Sunol Regional Wilderness Park (EBRPD)

Originally preserved as ranch land, Sunol Regional Wilderness is best known for the “Little Yosemite,” renamed the “Alameda Creek Overlook.” Although Sunol Regional Wilderness is most popular in the spring when the creek is at its fullest and the hills are green with wildflowers, this park is flourishing with wildlife year-round. In 2022, the park opened its remodeled Visitor Center with an array of interactive, educational exhibits that are both family-friendly and wheelchair accessible. A few hiking trails are at the park, but you may want to bring a picnic to enjoy the ambiance.

Trails

Ohlone Road Trail to Alameda Creek Overlook (One-Way)

Bring power assistance to get to the Alameda Creek Overlook. After crossing the bridge and flat meadow, go through the gate to avoid the cattle guard, and head up the hill. The more level trail that splits off from here travels along the creek for about fifty feet. The trail to the Alameda Creek Overlook climbs upstream high into the scenic gorge with little to no shade for long stretches. Though not big at all, the Alameda Creek Overlook was once given the nickname “Little Yosemite,” and this popular social media water feature is often the fullest early spring.  

Details

• Location: Last parking lot at the end of the road at Alameda Creek Bridge.
• Length: 1.1 miles from the trailhead gate or 2 miles from Visitor Center.
• Grade: Level around the bridge, but past the cattle gate the trail becomes rapidly steep.
• Width: 4+ feet
• Terrain: Mostly firm with overlaying rocks.
• Toilet: Two unisex, vaulted toilets by parking.

Ohlone Wilderness Regional Trail (One-Way)

The Ohlone Wilderness Regional Trail travels near the visitor center to the Alameda Creek Overlook trailhead. The start of the trail parallels the road with open views of the meadow, sandstone cliffs, hills, and surrounding forest. Watch for birds, butterflies, and grasshoppers. In the early fall, it’s common to also spot tarantulas.

Details

• Location: Across from the parking lot adjacent to the Visitor Center.
• Length: Around .75 miles one-way.
• Grade: Level, though there is a small incline at the trailhead near the visitor center.
• Width: About 4 feet (sometimes a little less)
• Terrain: Mostly firm with packed crushed rocks with one small section having larger rocks.
• Toilet: Two unisex, vaulted toilets by parking.

Canyon View to Shady Glen to Flag Hill (One-Way)

Across the 50ft footbridge near the Visitor Center are a few trails, and start of these three trails, not only connect but are fairly level and wide and quite scenic. Over the bridge and to the right is the Canyon View Trail, which is open to the sun. One spot on the trail has an impressive, noteworthy tree by the creek. Watch out for ground squirrel holes on this side of the bridge.

If traveling to the left side of the bridge, to the Shady Glen and Flag Hill trails, there is an initial slope with a cross-slope that gets muddy when wet, but after this section, the trail is fairly level. Shady Glen first runs along the creek and then turns into Flag Hill heading toward the hills. Shady Glen is particularly shady, though both have many trees. At the further end, a tree branch hangs high over the trail. Both trails end when they rapidly descend into narrow ditches and then ascend just as drastically.     

Details

• Location: By the parking lot adjacent to the Visitor Center.
• Parking: One, wheelchair accessible spot.
• Length: Less than a mile (one-way)
• Grade: Moderately level
• Width: Less than 30 inches
• Terrain: Mostly firm when dry. Watch out for animal holes and debris.
• Toilet: Two unisex, vaulted toilets are near the parking spot.

Overlooks

Visitor Center Overlook

A short trail through the trees leads directly to a lovely creek-side overlook behind the Visitor Center surrounded by an old forest grove. At one point, the trail passes through an opening between two trees. The trail is worn and choppy, which makes wheelchair access challenging but not impossible. This trail is also very slippery when wet. A short, mossy stone wall on the creek side creates a nice border along the edge.  

Details

• Location: Directly in front of the one handicapped spot at the Visitor Center.
• Parking: One, wheelchair accessible spot at the end of the paved walkway.
• Length: About 50 feet (one-way)
• Grade: Moderately steep
• Width: Less than 30 inches
• Terrain: Broken, choppy pavement
• Toilet: Two unisex, vaulted toilets.

Creek Bridge Overlook

From the handicapped parking spot and before the bridge, follow the short shaded trail down to the overlook where a grove of trees is living in and beside Alameda Creek. The trail is often covered in forest debris. Watch for rising creek levels during the wet months. 

Details

• Location: By the parking lot adjacent to the Visitor Center.
• Parking: One, wheelchair accessible spot.
• Length: About 50 feet (one-way)
• Grade: Moderately steep
• Width: 4+ feet
• Terrain: Mostly firm with debris on top. The left side was choppy going down to the creek.
• Toilet: Two unisex, vaulted toilets are near the parking spot.

Alameda Bridge Overlook

An easy stroll from the parking lot and through the gate to the bridge. The forest is lush under the bridge with glimpses of the Alameda Creek that can be heard year-round. Birds gather on treetops and below the canopy. Just beyond the bridge wild, native grasses flow in the wind under large trees, and around the bridge are open views of the surrounding sandstone cliff and hills. 

Details

• Location: At the Alameda Creek Overlook trailhead
• Parking: One wheelchair accessible spot by the gate and another by the toilet.
• Length: About 75 feet (one-way)
• Grade: Moderately level. A slight slope descends from the parking lot to the bridge.
• Width: 4+ feet
• Terrain: Smooth pavement from the parking spot to the bridge.
• Toilet: Two unisex, vaulted toilets.

Picnic Areas

• Visitor Center has three tables are right in front, near the accessible drinking fountain, but none has extended ends.
• “School Camp” is across the Visitor Center parking lot and has a few tables on a firm, dirt surface but none with extended ends. A fire pit, a raised BBQ, and one table near the BBQ with no seats under the table are also here. Metal poles are at the perimeter of one entrance and another entrance by the vaulted toilets is open.
• Picnic Patio: Adjacent to Visitor Center on a dirt surface is a picnic area with a few tables and two have extended ends. The one closer to the fountain and toilet has more shade than the one closer to the creek.
• Alameda Grove Picnic Area has several tables surrounded by trees, but none have extended ends, and the debris in this area is thick, plus there is no clear path of travel due to bordering rocks. Two wheelchair accessible parking spaces are in the picnic area, along with a wheelchair accessible vaulted toilet.
• Alameda Creek Bridge (at the overlook trailhead) has one table on top of a dirt hill. It is not accessible.