Find out about parking, restrictions, and conditions on the Website >>. A Canadian man drives a stranded American family 1,000 miles to Alaska. (Big kids will love to take part, too!) In the Little Yosemite area at Sunol Wilderness Regional Park, hikers climb among the rocks to catch views of small waterfalls and churning pools. Today, camping, picnickin… All rights reserved. Bring plenty of water and wear sunscreen as it can get hot here. Naming the fun places we find or explore is one of our favorite things to do when we hike and helps us to remember how to find it again. adventures detours family hikes kid-friendly Little Yosemite sunol wildflowers. The Sunol Regional Wilderness, part of the East Bay Regional Park District, is a great place for many different students of nature and lovers of the outdoors. If you have done this hike before, what was your favorite part? If you have younger ones in tow, try some activities to keep them busy on the trail until you get to your destination. There is NO swimming allowed in Alameda Creek and trespassing is prohibited on Water Department … Now is the perfect time to go since we’ve gotten some rain and the waterfalls are full and streaming. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Know … Impatient visitors will quickly see how this trail earned its name as it is filled with beautiful marshes, waterfalls, and wading areas nestled between rocks. Plan your weekend and your summer vacation: daily articles and a weekend planner help you find what’s fun and free when you need it. SUNOL, CA – If you've never made the hike to the Little Yosemite Area in the Sunol Regional Wilderness park, then you are missing out on this scenic vista, recently photographed by … Sunol Regional Wilderness – Little Yosemite Sunol Regional Wilderness – Little Yosemite. Little Yosemite, a scenic gorge on Alameda Creek in Sunol Regional Wilderness, might not be so grand, but it’s a lot closer to home. Follow Mishi B. on instagram as @MelaninMommy. We like to take this trail because it’s near the streams and you’ll get to take in more nature. The entire trail is about two miles but the best part is that we don’t have to walk far to … Turn right on Calaveras and proceed to Geary Road, which leads directly into the park. We like to stretch just after the gate and the kids join in too. This is a great place to get a snack and explore with the kids. amzn_assoc_asins = "1721221999"; Sunol Regional Wilderness: Indian Joe to Canyon View With Wildflowers! Continue hiking on the trail left of the streams. Canyon View Trail to Little Yosemite - California | AllTrails All of the campsites at Sunol Regional Wilderness require at least a short walk of 60 – 100 feet from the parking lot, with more out-on-your-own … I did the loop with my daughter in her carrier. Explore these best attractions, sightseeing spots, fun activities, and other handpicked places to visit in Sunol on this weekend. We’re thrilled to feature guest writer, Mishi B, owner and author of Hey Carter! The rocks are big and can be tricky to navigate. Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve. The Little Yosemite is fun to explore for little people and grownups alike. If you do this, you’ll get to see some secluded waterfall and stream areas. Thanks so much to Mishi B, author of Hey Carter! Little Yosemite is known for its waterfalls and rock scrambling and it’s easy to get to. Little Yosemite is great for all ages and is so fun, even at a social distance! Little Yosemite is a scenic gorge with waterfalls within an hour of Oakland. This 8-mile, moderate loop is at times strenuous, with a total elevation gain of just over 1,200 feet. 4 photos. Children under 8 will need help climbing and getting down to the water. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "510famz-20"; This trail is wide and well graded, perfect for casual walkers or those with small kids in strollers. Sunol Park address: 1895 Geary Road Sunol, CA 94586 Directions: From Fremont - Head north on I-680 and exit at Calaveras Road. moderate (91) Length: 3.9 mi • Est. Note that full-on “swimming” is NOT allowed in Alameda Creek in the Little Yosemite area. This is a great place to get a snack and explore with the kids. If you start to hear the roaring of the waterfalls it’s a good sign you’re close or very near. (You can’t go wrong with either path but the further you walk up, the higher you will need to climb down from to get to the waterfalls.) It's a short 2 miles upstream from the visitors center and is open 8am to dusk all year long. Here's how it looks to geology aficionados. There are some rolling hills, but nothing too daunting. amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; Drive Through Christmas Lights at Six Flags Vallejo, Last-minute, local, cool adventure gift is a pass to Quarry Park Adventures in Rocklin, We're seeking family fun for you every day, but please note that as of December 3, the Bay Area has entered a new Stay-At-Home order and some activities on this website may not be available. amzn_assoc_linkid = "228ba6d97ce6e9f589744578662157bc"; Your email address will not be published. