Creek, Peak, and Poppies!

See the Wildflowers at Redwood Regional Park in the East Bay

Combine newly blooming wildflowers and fresh flowing streams with staple redwoods and scenic ridges on this 6.8-mile hike in Redwood Regional Park.

Start at the Skyline Staging Gate Area and follow the Stream Trail into the valley below. Redwood Creek soon greets you as you descend through a mixture of oak and pine stands and trail-hugging flowers like the woodland strawberry and the large hound’s tongue. Shortly after passing Girls Camp, find yourself surrounded by redwoods and ground-covering ferns.

Take a listen to the medley of the creek and forest sounds. After about 3 miles, you get to Fern Dell and the Orchard—a clearing with picnic benches. Continue up Canyon Trail to the East Ridge Trail. At the top of Canyon Trail take a left onto East Ridge Trail to begin your hike back, soaking in big-picture views of the surrounding hills and the valley below while enjoying close-ups of wildflowers like the California poppy and the golden eggs suncup.

The Skyline Staging Gate Area has limited parking but street parking is allowed. Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Napa's Art of the Matter

    Downtown Napa uncorks more than just excellent wine. Art has firmly established itself along the walkways and parkways in the area, punctuated by an annual ArtWalk (year-round) and a temporary Lighted Art Festival.

    View
  2. Hidden Long Ridge

    After heavy rains, the rolling headwaters of Peters Creek in Long Ridge Open Space Preserve pulsate along the forest floor via a series of small waterfalls that cut grooves in sandstone boulders. See it on a 4.5-mile loop hike starting from the Grizzly Flat parking lot.

    View
  3. True Star Power

    Here's a truly enlightening way to spend an evening: head to Robert Ferguson Observatory in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park for a "star party." At dusk, the observatory opens, giving the public access to celestial viewing via three powerful telescopes.

    View
  4. Hike Artdoors

    Add a little color to your new year. This 3-mile loop through the Montalvo Arts Center mixes the beauty of the natural world with local artists’ creations.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. 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
  2. Sponsored

    Mini Guide to Reno Tahoe’s Lodging and Dining

    So, you’re going to Reno Tahoe for some time in nature, and some time in nurture? Excellent choice. The fun and wonder of Reno Tahoe is the easy part.

    View
  3. A woman stands at Dante's View in Death Valley, looking out to Telescope Peak and Manly Lake, Badwater Basin below.

    Sunset Hike at Dante's View

    It’s one of the world’s best places to watch a sunset. Dante’s View is a 5,476-foot vantage of the whole southern basin of Death Valley from the top of the Black Mountains. On clear days you get views of both the highest and lowest points in the contiguous U.S. 

    View
  4. White Tank Campground for Stargazing

    Heaven for star buffs: the best campground in Joshua Tree National Park for night-sky viewing, in a place named an International Dark Sky Park, with a full-on observatory just minutes away! White Tank Campground is at 3,800 feet in the eastern part of the park.

    View