Our destination today is Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park. It sits atop a high ridge straddling the bustle of Oakland and the quiet town of Moraga. It’s just a 25 minute drive from my house, and although it is minutes from the big city, it is world’s away in feel. If you come from the East, Moraga, you come up Pinehurst Rd and the Redwood Highway through a crazy cool little “hidden” town of Canyon. You can drive through there on the way to the Park, or on the way back out, depending on which direction you start from. There’s some history there in Canyon that goes back to the founding of California, but that’s for another discussion. Suffice to say that the roads are so lightly travelled, that the detritus from the oaks and redwoods barely gets swept away by car traffic. But on weekends it can attract bicyclists, so share the road! But the destination and star here is Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park and once you’ve hiked here, you’ll know why we go back any time we need a refresh from City life.
The Road to Take: Starting from Highway 24 near Lafayette, take Moraga Rd South into the town of Moraga, and continue on as the road turns into Canyon Way as you pass Moraga Way (at which intersection you will find etc Canyon Club Brewery). Continue to the intersection of Pinehurst Rd and turn right. This a a beautiful drive through redwood trees, and you’ll pass through Canyon and past the “Grampa Joes Filling Station” sign. Continue up this very windy road to the intersection the top of the ridge, where you’ll turn left onto Skyline Blvd and drive the short distance to the Skyline Gate of Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park.
When you leave here, or if you just drive and don’t do the hike option, you’ll head back right (North) on Skyline Blvd and turn right on Grizzly Peak Rd. These roads provide spectacular overlook views of the entire Bay Area, so you’ll have your best views of SF in the morning when the light is behind you, and some great sunset views later in the day. there are a few turnouts, but the ye tend to be on the opposite side of the rod, so be careful! Continue on Grizzly Peak to Fish Ranch Rd and take a right. This will take you down to Highway 24 either East or West. If you want to try the Fourth Bore Taproom, take Highway 24 East and use the Orinda exit (second exit). This entire route is only about 50 minutes, so you can just do the drive, or you can choose some other options below.
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What to Do: I like starting my hike from the Northern area at the Skyline gate to Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park. From the parking lot, you can go in several directions, so check out the trail map We like to hiked down the Stream trail (sort of looking south in the parking lot, it’s on your left) and get below. the Oak tree line into the Redwoods along what is a beautiful creek, although dry in the summer months. Noe that during the winter and spring is quite wet and you might get a few streams of water running across your trail. If you go here, spend several hours getting lost in the quiet solitude of the trees. I like hiking down the Stream Trail to the spot called “Trails End” then up the Chown Trail, which winds steeply back and forth up to the Ridge Tail. Ridge Trail is wide an open and will lead you back North to your parking spot. French Trail and Fern Trail are also favorites.
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What to Eat: Depending on which end of the proposed drive you start and end on, you can eat at any one of a few ideas. There are many great spots in Lafayette, Orinda, and Moraga. My favorites for a day like this are the Canyon Club Brewery in Moraga, Sideboard in Lafayette, or the Fourth Bore in Orinda. I’m a big fan of a good patio and fine hand-crafted beers, so my favorite pick would be the Canyon Club Brewery which features super nice people, a great owner and brewmaster, a broad selection of hand-crafted beers, and a great back patio to lounge on around big concrete fire pits. If you tend toward the more organic menus, try Sideboard in Lafayette for the delicious breakfast salad or the perfectly crafted Chicken salad sandwich for lunch. And of course, the Buttermilk Biscuit Chicken Sliders at The Social Bird may be my favorite bite anywhere. The BBQ Smokehouse burger at the Fourth Bore Taphouse is worth a trip all by itself.
Adult Beverage option: If you’re not the driver, enjoy the Hustle Culture India Pale Lager or Star Sailor Dry Irish Nitro Stout at Canyon Club. Over at the Fourth Bore in Orinda, guest taps from places like Morgan Territory Brewery, Russian River Brewing Co, Fort Pointe Beer Company will make you happy. Great patio as well! he bartender at the Social Bird is excellent, and the Farm Fresh cocktail is a favorite: always made with whatever is seasonal-fresh fruit.
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