A Tromp across the Vallejo Highlands on the Ridge Trail

This suburban segment of the Bay Area Ridge Trail extends south from Blue Rock Springs Park to the Benicia State Recreation Area. After tracking two miles of Vallejo boulevards, the trail climbs into the undeveloped highlands along the border with Benicia. The dusty, shadeless highlands include extensive views of Vallejo and San Pablo Bay to the west, and the Carquinez Strait to the south. The trail begins with a short hike up the desolate hill above Blue Rock Springs Park to a dead end at a gap in the Ridge Trail.

We are hiking the 405-mile Bay Area Ridge Trail. Sign up to follow our progress here.

TRAIL MAP (date hiked)

• Blue Rock Springs Park to Vallejo-Benicia Buffer (Oct. 27, 2022)

Our Journal

Suburban hiking was not high on our to-do list when we began our Ridge Trail trek some 300 miles ago. But these segments have to be completed to reach our goal. So, with the fall cool-down in the East Bay taking hold, we sucked it up and got ‘er done.

To be fair, the view from the highlands is pretty nice. And there are several comfy benches from which to enjoy the vista, which in addition to the tracts of houses and water below includes glimpses of Mount Tamalpais to the west and Mount Diablo to the east. One of the benches is dedicated to Doris Klein, a local naturalist and hiker, and founding member of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. (Thank you, Doris!) She died in January at age 95.

One advantage of suburban hiking is you can Uber between trail heads and obviate the need to bring two cars to avoid lengthy trail returns. In addition, we had plenty of options for our pub at the end of the trail. For the second Ridge Trail hike in a row we chose from the selection of pubs and restaurants on First Street in Benicia.

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