Nov. 9, 2024

Oakland has a reputation for being sketchy. Since I don’t know the city, I visited Sat morning hoping those prone to sketchiness sleep in.

Public transit is fantastic and inexpensive in the SF area. A bus got me within a mile of York’s western trailhead in Leona Heights Park. I walked the rest of the way without incident; that park of Oakland didn’t feel sketchy to me.

The 3.5-mile York Trail is rugged and steep and, if you are heading east, entirely uphill. There are narrow parts where the dirt is eroding into the creek far below, and you could take quite a nasty tumble if you aren’t careful. Redwoods and then oaks tower overhead. It’s a lovely bit of nature nestled within Oakland.

The trail leads to a fantastic viewpoint where one can see SF, the Bay, Oakland, etc stretched out below you. The eastern terminus is in an abandoned and gated parking area by Merritt College. I had fun trying to get on the other side of the gate…finally found a place where the gate had been cut. The trailhead itself has no sign so, all things considered, this trail may not be getting regular maintenance love. Still though, it was quite enjoyable.

Next I visited Peralta Hacienda, site of Anza Expedition’s Luis Peralta’s homestead. The building is now used for community events.