Briones is a secret wilderness surrounded by the towns of central Contra Costa County, with its rolling grassy hills and secluded, shady canyons. While the park is adjacent to Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Concord, and Martinez, there are peaks within it from where you can see for miles in any direction, just forest and stream lands. From Briones Mountain, the highest point in the park, there are panoramic views to the east from Mount Diablo and the Diablo Valley, to the north from the Sacramento River and Delta, to the west from the East Bay and Mt. Tamalpais, and to the south from Las Trampas National Wilderness.
Dogs will still stay on lead (max. six feet) in the following areas: the Tavan Trail (all), the Diablo View Trail from the Alhambra Creek Trail and the Hidden Pond Trail, the Alhambra Creek Trail from the Alhambra Creek Staging Area south to the water trough, and the Orchard Trail from the Alhambra Creek Trail to the Briones Road Gate west. These areas required for leashing are indicated by signage inside the park.
The 6,255 acres of Briones are home to numerous animals and birds who forage on the grasslands or find shelter among the oaks and bays. You can see black-tailed deer, coyotes, squirrels, red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, and other, more reclusive species if you're fortunate. Wildflower shows are spectacular in season. Naturalists from the Park District often conduct walks to see the natural and historical features of the park.
Briones is an excellent location for biking, cycling and riding on the beautiful paths of the location; picnicking, bird watching and the like; and casual activities such as kite flying, photography and nature research. There are five major access points including the Alhambra Creek Valley Staging Area off Reliez Valley Road near Martinez and the Bear Creek Road Staging Area near Orinda and Lafayette, which are the two most developed.
The three camping areas of Briones Regional Park-Wee-Ta-Chi, Maud Whalen and Homestead Valley-can be reserved by calling 1-888-EBPARKS or (1-888-327-2757), pressing choice 2 or writing to EBRPD Reservations, 2950 Peralta Oaks Road, P.O. Box 5381, Oakland, CA 94605-0381. Bookings will be taken at least 5 days in advance.
The archery range of Briones Archers is accessible from the west-side entrance of the Bear Creek Path, off the Crescent Ridge Route.
Briones Regional Park offers a number of first-come, first-served picnic sites in the Bear Creek Staging Area and the Alhambra Creek Staging Area, with tables and barbecue stands. At the Bear Creek Staging Point, the park also has two bigger, reservable community picnic areas: Oak Grove, which can host 50 guests, and Newt Hollow, which carries 150. Alhambra Creek Staging Area has a new , fully accessible, 50-person reservable picnic site, Crow.
Cows and calves are following in the fields of Tabletop, Spengler, Blue Oak, Buckeye, Sunrise and Lafayette Hill. Yearling cattle are found in the trail areas of Deer Stream, Pereirra, Valley and Briones Crest.
This amazing attraction is located near the following must-see sights in Walnut Creek, California:
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Mount Diablo State Park
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Las Trampas Regional Wilderness Park
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The Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery
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Lindsay Wildlife Experience
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The Gardens at Heather Farm
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Heather Farm Park
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Iron Horse Regional Trail
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Diablo Foothills Regional Park
All of these wonderful attractions are located just a short distance from our location at 1261 Locust Street in Walnut Creek, California!