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; We try to arrive before 10 am especially on weekends. Unfortunately, rather than taking in as much as possible of the Little Yosemite scenery, the ride starts the first serious climb by turning left just when you arrive there. Little Yosemite in Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve. One of the best opportunities for seeing them, along with peregrine falcons and other wildlife, is at Sunol Regional Wilderness in remote Alameda County east of Highway 680. Copyright © 2010 – 2020 by 510 FAMILIES INCcontact | RSS | privacy policy | giveaway policy. So the hike up was a bit tough for the kids, there is a bench halfway through under a shady tree. Come with me on a hike to a place called Little Yosemite in the Sunol Regional Wilderness. Books. Little Yosemite In Sunol Regional Wilderness Vandalized Bea Karnes 7/13/2020. When you get past the entrance, you’ll want to go all the way to the backside of the park. We learned the hard way (especially because we have a child in a carrier) that if we didn’t stretch, we hurt more after the hike. Little Yosemite is located in Sunol Regional Wilderness Park in Sunol, CA Little Yosemite is a scenic gorge on Alameda Creek about two miles … Sunol Regional Wilderness is the most rustic camping setting in the east bay and possibly the whole San Francisco Bay area. Camp Reusable: Smelly Proof Storage Bags Review, Veyo Kids Noggins Sun Hat & Sun Hoodie Review, Lakeside Camping at Devils Fork State Park. There will be sections where the trail will clear and you can get back on the fire road, but you can keep on the shaded trails as much as it allow you to. Little Yosemite in Sunol a scenic hike Canyon View Trail. Subscribe and receive a list of, family-friendly activities in the East Bay, Join Amazon Family 30-Day Free Trial (save 20% on diapers! Once you get to the bench resting area, you can head back on the fire road which will lead you to Little Yosemite. On a 3-mile round trip along the Canyon View Trail, you’ll traverse open meadows, walk through woodsy areas and … The best way to get to the jumble of huge boulders and waterfalls on Alameda Creek that constitutes... Town of Sunol. What the map did not say or what I probably failed to read was that it was an .85 incline mile hike on a dirt road with no trees as canopy. The East Bay Regional Park District (“EBRPD”) is currently preparing a 20-year Land Use Plan for Sunol and Ohlone Preserves, mapping the goals and future projects for the preserves. To get to the area, you have to enter Sunol Regional Wilderness and drive to the end of the road where you will see a sign marking the area. There are several waterfalls and some dry out on hot days. SFBAC LITTLE YOSEMITE TRAIL TREKKERS Hike Statistics Starting point: Visitor center/Parking lot Distance: 4.5 Time: Allow about 3 hours Grade: Easy to Moderate Suggested age: Tigers through Webelos Suggested Season: Fall, spring, summer. This magical, Yosemite-like gorge will give you a taste of the national park you’ve been looking for without having to make that 4-hour haul east. When you reach the first cattle grid, you’ll see a trail that veers off the fire road. I made a loop out of the two, for a hike of about 3 miles with some gentle elevation gain. What’s so great about hiking here, is there are lots of and nooks and crannies to get into–every trip is a new adventure. Please note this is a fragile ecosystem and watershed. The plotted map starts at my parking spot. Be prepared to wear face-covering masks in the common areas and when you’re within six feet of other hikers. Have more fun with kids in Oakland, Berkeley, Albany, and Alameda! Walk through the gate, where you'll be greeted by a small, gentle waterfall off to the right. Bay Area Hiking, Hikes Near Me. The Importance of Picking Up Trash With Your Kids. Something to sit on is nice if you go to the creek. