Address: 4499 Bridgeview Dr, Oakland, CA (Approx)
OR
37.809008, -122.216051 (end of Benevides Ave)
OR
37.817823, -122.204617 (Monterey Blvd)
Parking: Free street parking available at the addresses above. I usually prefer to start at the Bridgeview Drive trail head. This is a narrow street and the trailhead is at a dead-end. Please be respectful of residents. I recommend parking on or near Leimert Place and walking up one of Oakland's hidden staircases (on Arden Place) to Bridgeview Drive. Parking down below is easier and I prefer it if I'm doing the Bridgeview Trail/Old Cañon Trail (Sausal Creek) loop.
Hours: 6 A.M. to 9 P.M.
Type: Hike (easy to moderate)
Regulations: Dogs allowed on-leash
Best time to visit: Anytime, as the trails are mostly shaded
Don't miss: The Old Cañon Trail
WARNING: Keep your dog out of the water. Water may contain raw sewage.
Description: This is a great hidden gem, with options for an easy, mostly flat hike (Bridgeview trail), or a moderate, longer hike (Old Cañon Trail-Google Maps calls it Sausal Creek Trail). It's difficult to get lost, but if you do, Google Maps will show you the trails and there is reception in the park. Please keep your dog on leash and out of the water. As of May 2017, we noticed a sign warning that water may contain raw sewage.
For the Dimond Canyon Trail hike: from the trailhead, where Bridgeview Drive dead-ends, you will follow the main trail past the golf course to Monterey Blvd. There's a nice bridge, great views of people at the driving range, huge redwoods, and a beautiful creek. It's a pretty quiet trail and is a fairly flat trail to run on. There's a great stair running spot at the end where the canyon connects to Monterey Blvd. There are even some rope swings for the kids above the trail. For a longer hike, you can walk back to the "Bridgeview Trail" sign and hike down into lower Dimond canyon (see Old Canon/ Sausal Creek Trail description below). Another option is to cross Monterey Blvd under the freeway to Joaquin Miller Ct, which will take you to trails in Joaquin Miller Park, and then you can follow the same trails back at anytime. I've also hiked a loop through the neighborhoods after reaching the end at Monterey Blvd, by walking up Montery Blvd to Leimert and back to where I parked. Some parts of the road do not have a shoulder, but it's a nice walk with views of the bay.
For the Old Cañon Trail (Sausal Creek) hike: From the trailhead, where Bridgeview Drive dead-ends, you will follow the main trail until you reach the "Bridgeview Trail" sign, and hike down to your left via the Old Cañon Trail. There are several switchbacks, and the trail slopes down into the canyon and follows along the creek. I often see dogs running down and playing in the creek, but I noticed a lot of algae in there so I wouldn't chance it. The trail will continue up and under the bridge on Leimert, with several switchbacks. If you keep heading straight, the trail changes to Dimond Canyon Trail, which eventually ends on Benevides Ave. If you continue on Old Cañon Trail, which splits to the left, it will take you down into the canyon again and along the creek. This eventually leads to another park entrance at El Centro Ave, the "El Centro Trailhead." From here you can either:
OR
37.809008, -122.216051 (end of Benevides Ave)
OR
37.817823, -122.204617 (Monterey Blvd)
Parking: Free street parking available at the addresses above. I usually prefer to start at the Bridgeview Drive trail head. This is a narrow street and the trailhead is at a dead-end. Please be respectful of residents. I recommend parking on or near Leimert Place and walking up one of Oakland's hidden staircases (on Arden Place) to Bridgeview Drive. Parking down below is easier and I prefer it if I'm doing the Bridgeview Trail/Old Cañon Trail (Sausal Creek) loop.
Hours: 6 A.M. to 9 P.M.
Type: Hike (easy to moderate)
Regulations: Dogs allowed on-leash
Best time to visit: Anytime, as the trails are mostly shaded
Don't miss: The Old Cañon Trail
WARNING: Keep your dog out of the water. Water may contain raw sewage.
Description: This is a great hidden gem, with options for an easy, mostly flat hike (Bridgeview trail), or a moderate, longer hike (Old Cañon Trail-Google Maps calls it Sausal Creek Trail). It's difficult to get lost, but if you do, Google Maps will show you the trails and there is reception in the park. Please keep your dog on leash and out of the water. As of May 2017, we noticed a sign warning that water may contain raw sewage.
For the Dimond Canyon Trail hike: from the trailhead, where Bridgeview Drive dead-ends, you will follow the main trail past the golf course to Monterey Blvd. There's a nice bridge, great views of people at the driving range, huge redwoods, and a beautiful creek. It's a pretty quiet trail and is a fairly flat trail to run on. There's a great stair running spot at the end where the canyon connects to Monterey Blvd. There are even some rope swings for the kids above the trail. For a longer hike, you can walk back to the "Bridgeview Trail" sign and hike down into lower Dimond canyon (see Old Canon/ Sausal Creek Trail description below). Another option is to cross Monterey Blvd under the freeway to Joaquin Miller Ct, which will take you to trails in Joaquin Miller Park, and then you can follow the same trails back at anytime. I've also hiked a loop through the neighborhoods after reaching the end at Monterey Blvd, by walking up Montery Blvd to Leimert and back to where I parked. Some parts of the road do not have a shoulder, but it's a nice walk with views of the bay.
For the Old Cañon Trail (Sausal Creek) hike: From the trailhead, where Bridgeview Drive dead-ends, you will follow the main trail until you reach the "Bridgeview Trail" sign, and hike down to your left via the Old Cañon Trail. There are several switchbacks, and the trail slopes down into the canyon and follows along the creek. I often see dogs running down and playing in the creek, but I noticed a lot of algae in there so I wouldn't chance it. The trail will continue up and under the bridge on Leimert, with several switchbacks. If you keep heading straight, the trail changes to Dimond Canyon Trail, which eventually ends on Benevides Ave. If you continue on Old Cañon Trail, which splits to the left, it will take you down into the canyon again and along the creek. This eventually leads to another park entrance at El Centro Ave, the "El Centro Trailhead." From here you can either:
- Retrace your steps back to the trailhead, or
- Cross El Centro Ave into the park on the other side of the street. Stay to the left and walk up the Dimond Recreation Center driveway (since the road does not have a shoulder). Your first left will lead you to Oakmore Road. You can follow sidewalks back through nice neighborhoods and you will be at your car in only a few blocks. Overall, this is approximately a 2 mile hike.
Please note that trail names have been changed from the link above. Sam's and Toe Trails have new signage noting that it's "Old Cañon Trail." The Bridgeview Trail loop is pretty much impassible due to the creek and trail overgrowth. Follow my hiking directions above.
Trail Map:
Trail Map:
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WARNING SIGN:
Bridgeview Trail Hike Pictures:
Old Cañon Trail (Sausal Creek Trail) Hike Pictures:
Benevides Ave & El Centro Trailheads:
Monterey Blvd Trailhead:
