Oakland, CA: East Bay Loops | Bicycling in California

Oakland, CA: East Bay Loops

This 69-mile pair of loops takes in the golden hills of the east Bay Area, the blue waters of Carquinez Strait, and solid climbs up Cummings Skyway and “Three Bears.”

Author:	Bicycling Magazine
Date:	27 Jan 2009 6:53:08 PM
Activity:	Bicycling ActivitySearchBicycling
State:	California (CA)
Distance:	69.78 mi (Change units)
Elevation:	Total Gain: 6102 ft Total Loss: 6092 ft Net Change: 10 ft
Difficulty:	7 / 10
Tags:	Oakland, San Francisco, Martinez, California
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

This 69-miler begins in the shadow of Mount Diablo at the North Concord Bart Station. The postcard moments begin at the Martinez Regional Shoreline Park (and continue throughout the ride) with the Amtrak trains running on the cliffs below the park and Carquinez Scenic Drive.

Overlooking the conspicuous blue waters of Carquinez Strait, the jaunt along the scenic drive mixes switchbacks and hills with panoramic views of Sonoma, Napa, and Solano counties. On the climb up to Cummings Skyway (one of the tougher ones of the ride), you’ll enjoy views of the Carquinez Bridge. On top, catch tailwinds and pick up speed as you coast down Frankin Canyon Road. If one loop is all you want, head back to the Bart station now.

Otherwise, head south, passing the John Muir National Historic Site. The second loop heads west and meets its first short, steep climb at Pig Hill Farm. It’s easy to hit 50+ on the descent to Briones Regional Park where the Three Bear climbs await. Finish off the loop taking in the rolling green vistas as the route cruises by Lafayette Reservoir and the Diablo Foothills.

-Mapped by Pete Ferguson

TO TRAILHEAD: This ride departs from the North Concord BART station.

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

East Bay Loops

Dist: 69.78 mi	Points: 1423	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Distance	Instruction		Distance to next
1.07 mi	Bear Right	Port Chicago Hwy	Then go 0.49 mi
1.56 mi	Turn Right	Almond Ave.	Then go 0.12 mi
1.68 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at East St	Then go 0.22 mi
1.90 mi		Continue on Grant St	Then go 0.52 mi
2.41 mi		Continue on Solano Way	Then go 0.70 mi
3.11 mi	Turn Left	Into Park	Then go 0.02 mi
3.14 mi	Turn Right	Iron Horse Trail	Then go 0.39 mi
3.52 mi	Turn Left	Marsh Dr.	Then go 1.32 mi
4.84 mi		Slight right at Center Ave	Then go 3.41 mi
8.26 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Muir Station Rd	Then go 0.44 mi
8.70 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Alhambra Way	Then go 0.35 mi
9.04 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at Alhambra Ave	Then go 2.34 mi
11.38 mi	Turn Left	Turn left on Marina Vista Ave.	Then go 0.14 mi
11.52 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at Talbart St	Then go 0.09 mi
11.61 mi		Slight left at Carquinez Scenic Dr	Then go 6.97 mi
18.58 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at Pomona St	Then go 0.08 mi
18.66 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Pomona Ave.	Then go 0.65 mi
19.31 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Crockett Blvd	Then go 1.94 mi
21.26 mi	Bear Left	Cummings Skyway	Then go 2.21 mi
23.47 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Franklin Canyon Rd	Then go 4.35 mi
27.82 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at Alhambra Ave	Then go 0.44 mi
28.26 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at Alhambra Valley Rd	Then go 1.25 mi
29.51 mi	Turn Right	Turn right to stay on Alhambra Valley Rd	Then go 4.85 mi
34.35 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Bear Creek Rd	Then go 8.38 mi
42.73 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Camino Pablo	Then go 2.37 mi
45.09 mi		Slight right at Moraga Way	Then go 1.31 mi
46.40 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Casa Vieja/Glorietta Blvd Continue to follow Glorietta Blv	Then go 1.59 mi
47.99 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Acalanes Rd	Then go 0.73 mi
48.72 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at Mt Diablo Blvd	Then go 2.04 mi
50.77 mi		Slight right at Golden Gate Way	Then go 0.12 mi
50.89 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at 1st St	Then go 0.08 mi
50.97 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Moraga Blvd	Then go 0.78 mi
51.75 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at Hawthorne Dr	Then go 0.05 mi
51.80 mi	Turn Left	Turn left on bike path	Then go 0.37 mi
52.17 mi	Straight	Continue on Olympic Blvd.	Then go 1.09 mi
53.26 mi		Slight left to stay on Olympic Blvd	Then go 0.04 mi
53.30 mi	Turn Right	Turn right on Tice Valley Blvd.	Then go 0.65 mi
53.95 mi		Slight left to stay on Tice Valley Blvd	Then go 1.23 mi
55.18 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Crest Ave	Then go 0.47 mi
55.65 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at Danville Blvd	Then go 0.16 mi
55.80 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Rudgear Rd	Then go 1.17 mi
56.98 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Palmer Rd	Then go 0.56 mi
57.54 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at Mountain View Blvd/Mt View Blvd	Then go 0.46 mi
58.00 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Walnut Blvd	Then go 2.90 mi
60.90 mi		Slight left at Seven Hills Ranch Rd	Then go 0.05 mi
60.95 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at Cherry Ln	Then go 0.36 mi
61.31 mi	Turn Left	Costa Canal Trail	Then go 0.12 mi
61.44 mi	Turn Right	Iron Horse Trail	Then go 5.29 mi
66.72 mi	Bear Right		Then go 0.09 mi
66.82 mi	Turn Left	Solano Way	Then go 0.44 mi
67.25 mi		Slight right	Then go 0.07 mi
67.33 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at Arnold Industrial Way	Then go 1.82 mi
69.15 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at Port Chicago Hwy	Then go 0.48 mi
69.63 mi	Bear Left		Then go 0.15 mi
69.78 mi	Stop

Points of Interest

North Concord Bart- Start/Finish here

Location: 38.002774°, -122.024868°
Head down the bike path for a warm-up.

Carquinez Scenic Drive

Location: 38.020509°, -122.151146°
There are some amazing vistas, but also some rough spots on the road. Be attentive. © Pete Ferguson

Sculpture Farm

Location: 38.035788°, -122.180500°
© Pete Ferguson

Crockett Lunch Stop

Location: 38.052383°, -122.224274°
Valona Deli and Market has delicious daily sandwich specials and friendly owners. © Pete Ferguson

Skyway View

Location: 38.035248°, -122.208910°
Atop the Cummings Skyway climb you can see Carquinez Strait and the Golden Gate Bridge. © Pete Ferguson

Around the Three Bears

Location: 37.897614°, -122.193375°
Scenic vistas around Briones Regional Park. © Pete Ferguson

Pig Farm Hill

Location: 37.968831°, -122.176509°
An exposed, half-mile climb.

Three Bears Climbs

Location: 37.947074°, -122.185521°
The first two climbs, mama and papa bear, are long, gradual hills with fun descents. The last climb is baby bear, which is just right.