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; Books for sharing her family’s adventure with us. This hike is fit for families and it is perfect if you want to explore waterfalls that are only a stone’s throw away from where you live in the Bay Area. The park is near the village of Sunol, south of where state route 84 meets Interstate 680. I had so much fun with the hike up to "Little Yosemite Area" and then climbing the rocks and putting my feet in the water for a cool down! Kids; AdChoices. ... to suit all types of hikers, but trails are poorly marked, particularly at the beginning. It’s also very shaded and where one of our favorite landmarks “T-rex rapids” is. Little Yosemite in Sunol is a scenic hike offering breathtaking oak lined canyon views and dramatic waterfalls. One of my pet peeves besides visible graffiti on nature, is the trash we see riddled along the trails. Happy Holidays with East Bay Kids 🎄 - phew -, New! This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The entire trail is about two miles but the best part is that we don’t have to walk far to see the beauty that is Little Yosemite. If you're going clockwise, start at the footbridge near the visitor center. You should be in good hiking shape and be prepared for the occasional stream crossing. This kid-friendly hiking trail is a must see in the Bay Area. Learn how your comment data is processed. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit"; Little Yosemite is a scenic gorge in the Sunol Regional Wilderness. 6 New Things To Try At The Park With Your Toddler, How to Keep your Tween or Teen Interested in the Outdoors. We walked as far as our four-year old could go and climbed down to this little oasis. Our dog, Gus, is usually off his leash after the bridge. She’s the East Bay mom of two little ones, a four-year old and a baby. Our local events calendar is usually packed with drop-in classes, free storytimes, and festivals. Find Adventure and Win Prizes with TRACK Trails! 510Families.com is the best website for East Bay parents to find kid-friendly activities every day. My kids are 11 and 10 and the hike for them to little Yosemite was doable. Look for wild turkeys, magpies, and owl boxes. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Little Yosemite is a scenic gorge with waterfalls within an hour of Oakland. Bedrock mortars used by Native Americans for pounding acorns that were found in the area are reminders of Sunol's first inhabitants. Visit Little Yosemite, a hidden gorge of hewn granite that lies nestled in the Sunol Regional Wilderness located in the San Franicisco East Bay. by Stephanie. If you do this, you’ll get to see some secluded waterfall and stream areas. Deep within the hills of the Sunol Regional Wilderness lies one of the East Bay’s best-kept secrets: Little Yosemite. Sunol and Ohlone Preserves are renowned for their springtime explosions of native wildflowers and scenic landmarks such as Little Yosemite. Your email address will not be published. As part of the Learn how your comment data is processed. See Tripadvisor's 86 traveler reviews and photos of kid friendly Sunol attractions Hiking and Wildlife in the San Francisco East Bay Region. As soon as we leave the car, we cross over a bridge and listen for the flowing water on the right. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; As you’ve probably noticed, we come here a lot (at least every other week or so) and we still have trails we haven’t experienced. For the past century, however, the land known today as Sunol Wildereness Regional Preserve was used almost exclusively as ranch land. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Required fields are marked *. Go through the entry kiosk, park near the Old Green Barn Visitor Center, and pick up a brochure with... Little Yosemite. Sunol Regional Wilderness is one of the best hiking locales in the East Bay hills northeast of Silicon Valley. Fun Things to Do in Sunol with Kids: Family-friendly activities and fun things to do. The gate will be near a bridge. Little Yosemite, where you'll reunite with the masses. There is no phone service on or near the trail so be ready to unplug for the day. Going the scenic route brings plenty of stream side fun and exploring. Arriving early is key to avoid the sun and crowds in order to social distance. The map says it's an .85 mile hike, which sounds pretty easy. You can take the fire road all the way up to Little Yosemite, but there’s no shade and it’s less scenic. Look for wild turkeys, magpies, and other handpicked places to visit in Sunol Regional.!... little Yosemite San Francisco East Bay mom of two little ones, a four-year old and a as. Oakland/Berkeley - Head East on I-580 to the backside of the river with granite rockfalls 1,000 miles Alaska... 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