01
Best close-to-town views
Dublin Hills Regional Open Space Preserve
North Dublin Ridgeline • Open Ridgeline Preserve • Closest Big Views To Dublin
A quick drive from town leads to rolling green hills, big sky, and a ridge walk that feels much farther from the suburbs than it is.
Start from the Dublin Boulevard staging area and follow the Calaveras Ridge-style trails up toward Donlon Point for sweeping views over Dublin, Pleasanton, and Mount Diablo on clear days. The climbs are steady but not punishing, with wide fire roads that make it easy to hike side by side and chat. It is an ideal pick for a post-work leg-stretcher or a first taste of East Bay hill hiking without a long drive.
02
Best full-day outing
Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park
South Of Dublin Toward Pleasanton • Long Forested Ridge Park • Best All-Day Ridge Hike
Miles of interconnected trails trace a high ridge with oak groves, open meadows, and enough elevation gain to keep strong hikers honest.
From the Foothill Road entrances, you can climb steeply to the main ridge, then wander for hours along rolling singletrack and fire roads with views over both the Tri-Valley and Sunol hills. Shadier pockets of oak woodland make this a better option for warmer days, especially if you start early. It is a go-to choice when you want a route that can be as short or as long as your legs and water supply allow.
03
Best rugged challenge
Las Trampas Regional Wilderness
Northwest, Above San Ramon • Steep Canyon Wilderness • Best Workout With Shade
Las Trampas delivers steep climbs, rocky outcrops, and surprisingly wild-feeling canyons just a short hop from Dublin.
Trailheads off Bollinger Canyon Road lead straight into stout climbs that quickly reward you with views over the San Ramon and Tri-Valley corridors. Expect narrow, sometimes rutted paths, pockets of shade in the canyons, and more solitude than you might guess given the nearby suburbs. This is the spot to choose when you want your hike to feel like a proper workout without driving to the Sierra foothills.
04
Best big-sky foothills
Brushy Peak Regional Preserve
Northeast Of Dublin Near Livermore • Rolling Foothill Preserve • Best Wide-Open Panoramas
Gentle-to-moderate trails loop through open grasslands around a prominent volcanic peak with sweeping views of the Livermore Valley.
Brushy Peak's loops weave around the base of the peak through wide-open terrain that feels especially dramatic in spring's green season and during golden late-summer evenings. Wind is almost guaranteed, which keeps things comfortable on warmer days and adds to the wild, big-sky feel. It is a solid choice when you want straightforward navigation, broad views, and plenty of room to spread out on the trail.
05
Best near-backcountry feel
Sunol Regional Wilderness
Southeast Of Dublin Near Sunol • Backcountry-Style Creek Canyon • Best Taste Of Backcountry Near Town
Sunol's network of canyon and ridge trails offers creek crossings, rocky outcrops, and long vistas that feel much more remote than the drive suggests.
From the main Sunol staging area, you can follow mellow paths along Alameda Creek or commit to steeper climbs toward Flag Hill and the higher ridges. In wet years, the creek is a highlight, with small cascades and shaded stretches that feel a world away from I-680. Pick this when you have a half-day or more and want a hike that feels like a mini escape to the backcountry without leaving the East Bay.