Sunol Regional Wilderness

Creek in Sunol Regional Wilderness

A few miles South of Pleasanton, and about 6 miles off freeway 680, along Calaveras and Geary Road, Sunol Regional Wilderness is a great park for both hikers, horseback riders, and of course wildlife watchers. Oak woodland, grassland, soft chaparral, and creekside vegetation make this a characteristic East bay park, yielding a lot of wildlife.

Whether hiking up to the cave rocks on the Indian Joe Creek Trail, or getting a stunning view of the valley and the park on the Flag Hill Trail, Sunol Regional Wilderness offers many opportunities to explore the park, and experience the wildlife.

Multiple habitats of Sunol

The Oak woodland, grassland, and chaparral are home to Coyotes, Bobcats, and even the very rare Mountain Lion. There is a herd of Tule Elk which were reintroduced to this area.

Reptiles include Gopher Snakes and Western Rattlesnakes, and among amphibians, lucky people may even find the endangered California Tiger Salamander. However, the real treat of Sunol lies within its birdlife, which is both easy to see, and very representative of the habitat and region. Keen eyes can spot the magnificent Golden Eagle soaring in the sky, being sure to distinguish it from the more common Red-tailed Hawks and Turkey Vultures. Among the Oaks, one can find the Yellow-billed Magpie which is endemic to California, and a signature bird of the East bay. Acorn Woodpeckers, Golden-crowned Sparrows and Spotted and California Towhees are all relatively easy to see, not to mention many other species of sparrows, and birds in general.

In addition to animals, plant life in Sunol Regional Wilderness is abundant as well. In spring, wildflowers carpet the rolling plains and hills, and California Poppies and Lupines make wildflowers a sight to see.

Tule Elk herd in Sunol Regional Wilderness

Links

• East Bay Parks page on Sunol Regional Wilderness  ...link 
• Ohlone Regional Wilderness  ...link 
• Mission Peak Regional Preserve  ...link