There are some good running options in Pleasanton, an East Bay suburb if nearly 100,000. Two good multi-use trails include the Arroyo Mocho Trail and the Pleasanton Canal & Centennial Trail. There are also numerous trail running options.
Multi-Use Trails and Parks
Arroyo Mocho Trail. Google Street View
Arroyo Mocho Trail. This ~10 mile trail between Pleasanton and Livermore is one of the better long-distance running options in the area. The first five miles in Pleasanton are the most pleasant part of this trail. It’s mainly gravel surface and has options to run both below the street and at street level through the neighborhood. It’s fairly park-like. Toward Livermore, the trail is paved and is more through residential neighborhoods.
Can combine with Centennial Trail (below)
Centennial Trail andAlamo Canal Trail. Gravel trail that’s sort of a levee trail along narrow streams & canals. Overall it’s 5.4 miles from near Bernal Ave. in central Pleasanton north to Alamo Creek Park. The first 3 miles runs parallel to I-680 but is far enough away from it so that it’s still pleasant. It intersects with the Arroyo Mocho Trail at its western end @Las Positas Blvd (mile 1.2). The northern 2.5 miles are away from the highway and run through a residential neighborhood.
Trail Running
There are numerous open spaces in Pleasanton that offer many miles of scenic trail running.
Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area. Popular for its 80-acre lake, there are also several miles of trails. TRAIL MAP
There are also several adjacent preserves and open spaces west of I-680 that offer trail running through grasslands, brush, and some canyons. Among the largest of these is 9,000-acre Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park (TRAIL MAP), which has a multi-purpose trail and more challenging trails through a variety of landscapes: canyon, grassland, orchards, & woodland. There are some great views. Can be combined with Augustin Bernal Park to the north.
NEW: In 2023, the Tyler Ranch Staging Area opened, adding over 18 miles of trails across 2,800 acres to Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park.
There are some good running options in Pleasanton, an East Bay suburb if nearly 100,000. Two good multi-use trails include the Arroyo Mocho Trail and the Pleasanton Canal & Centennial Trail. There are also numerous trail running options.
Multi-Use Trails and Parks
Arroyo Mocho Trail. Google Street View
Arroyo Mocho Trail. This ~10 mile trail between Pleasanton and Livermore is one of the better long-distance running options in the area. The first five miles in Pleasanton are the most pleasant part of this trail. It’s mainly gravel surface and has options to run both below the street and at street level through the neighborhood. It’s fairly park-like. Toward Livermore, the trail is paved and is more through residential neighborhoods.
Can combine with Centennial Trail (below)
Centennial Trail andAlamo Canal Trail. Gravel trail that’s sort of a levee trail along narrow streams & canals. Overall it’s 5.4 miles from near Bernal Ave. in central Pleasanton north to Alamo Creek Park. The first 3 miles runs parallel to I-680 but is far enough away from it so that it’s still pleasant. It intersects with the Arroyo Mocho Trail at its western end @Las Positas Blvd (mile 1.2). The northern 2.5 miles are away from the highway and run through a residential neighborhood.
Trail Running
There are numerous open spaces in Pleasanton that offer many miles of scenic trail running.
Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area. Popular for its 80-acre lake, there are also several miles of trails. TRAIL MAP
There are also several adjacent preserves and open spaces west of I-680 that offer trail running through grasslands, brush, and some canyons. Among the largest of these is 9,000-acre Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park (TRAIL MAP), which has a multi-purpose trail and more challenging trails through a variety of landscapes: canyon, grassland, orchards, & woodland. There are some great views. Can be combined with Augustin Bernal Park to the north.
NEW: In 2023, the Tyler Ranch Staging Area opened, adding over 18 miles of trails across 2,800 acres to Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park.
It's NOT possible to run all the way from San Francisco to Oakland, but this newly opened path from Emeryville to Yerba Buena Island is 4 miles of running glory. Great views of the Bay, bridges, and skylines. Separate bike and pedestrian lanes.
Popular 3.2 mile path around the lake is a great running option near downtown Oakland. Lovely gardens in Lakeside Park in the north and the Oakland Museum of California in the south. For extra cardio, run the stairs of the Cleveland Cascade.
One of the loveliest neighborhoods in the East Bay, with quiet, tree-lined residential streets and attractive homes. Include Piedmont Park and nearby streets, Dimond Park for trail running and Mountain View Cemetery for hilly paths and great views.
Nearly 12 miles of flat, waterside running. Most of it is lovely, with great views. Best sections are around César Chávez Park in Berkeley and Point Isabel to Marina Bay. We feature a detailed map and table with section distances.
One of the longest continuous stretches of shoreline running along the Bay Trail. It's 7 miles from San Leandro Marina to the San Mateo Bridge, with great water views, salt marshes, and sloughs.
An easy, flat beachside run near Oakland Airport. Crown Memorial State Beach is a wonderfully restored 2.5 mile beach, with a bike/pedestrian path. Continue along Shore Line Dr. for a 3+ mile route. Good beach and water views the whole way.
One of our favorite runs in the East Bay, and right next to Oakland International Airport! 6-mile dedicated path around the island, with great views to the water, Bay Bridge, and San Francisco in the distance. Good add-ons options.
Wonderful running in this area, 2 miles west of downtown Berkeley. A series of three parks and 8+ miles waterside trails along shores, tidal marshes, and beaches, with views out to SF Bay, the Berkeley Yacht Harbor, and South Sailing Basin.
Excellent running on the numerous roads and paths of the university. Can easily put together 4-5 miles on the main campus, seeing key spots and landmark buildings. Just to the east, head up to the Botanical Garden, or enjoy the Fire Trails for some trail running.
A great running option just a couple of miles east of Berkeley. There's Lake Anza, a botanical garden, wonderful wildflowers, and extensive trails. We recommend the paved 4 mile Nimitz Way Trail, with great views of San Pablo reservoir, SF bay and Mt. Diablo.
Wonderful trail running in 1,580 acre park, a few miles east of Oakland. Options include a paved path through redwoods, an 8.2 bike loop trail, and numerous more challenging options. Many trails shaded, which is good for a hot day.
Extensive park east of Oakland, with 70+ miles of trails. A favorite for runners is the 3.5 miles of paved trail along the south and east shores of the lake. There are several other more extensive, challenging loops available. Adjoins Redwood Regional Park.
Wonderful running options in Fremont: Central Park's 2-mile lake loop; The 12-mile Alameda Creek Trail, with additional scenic marshland & grassland trails at Quarry Lakes and the Coyote Hills Regional Park along San Francisco Bay.
Best running options in Livermore are the Arroyo Mocho Multi-Use Trail, easy trail running in Sycamore Grove Park, the E Shore Trail in Del Valle Regional Park, and some lovely, quiet roads passing vineyards.
Best running options in San Ramon are: the Iron Horse Regional Trail -- a paved rail-trail that runs between Pleasanton & Concord; and scenic trail running at Sycamore Valley Open Space, Las Trampas Wilderness, and Bishop Ranch.
Good off-road running options in Walnut Creek are the Iron Horse Regional Trail and the Contra Costa Canal Trail. There's also wonderful trail running in Briones Regional Park, and the adjacent Shell Ridge & Diablo Foothills open spaces.
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