The preserve has three staging areas: Main Staging Area at 6800 Skyline Blvd, Oakland, CA 94611, Old Tunnel Road Staging Area at Quarry Road, Orinda, CA 94564, and Eastport Staging Area at Pinehurst Road, Orinda, CA 94563. There is no fee for parking, and drop-offs and onboarding are allowed, but no parking for school buses or chartered buses.
Currently, the Skyline Trail is closed between Fish Ranch Rd and Old Tunnel Road staging area due to a mudslide. Additionally, be aware of cattle grazing in the area, and approach them slowly and speak normally to allow them to move away. Do not try to get close, touch, or pet them, especially if they have calves.
This nature preserve has a rich history, with cattle grazing being part of the ecosystem since the 1800s. The preserve is also home to a volcano, with Round Top being the most prominent feature at an elevation of 1763 ft. above sea level. The unstaffed visitor center has displays illustrating the preserve's geology, and a self-guided brochure is available highlighting the preserve's geological features.
The preserve has several trails, including the 31-mile East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail, which traverses the preserve along the ridgeline. Other trails include Round Top Road, Round Top Loop Trail, Volcanic Trail, Quarry Trail, and Pond Trail. Some trails are paved and wheelchair accessible, including a 600-foot paved path north of the visitor center that ends at a viewing platform.
To get to the preserve, take Highway 24 and exit at Fish Ranch Road, then continue to Grizzly Peak Boulevard and turn left onto Skyline Boulevard. The preserve entrance is on the left. Alternatively, take public transportation, including AC Transit bus #305, which runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays. From Lake Merritt BART, 19th Street BART, or Rockridge BART, take AC Transit bus 59 or 59A and transfer to bus #305.
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