Mount Diablo State Park: The Complete Guide

By Katherine Gallagher

Published on 05/10/21

Mount Diablo Beacon

Often touted as one of the state’s most underrated parks, Mount Diablo located in Northern California’s bay area features some truly incredible views. On clear days, most visitors will head straight to the state park’s 3,849-foot summit to capture panoramas of the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge to the west, the Santa Cruz Mountains to the south, Mount Saint Helena to the north, and even the crest of the Sierra Nevadas to the east. In total, it's possible to see over 8,500 square miles and 40 California counties from the summit.

Things to Do

Although California certainly contains much higher mountains, Mount Diablo’s combination of rolling hills and flat valleys make the views here completely unique. The Summit Visitor Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in a tower constructed from sandstone blocks (complete with a few ancient marine fossils embedded inside) in the 1930s, and it's the best place to start for first-timers to the park. Here’s where visitors get information about hiking trails or the historical and cultural aspects of Mount Diablo with several exhibits, artworks, and staff on hand to answer questions.

Next, walk up the circular stairway to the observation deck to check out the iconic views before heading back down to explore “Rock City” about one mile north of the south gate. Great for kids, this portion of the park has large sandstone rock formations and wind-hollowed caves to climb around (safely, of course). Make sure to take some time to observe the Native American grinding rocks and one of the larger boulders that’s been dubbed “Sentinel Rock,” climbable thanks to carved steps and installed railings.

In the springtime, make a stop on the north side of the mountain at the Mitchell Canyon area, which is famous for its wildflowers. If you still haven’t had enough of the views, there’s another overlook near the Juniper Campground to catch a stunning glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Hikes & Trails

Mount Diablo State Park encompasses more than 20,000 acres, so there is plenty of space to explore. Pick up free maps and brochures with suggested hikes at the Summit Visitors Center to get a better idea of the trails available inside the park.

Eagle Peak: One of the most popular trails in the park, Eagle Peak is a 7-mile difficult hike offering rewarding views at the top. During the spring, this trail is known for its wildflowers and is popular with runners who are looking for a serious workout. Start on Mitchell Canyon Fire Road before turning left onto the Eagle Peak Trail. After about 2 miles and 1,000 feet in elevation, you reach Twin Peaks first. A bit farther, the Mitchell Rock Trail ends at the Eagle Peak Trail and climbs to the summit of Eagle Peak, about 1,800 feet above where you started.

Mount Diablo Summit from Mitchell Canyon

Mary Bowerman Interpretive Trail

Donner Creek Loop Trail