Last fall, travel guide guru Moon put out a new version of the San Francisco Bay Area edition of its 101 Great Hikes series.
It was author Ann Marie Brown who laced up her boots to sleuth out the dozens of local trails that appear in the book, from the best dog-friendly hikes to the best summit vistas.
“The Bay Area has a wealth of natural diversity, which means hikers can pick a landscape to suit their mood: redwood groves, coastal dunes, oak woodlands, tidal marshes, grassland prairies, pine-studded ridges, and more,” says Brown. But what astounds her most “is how much terrain is still relatively wild—about 29 percent of the Bay Area’s land is protected open space. That’s an amazing gift for anyone who hikes or lives here.”
In the guide, Brown not only provides a map and elevation profile for each hike; she breaks them down mile-by-mile, noting nice spots for views and snack breaks, and where the siren’s call of sneaky spur trails might throw you off course. The end of each entry offers an added bonus: the best nearby cafe, brewery, market, or restaurant to refuel and toast to the miles completed.
A bona fide expert on Bay Area hiking, we asked Brown to share some of the most overlooked, under-the-radar trails in the book’s new edition. She selected seven of them from Napa to Santa Cruz and told 7x7 why they’re well worth seeking out in 2026.
Big Rock Ridge Trail, Lucas Valley Open Space Preserve (7.4 miles out-and-back)
(Ann Marie Brown)
“When I need a fresh perspective, I hike to a summit or high point,” says Brown. “Big Rock Ridge is Marin County’s second highest peak, and it offers dramatic views of Mount Diablo, Mount Tam, San Francisco, and three graceful bridges (Golden Gate, Bay, and Richmond-San Rafael). When the fog rolls in, the high ridge towers above the puffy marshmallow layer and delivers an even dreamier vista.”
Difficulty: Moderate
Dogs Allowed: No
Best Nearby Bites + Brews: Big Rock Deli Cafe (1500 Lucas Valley Rd., San Rafael)
// More info on page 121 of the Moon 101 Great Hikes Guide; Lucas Valley Rd. (San Rafael), parks.marincounty.gov
Old Cove Landing Trail, Wilder Ranch State Park (2.4 mile loop)
(Ann Marie Brown)
“It’s easy to love this easy trail for its mesmerizing ocean views, carved sandstone formations, and a hidden fern cave tucked into the back of a pocket beach,” Brown explains. “On top of all that, moments of wonder occur frequently on these coastal bluffs: A bobcat slips through the grasses, a gray whale rises from the sea, or a squadron of pelicans flies past at eye level.”
Difficulty: Easy
Dogs Allowed: No
Best Nearby Bites + Brews: Davenport Roadhouse (1 Davenport Ave., Davenport)
// $10 day-use fee per vehicle; more info on page 338 of the Moon 101 Great Hikes Guide; 1401 Coast Rd. (Santa Cruz), parks.ca.gov
Coast, Fire Lane, Laguna Loop, Point Reyes National Seashore (6 mile loop)
(Ann Marie Brown)
“My favorite beaches are the ones you can’t drive to, and Santa Maria Beach is one of several delightful hike-in beaches at Point Reyes,” Brown explains. “Laguna Trail’s single-track leads through dense foliage to a broad stretch of sand, where I like to break out a picnic or a book. The loop’s return leg on Coast Trail often reveals tule elk grazing on the grasslands.”
Difficulty: Easy-moderate
Dogs Allowed: No
Best Nearby Bites + Brews: Side Street Kitchen (60 40th St., Point Reyes Station)
// More info on page 101 of the Moon 101 Great Hikes Guide; Laguna Rd. (Point Reyes Station), nps.gov
Flag Hill Loop, Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve (3.8 mile loop)
(Ann Marie Brown)
“A trip to Sunol always feels like a trip to the country, even though Interstate 680 is only a short distance away,” muses Brown. “This loop hike delivers a breathtaking show of California poppies in spring and lush grasslands year-round. If I can take my eyes off the long-distance views, I look for fossilized seashells in Flag Hill’s sandstone boulders.”
Difficulty: Moderate
Dogs Allowed: Yes for a $2 fee
Best Nearby Bites + Brews: Freewheel Brewing Co. (44536 S. Grimmer Blvd., Fremont)
// More info on page 247 of the Moon 101 Great Hikes Guide; 1895 Geary Rd. (Sunol), ebparks.orgFranklin Ridge Loop, Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline (3.5 mile loop)
(Ann Marie Brown)
“I have always been fascinated by the Carquinez Strait’s eight-mile-long waterway, which links Suisun Bay and San Pablo Bay,” says Brown. “This loop trail circles a grassland-covered ridge high above the strait, offering sweeping blue-water views and a chance to see catamarans, barges, and cargo ships sailing by.”
Difficulty: Easy
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Best Nearby Bites + Brews: Del Cielo Brewing Company (701 Escobar St., Martinez)
// More info on page 196 of the Moon 101 Great Hikes Guide; Hillside Pl. (Martinez), ebparks.org
Table Rock, Robert Louis Stevenson State Park (4.6 mile out-and-back)
(Ann Marie Brown)
“Volcanic landscapes capture my imagination, and this trail leads through an otherworldly tableau of igneous rock outcrops,” Brown says. “Wildfires have taken a toll on the forest, but the fascinating geology and lofty Napa Valley vistas remain. Two spiraling labyrinths make a good place to pause for introspection.”
Difficulty: Moderate
Dogs Allowed: No
Best Nearby Bites + Brews: Napa Valley Brewing Company (1250 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga)
// More info on page 42 of the Moon 101 Great Hikes Guide; Hwy 29 (Calistoga), parks.ca.gov
Peters Creek & Long Ridge Loop, Long Ridge Open Space Preserve (4.5 mile loop)
(Ann Marie Brown)
When I want to tune out the world, I look for a serene sylvan setting where I can hear the sound of my own breathing,” Brown says. “One favorite spot is on top of Long Ridge, where a sturdy bench honors author and open space advocate Wallace Stegner. I like to soak in the silence while I survey the acres of forests and meadows descending to the Pacific.”
Difficulty: Easy-moderate
Dogs Allowed: No
Best Nearby Bites + Brews: Out of the Barrel Taproom (1875 S. Bascom Ave. (Campbell) or 201 Los Gatos Saratoga Rd., Los Gatos)
// More info on page 316 of the Moon 101 Great Hikes Guide; Skyline Blvd. (La Honda), openspace.org
