Two local parks make for easy retreats with friends and family

It’s amazing how often people can miss great attractions close to home. Discovering beautiful or fun places close to where you live is a great way to enrich your daily life.

I have enjoyed parks in the East Bay for years but still have a lot to discover, mainly because there are so many options. The East Bay Regional Parks District (EBRPD) comprises 65 parks and more than 1,200 miles of trails for hiking, biking, swimming, horseback riding and nature learning. It represents a huge number of outdoor activities and places to enjoy nature throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Below is an overview of two of my favorite local parks, which are easy to reach and offer many activities and many places of solitude. These parks are connected by the Chabot-to-Garin Regional Trail, which is a prime example of why the East Bay has one of the best trail networks in the nation. More details about these and other parks are at www.ebparks.org.

Anthony Chabot Regional Park
9999 Redwood Road, Castro Valley

A beautiful, year-round public campground, a marksmanship range, and seventy miles of hiking and horse riding trails make Chabot one of the District's most attractive parklands. There’s also fishing and golf at this 3,314-acre park, which is only twenty minutes from downtown Oakland.

Camping - The Chabot Family Campground, overlooking Lake Chabot, is a year-round getaway only minutes from Oakland or Castro Valley. I’ve camped here twice and it is easily one of the nicest campgrounds I have seen anywhere. I was pleasantly surprised by the clean and modern facilities, especially the hot showers. The camp has 63 campsites, which start at $25 per night. There are group campsites within the park as well. For reservations, call 1-888-327-27571-888-327-2757.

Marksmanship - The marksmanship range, operated by the Chabot Gun Club, is open to the public. It has pistol, rifle, and shotgun ranges, and offers a hunter safety course. This is the only District facility where firearms are allowed. Open Friday through Monday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., the range is located in the park off Marciel Road; take the Marciel Gate entrance off Redwood Road.

Equestrian Center - Chabot Equestrian Center (510-569-4428510-569-4428) offers horse boarding. It does not offer guided trail rides at this time. For information about horseback riding in the Park District, see the Equestrian/Horseback page at www.ebparks.org.

Golfing - The District's 18-hole Willow Park Golf Course and restaurant lie adjacent to Anthony Chabot Regional Park on Redwood Road.

Garin / Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Parks
1320 Garin Avenue, Hayward

Garin Park and Dry Creek Pioneer Park neighbor each other in the hills of Hayward. Located off of Mission Blvd., they are great examples of parks that are easy to access and make part of your family events or exercise program. Picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, kite flying, and dog walking are among the activities at these two natural beauties. I have spent many hours of escape walking through the green canopy of Garin Park – the main trail is a great place to start discovering these parks.

Picnicking - Several picnicking areas near the Garin Avenue park entrance are available for use by families and larger groups. There are four large group picnic areas at Garin: The Cattlemen's, Buttonwood, and Ranchside areas - each accommodate 100 people, and Pioneer serves 50. These areas have picnic tables and barbecue units and may be reserved by phoning EBRPD Reservations at 1-888-327-27571-888-327-2757.

Hiking and Horseback Riding - The more than 20 miles of trails within Garin and Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Parks give you the opportunity to explore the 4,794 acres that comprise these parklands. While the trails are not paved, many are suitable for bicycles.

Fishing - The Jordan Pond pier was constructed using materials provided by the Hayward, South Hayward, and Mt. Eden Lions Clubs. Jordan Pond has naturally reproducing populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, and sunfish. The Park District also plants channel catfish in the pond once or twice a year.