City: Clayton Park: Mt. Diablo State Park
Meet at the end of Regency Drive. There are many things to attract your attention on the way and to let you catch your breath - wildflowers well into summer, grotesquely eroded rock formations reminiscent of the American Southwest, the sequence of gradually expanding views. The climax view, of course, is from the summit itself. Stop at the summit for a snack/lunch. Mt. Olympia is one of the park's prime destinations, a rugged outcrop with fantastic views of dizzying canyons, particularly with the mists of winter. Mostly shady, this is particularly desirable in July. Approximately 9 miles, with a 2900 foot elevation gain.
Contact: Helene CrowleyFrom Dublin/San Ramon, take Hwy 680 North towards Concord/Martinez. Exit at Ygnacio Valley Road in Walnut Creek. At bottom of offramp, turn RIGHT at stoplight onto Ygnacio Valley Road. Continue on Ygnacio for 7.5 miles up the hill and into the city of Concord. At stoplight turn RIGHT onto Clayton Road. Or from the north, take Southbound 680 and exit at Treat Blvd. At end of offramp turn left then make an immediate left turn at the next light onto Treat Blvd. Follow Treat into the city of Concord for approximately 8 miles. At light turn right onto Clayton Road. Take Clayton Road into the Town of Clayton. Pass Mitchell Canyon Rd on your right and Oakhurst and Diablo View School on your left. Regency Drive is a private residential street with a traffic light at its intersection. Turn right on Regency Drive and park near the houses. (That way, it appears you live there -- there have been breakins into cars parked at the dead end.)Regency Gate is just down the hill from the Dead End.