Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Collecting a light dusting of snowflakes on the coldest days of winter, at 3849ft Mt Diablo
is more than 1000ft higher than Mt Tamalpais in Marin County. On a clear day (early on a
winter morning is a good bet) the views from Diablo's summit are vast and sweeping. To
the west you can see over the bay and out to the Farallon Islands; to the east you can see
over the Central Valley to the Sierra Nevada.
The park has more than 50 miles of hiking trails, and can be reached from Walnut
Creek, Danville or Clayton. You can also drive to the top, where there's a visitors center.
Sleeping
Mt Diablo Campgrounds
CAMPGROUND
( 800-444-7275;
www.reserveamerica.com
;
tent & RV sites $30)
Of the three campgrounds, Juniper and Live Oak have showers, though the campgrounds
can be closed during high fire danger and water may be turned off throughout the park if
water restrictions are in effect.
Information
Mt Diablo State Park Visitors Center
TOURIST INFORMATION
( 10am-4pm)
The park office is at the junction of the two entry roads.
John Muir National Historic Site
John Muir Residence
HISTORIC SITE
( 925-228-8860;
www.nps.gov/jomu
; 4202 Alhambra Ave, Martinez; 10am-5pm Wed-Sun)
Just 15 miles north of Walnut Creek, the John Muir residence sits in a pastoral patch of
farmland in bustling, modern Martinez. Though Muir wrote of sauntering the High Sierra
with a sack of tea and bread, it may be a shock for those familiar with the iconic Sierra
Club founder's ascetic weather-beaten appearance that the house (built by his father-in-
