01
Best close-to-town sunset walk
Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve
Mare Island, West Side Of Vallejo • Historic Bayfront Preserve With Bluff-Top Trails • Easy In-Town Escape
A mellow network of bluff trails with wide-open bay views, naval history, and some of the best sunsets in Vallejo.
If you only have an hour or two and don’t want to leave town, Mare Island’s shoreline is hard to beat. The main paths wander above the Carquinez Strait with views of Mount Tam, passing old military structures and quiet picnic spots. Expect mostly gentle grades and exposed sun, so a hat and wind layer are useful even on mild days.
02
Best car-free bay views
Vallejo–Benicia Waterfront via Bay Area Ridge Trail
Vallejo And Benicia Waterfronts • Paved And Gravel Shoreline Path Between Two Small Downtowns • Scenic Out-And-Back Or Point-To-Point
A shoreline route that strings together piers, marshland, and strait views, ideal for a long walk with only gentle climbing.
Starting near Vallejo’s waterfront and following the Bay Area Ridge Trail corridor toward Benicia, this route stays close to the water almost the entire way. You get constant ship, bridge, and marsh views, with benches and pocket parks where you can stop for a break or snack. Make it an easy out-and-back from either end, or set up a car shuttle and turn it into a relaxed point-to-point day.
03
Best half-day hill workout
Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline
Crockett And Port Costa, South Of Vallejo • Ridgetop And Shoreline Park With Big-Bridge Vistas • Best For Views And Elevation Gain
Rolling singletrack above the Carquinez Strait with long views of bridges, trains, and the patchwork hills of two counties.
This park feels surprisingly wild considering how close it is to refinery stacks and freeways. Climb from Crockett into open, grassy ridges and you’re quickly rewarded with sweeping views of the Carquinez Bridge, the strait, and the Delta to the east. Loops can be tailored from a brisk 3-mile climb to a longer half-day linking ridges and oak draws, with very little shade, so start early in warm weather.
04
Best spring wildflower hills
Lynch Canyon Open Space
Between Vallejo And Fairfield • Working-Ranch Open Space With Creek And Ridge Trails • Quiet Weekend Escape
Cattle-grazed hills, a small reservoir, and ridge lines that feel much farther from town than the drive suggests.
Lynch Canyon delivers classic Solano County scenery: wide hills, dotted oaks, and long sightlines back toward San Pablo Bay. Trails range from mellow creekside rambles to sustained climbs that will test your legs, especially on warm afternoons. It’s particularly pretty in late winter and spring, when the grass is green, wildflowers pop along the slopes, and the breeze keeps the climbs comfortable.
05
Most varied terrain
Rockville Hills Regional Park
Rockville Area, West Of Fairfield • Rocky Oak-Woodland Park With Small Lakes And Viewpoints • Best Mix Of Short And Steep Routes
A tight trail network weaving through lava rock outcrops, shaded draws, and small ponds, with options from kid-friendly strolls to leg-burning climbs.
Rockville Hills is the spot when you want more of a ‘trail system’ experience, with lots of junctions and the chance to improvise loops. Expect rocky footing in places, short but steep pitches, and a mix of shaded forested pockets and open knolls with views toward Green Valley and beyond. It’s easy to build anything from a mellow hour-long loop to a multi-hour wander without repeating much trail.