University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley - Berkeley

Daily 9:00am-5:00pm; Closed first Tuesday, monthly
Location: 200 Centennial Drive
Why Go There? 34-acre diverse Berkeley hills landscape offers wonderful clear day views, multiple trails; 10,000+ plant types include many rare and endangered species; features nine regions of naturalistic plantings from Italy to South Africa, to major collection of California native plants; second growth (planted 1932) redwood grove summer evening concerts setting; free docent-led tours first Wednesday of the month, every Thursday – Sunday at 1:30 pm; special events include Holiday Pop-up Shop (mid-December), fundraiser Harvest Dinner (September), spring/fall plant sales. Free admittance first Wednesday, monthly; senior discount.
More Information: UC Botanical Garden

Strawberry Canyon Trails - Berkeley

Days + Hours of Operation
Location: From Stadium Rim Way, head up Centennial Drive, past Strawberry Canyon Pool (open to public May-October, fee) to dirt parking lot on the left (before reaching the Botanical Gardens)
Why Go There? Popular trail follows Strawberry Creek, offers views, partially shaded uphill climbs and less steep, flatter areas for breaks from steep hills. Options include upper Fire Trail to Frowning Ridge, or lower Fire Trail to Claremont Canyon; 7+ mile if doing complete loop. The small dirt parking lot fills up on weekends, so if driving arrive early; no restrooms or water.
More Information: Strawberry Canyon Fire Trail + Hike Strawberry Canyon

Joaquin Miller Park  & Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park- Oakland

Location: 3450 Joaquin Miller Road (several parking areas, restrooms)
Why Go There? Adjacent to Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park (which offers 36 miles of shared use hiking trails, 1830 acres within second growth redwood trees, several trailheads) the City of Oakland managed park offers East Bay walks/hikes through second growth redwoods, variety of flora, a number of shorter loop trails and opportunity to explore land that once belonged to and was residence of poet Joaquin Miller (deceased 1913). As with many urban area shared use trails, expect city noise. The park's outdoor amphitheater hosts annual popular evening musicals: Woodminster Summer Musicals (see listing under Entertainment).
More Information: Redwood Hikes + Joaquin Miller + Redwood Regional Park

Morcom Rose Garden - Oakland

Location: 700 Jean Street
Why Go There? Seven acre city owned garden built in the early 1930's, maintained by volunteers, offers a peaceful, rose filled setting to stroll, observe birds
More Information: Friends of the Morcom Rose Garden

The Gardens at Heather Farm - Walnut Creek

Daily daylight hours
Location: 1540 Marchbanks Drive
Why Go There? Non profit organization maintained six acre public garden features paved and gravel pathways to stroll, a rose-covered gazebo, waterfall area, conservation garden and numerous seasonal displays; brochures/maps available for self-guided tours (pick up in office: Friday 9:00-400pm; Saturday 9:00am-1:00pm)
More Information: The Gardens at Heather Farm

Mt. Diablo State Park - Walnut Creek/Concord

Location: North entrance: 1300 North Gate Road; South entrance: 2675 Mt. Diablo Scenic Boulevard, Blackhawk (Danville); entrance fees
Why Go There? Hike up to Mt. Diablo's 3,849 ft summit, where clear days views extend 360 degrees, and one can spot the Farallon islands to the west beyond the Golden Gate Bridge, beyond Mount Saint Helena in the Coast Range at 4,344 feet  to 10,466 feet Lassen Peak in the north, and the Sierras to the east in the far distance. Between 10am-4:00pm daily, visit the Summit's Visitor Center, located in 1930's historic stone building, with the actual highest point of Mt. Diablo reached inside. Constructed of fossiliferous sandstone blocks quarried in the park, the Visitor Center highlights the cultural and natural history of the park. Numerous other trails, walks of varying lengths, wildflower views during spring (an ideal time to visit, before the hazy, summer heat arrives) are available to experience within the state park, including Rock City's geological formations, Donner Creek Loop waterfalls (in winter) .
More Information: CA Parks + Insiders Guide to Mt. Diablo

Additional Resources

Bay Area Hiker - Bay Area
Website lists many hikes, with photos, trailhead descriptions, assembled by avid hiker, author Jane Huber

Native Plants - Berkeley
Regional Parks Botanic Garden's 10 acres in Tilden Park focuses on California's native plants; open daily 8:30am; no cost; enter/park Wildcat Canyon Road/South Park Drive

Markham Nature Park Arboretum - Concord
Offers 2.4 miles of trails, 45 tree species, open daily, no cost; 1202 La Vista Avenue

Briones Regional Park - Lafayette/Orinda, Martinez
6,255 acres are home to many animals and birds, (shared use) trails, views, wildflowers, several trailheads (fee parking)

Sycamore Grove Park - Livermore Area
Offers several hundred acres shared use trails (fee parking)

Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park - Oakland
Offers 36 miles of shared use hiking trails, 1830 acres within second growth redwood trees

Garin/Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Parks - Union City
Dry Creek Cottage historic two-acre garden, pathways, footbridges; can link to trails south end Dry Creek Regional Park, adjacent to Garin Regional Park; Thursday-Saturday 10am-4pm; May Road off Mission