Nothing beats a great invigorating hike to get your blood pumping, strengthen your muscles, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy the wonders of nature. Any time of the year is a great time for this popular al fresco activity, but the colors are especially beautiful during the autumnal season. To help get your third-quarter exploration on its way, check out this gorgeous, easy fall hike in Northern California’s East Bay region that promises to delight and inspire!

Mt. Diablo State Park is located about an hour and 10-minute drive east of Berkeley in Northern California’s East Bay region.
Daniel Kvasnička/AllTrails.com
It is here that you’ll find the 1.2-mile (1.9-km) Rock City, Wind Caves, and Sentinel Rock loop trail. The trail has a great deal to offer, including some of the most stunning sweeping views.
This fantastic easy fall hike offers breathtaking vistas almost all along the way, and on an especially clear day, you can see for miles around.
Jennifer Charney/AllTrails.com
A great place to start your exploration of Mount Diablo State Park is by stopping by the Summit Visitor Center. Here you can peruse the different exhibits that detail the history of the mountain and get a map to get you on your way to the trail (Be sure to check the website for the days and hours, as they do fluctuate throughout the year).
Millions of years of erosion have resulted in these cool and quirky rock formations.
Wendy Wheeler/AllTrails.com
Some of the crevices are big enough for humans to fit into. They are believed to have been very important and sacred spots for the Native American tribes that once inhabited the area, as well as for the abundance of wildlife that still calls the park home.

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Everywhere you look you’ll see distinctive plant and flower life.
Wil Evans/AllTrails.com
Although this is a relatively short and easy hike, it is always advisable to wear comfortable, sturdy, hiking or other closed-toed shoes, and to carry and drink plenty of water.
When you get to the overlook along the trail, be sure to stop and read the signage which explains how this rugged sandstone landscape was formed so long ago.
Jennah Alvarez/AllTrails.com
At this point, you’re approximately 2,900 feet above sea level, and believe it or not—again, on a really clear day—you can see 60 miles away to the Golden Gate Bridge!
Pack a picnic lunch and sit a spell.
Hillary Johnson /AllTrails.com
Not only is the Rock City, Wind Caves, and Sentinel Rock loop an easy fall hike, but it’s a great way to spend time alone or with family and friends. Happy fall hiking!

In addition to the trail, you can also explore Rock City which encompasses the Wind Caves, Fossil Ridge, Sentinel Rock, Elephant Rock, and Artist Point. At the Mitchell Canyon Staging Area, visitors have access to a variety of other Mt. Diablo State Park trails.

Have you traversed the Rock City, Wind Caves, and Sentinel Rock Trail? If so, we’d love to see your photos and hear about your experience there. You can also learn more about the park on the official Facebook page.

If you’re looking for somewhere close by to eat after all of that hiking, head on over to Mac’s Old House

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Mount Diablo State Park North Gate Entrance Station, 1300 N Gate Rd, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA