One of my favorite places to hike is the Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve. The trailhead is off Stonewall Road, near the Claremont Hotel, which means that you can combine a visit to the gustatory delights of the Elmwood shopping district with a healthy trek up a sunny slope in the same afternoon.
At the trailhead, you will see a couple of paths off to your left. The straight, concrete path, called Tanglewood Path, leads down to the intersection of Belrose and Derby.
The gentler dirt path angling away on the left leads to a “locked” gate and continues on to lots of great Cal athletic facilities that are also open to the public, including sand volleyball lots, a running track with an amazing bay view, and a pool, all on the grounds of the beautiful Clark Kerr campus.
As you start up the trail into the Regional Preserve, you will find free trail maps and an information board reminding you to watch out for mountain lions.
Continuing upward, if you watch for a side trail past the water storage tank (a canvas for colorful graffiti art), you will find a walking labyrinth with a well-placed bench and a breathtaking view of the City and Golden Gate Bridge. Think sunsets.
The trail system in the Preserve is extensive, and well maintained. There is some elevation gain, so it’s a great way to design your own personal par course for a full workout.
The trails are also well traveled by dog walkers and families — especially those lucky enough to live on Stonewall Road.
After your hike, you can continue to soak up sun, as well as house-made chips and fresh-squeezed juices, on the deck at The Station Burger on Claremont at Russell. (Yes, it always comes back to food.)