ocean.

    View

  2. Lookout Ahead!

    A 3.7-mile loop hike to Boucher Hill Fire Lookout in Palomar Mountain State Park reminds us just how stunningly beautiful are the mountains of this remote, lightly visited portion of northern San Diego County.

    View

  3. A Thousand Steps to Paradise

    A picture is worth a thousand words, but is a gorgeous beach in Laguna worth a thousand steps? The answer is yes, though the question is moot, because it’s only 223 steep steps down to the 400-yard stretch of sand known as 1000 Steps Beach.

    View
  4. Strawberry Peak Lookout Hike

    Strawberry Sunday

    The 2.5-mile (round-trip) lollipop loop climb to the Strawberry Peak Fire Lookout near the town of Lake Arrowhead dishes up some delicious views.

    View