East Bay Regional Park District Briones Regional Park

2537 Reliez Valley Rd, Martinez, CA 94553, United States

The Briones Regional Park is a protected preserve in the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) system surrounded by the towns of central Contra Costa County with its rolling grassy hills and secluded, quiet canyons. Although the park is close to Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Concord, and Martinez, there are peaks within it from which you can see for miles in every direction just park and watershed lands. Through Briones Peak, the highest point in the park, there are panoramic views to the east through 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 Regional Wilderness.

PLEASE NOTE:

Dogs must be on leash (maximum six feet) at all times in the following areas: the Tavan Trail (all), the Diablo View Trail between 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. Such areas needed for leashing are indicated by signs inside the park.

Briones ' 6,255 acres of park features are home to many animals and birds that 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 animals if you're lucky. Wildflower displays are spectacular in season. Naturalists from the Park District also lead walks to see the natural and historical aspects of the park.

Park Activities Briones is a perfect park for hiking, biking and horseback riding on the scenic trails of the park; picnicking, bird watching and the like; and casual entertainment 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 between Orinda and Lafayette, which are the two most developed.

The three camping areas of Group Camping Briones Regional Park— Wee-Ta-Chi, Maud Whalen and Homestead Valley-may be reserved by calling 1-888-EBPARKS or (1-888-327-2757), pressing option 2 or writing to EBRPD Reservations, 2950 Peralta Oaks Road, P.O. Box 5381, Oakland, CA 94605-0381. Bookings must be made at least 5 days in advance.