Recognized as one of California’s hidden gems, Mount Diablo in the Bay Area of Northern California offers breathtaking scenery. On a clear day, most visitors head to the state park’s summit, which is 3,849 feet high, for panoramic views of the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge in the west, the Santa Cruz Mountains in the south, Mount Saint Helena in the north, and even the Sierra Nevadas to the east. From here, you can see over 8,500 square miles and 40 California counties.
Though California boasts taller mountains, Mount Diablo’s unique blend of rolling hills and flat valleys ensures unparalleled views. The Summit Visitor Center, built in the 1930s from sandstone (complete with embedded ancient marine fossils), is open every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s the perfect starting point for newcomers, offering information about hiking trails, as well as the mountain’s history and culture, with various exhibits and staff available to answer questions.
After visiting the center, climb the circular stairway to the observation deck for the iconic views. Then, explore “Rock City,” about a mile north of the south gate. This kid-friendly area features large sandstone formations and wind-carved caves, perfect for exploring safely. Don’t miss the Native American grinding rocks and “Sentinel Rock,” which can be climbed with ease thanks to carved steps and railings.
In spring, head to the Mitchell Canyon area on the north side of the mountain, famed for its wildflowers. For more stunning views, visit an overlook near Juniper Campground to see the Golden Gate Bridge.
Spanning over 20,000 acres, Mount Diablo State Park offers plenty of space to explore. You can grab free maps and brochures suggesting hikes at the Summit Visitor Center to plan your adventure.
**Notable Trails:**
– *Eagle Peak Trail*: One of the park’s favorite trails, this 7-mile challenging hike rewards hikers with stunning views. In spring, wildflowers line the path, making it a popular choice for avid runners. The trail begins at Mitchell Canyon Fire Road, turns left onto Eagle Peak Trail, and after 2 miles with a 1,000-foot elevation gain, you’ll arrive at Twin Peaks. Continue a bit further on the Mitchell Rock Trail, which ends at Eagle Peak Trail, leading to Eagle Peak’s summit, roughly 1,800 feet above your starting point.
– *Mount Diablo Summit from Mitchell Canyon*: For those preferring to hike over driving to the summit, venture past Eagle Peak to tackle the 13-mile trail. After reaching Eagle Peak, continue on North Peak Trail to Summit Trail, finishing with a demanding climb to the visitor center.
– *Mary Bowerman Interpretive Trail*: This easy 0.7-mile path, previously called the Fire Interpretive Trail, begins about 500 feet below the summit parking lot. Pick up a pamphlet at the visitor center to identify the plants and birds you’ll encounter. The trail’s first section to the Ransom Point overlook is paved and wheelchair-accessible.
– *Donner Creek Loop Trail*: A moderate 5.2-mile adventure featuring waterfalls and open to horseback riding. Start at the Regency Drive trailhead, proceed on Donner Canyon Road, and then turn left onto Cardinet Oaks Road. After crossing the creek, follow the service road to a marked turnoff on the right, venturing into the canyon.
**Camping Options:**
Mount Diablo State Park provides three campgrounds, a group site, and a dedicated horse campground. Each site includes picnic tables, fire rings, and grills, with access to drinking water and toilets. You can book campsites up to six months in advance via Reserve California. Given the high altitude, it can turn cold and windy at night, even during summer, so pack layers.
– *Live Oak Campground*: Located about a mile from the South Gate Entrance, Live Oak has two sites at $30 per night and is the lowest-elevation campground, closest to “Rock City” formations.
– *Junction Campground*: With six first-come, first-served sites at $30 per night, arrive early to secure a spot. Situated at the crossroads of South Gate and North Gate Roads, the campground sits in a serene woodland.
– *Juniper Campground*: The park’s only campground with showers, featuring 31 sites at 3,000 feet, offering stunning views at $30 per night.
– *Group Campgrounds*: Accommodating 20 to 50 people, these five tent-only sites range from $65 to $165 per night. The Barbecue Terrace horse camp offers ties and space for up to 50 people.
**Getting There:**
With entrances on both North Gate and South Gate Roads, you can choose to stay in Walnut Creek, Concord, or Danville. Alternatively, consider Berkeley, Oakland, or San Francisco for your stay to explore other attractions. San Francisco is about a 90-minute drive to the summit, while Oakland is just over an hour, depending on traffic.
Located in Contra Costa County’s East Bay Area, the journey to Mount Diablo is as picturesque as the destination. The drive to the summit, 3,800 feet high, is an adventure in itself with its winding roads and sharp turns. Keep an eye out for cyclists along the way, as the route is popular yet lacks designated bike lanes. There are many turnouts to accommodate cyclists.
Although only 10 miles from Walnut Creek, the drive’s curves and the necessity of sharing the road with cyclists extend the trip to 30-45 minutes. Most visitors enter through the North Gate Road Entrance, but the park is also accessible via South Gate Road Entrance. Both routes charge a $10 entrance fee per vehicle.
Another option is to start at Mitchell Canyon Staging Area or the Macedo Ranch Staging Area. Parking here costs $6, but these areas do not offer driving access to the summit.
The park includes accessible parking, ground-level entry, and a restroom near the Visitor Center. While the park once offered an elevator at the Visitor Center, it’s currently closed indefinitely. The Juniper Campground has three accessible campsites with appropriate parking and bathroom facilities, and an accessible picnic area with tables and barbecues is near the lower summit parking lot. The Mitchell Canyon Interpretive Center is equipped with a ramped entry and designated accessible parking, though the surface is gravel.
