Sobrante Ridge Regional Preserve

Yesterday we took a hike in the Sobrante Ridge, starting at the Heavenly Trail. I've been in this park 3 times now and will post later about my other visits. It's a hidden gem, tucked away in suburbia. My sister-in-law lives just 4 or 5 blocks from the Heavenly trail entrance and one of my best friends can stand in her front yard and see the Morningside entrance. You go from the flats up to the ridge, so there are substantial uphill grades at the beginning - it's worth it! On this hike, we went to the Manzanita Loop to check out the endangered Alameda manzanitas. You'd never know you were about a block from civilization until you go around the bend and look down to see a guy washing his car (which he should NOT have been doing in the drought) just below you. After the loop, we hiked up to the ridge where the Manzanita and Ridge trails intersect. There are picnic tables in a few choice spots in the park, mostly where there are great views. This time we only hiked about a mile and a half but the hills gave me a workout.

Park map here.

Complete photo set here.