Parks in Walnut Creek
Acalanes Ridge is located on the northwestern edge of Walnut Creek above the Interstate 680 and Highway 24 intersection. It is a relatively small natural area serving as a greenbelt between Walnut Creek and Lafayette. The ridgeline provides incredible 360 degree views with the Carquinez Strait and delta to the north and Mount Diablo to the southeast. There are a number of short hiking opportunities with four miles of trails including a hidden sylvan creek and spectacular spring wildflowers. The starting elevation is 380 feet and ending at Sugarloaf summit is 520 feet. The trails are dog-friendly. There is limited parking and no facilities.
This is a 26 acre park open from dawn to dusk. There are walking trails. Amenities include a childrens playground area, barbecue pits, picnic tables, soccer field, tennis courts, restrooms and orchard.
The 102 acre park has walking trails (Iron Horse Trail), bike paths, fishing pond, nature pond and restrooms.
This 13 acre park has walking trails, childrens play areas, picnic areas, restrooms, a sand volleyball court, swimming, tennis. Larkey Park is also home to the Lindsay Wildlife Museum and the Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society.
This protected land has over 2700 acres of oak woodlands, grassland savannah and chaparral and is one of the largest city owned open spaces in the Bay Area. The land is home to Lime Ridge (chaparral). Mountain biking (on paved trails or dirt trails over 8 feet wide) are available in the open space. Street parking is available. There are no restrooms or drinking water.
This mountain state park is a total of 19,000 acres of oak woodland, grassland and chaparral with knobcone, digger and Coulter pine as well as wildflowers. It has a 3,849 foot summit. There is an extensive trail system for hiking, bicycles and horseback riding with wildlife and sandstone rock formations and small caves and fossils. They have an observation deck with telescopes.
The Sugarloaf Shell Ridge Trail is at the Youngs Valley Road entrance to the park.
It is a small natural area with one of the last black walnut orchards in the city. The ridgeline provides views of Mount Diablo, Shell Ridge, and Las Trampas Ridge. Along with opportunities for several short hikes, there are several picnic areas, a native plant garden, and an amphitheater. The recommended trail is Bridle Lane to Sugarloaf Hill. The starting elevation is 380 feet and ending at Sugarloaf summit is 520 feet.