AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Lime Ridge Open Space

Blue Oak Trail–California Riding and Hiking Trail, 5 sights

9.8 mi · ▲ 1,469 ft · 4 hr

Blue Oak Trail–California Riding and Hiking Trail, 5 sights is a 9.8-mile out-and-back in Lime Ridge Open Space near Clayton, CA. It climbs 1,469 ft, with sections as steep as 17% grade. It scores 18/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi374 – 876 ft · steepest grade: 17%10.0 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: California Riding and Hiking Trail 37.94127, -121.96286
Nearest town Clayton, CA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Blue Oak Trail–California Riding and Hiking Trail, 5 sights

9.8 mi · ▲ 1,469 ft · 4 hr

Elevation 373–874 ft

Out & Back · Lime Ridge Open Space

Trailhead: California Riding and Hiking Trail · 37.94127, -121.96286

Weather Aug 3: Clear, high 99°F / low 60° · precip 0% · wind 7 mph · sunrise 6:13 AM · sunset 8:16 PM

Transit-accessible: Michigan Boulevard & Washington Boulevard stop 578 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on California Riding and Hiking Trail, heading S.
  2. 1.1 miTurn left, heading S.
  3. 0.1 miBear right, heading SW.
  4. 0.1 miSharp right onto Manzanita Trail, heading NW.
  5. 0.6 miTurn left onto Crystal Ranch Trail, heading S.
  6. 0.5 miSharp right onto Paraiso Trail, heading S.
  7. 1.2 miBear left onto West quarry path, heading N.
  8. 0.4 miContinue straight onto Ohlone Trail, heading NE.
  9. 0.1 miTurn right onto Blue Oak Trail, heading N.
  10. 0.3 miBear left onto Buckeye Trail, heading E.
  11. 0.4 miReach California Riding and Hiking Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  12. 0.4 miBear right onto Blue Oak Trail, heading S.
  13. 0.3 miTurn left onto Ohlone Trail, heading NW.
  14. 0.1 miContinue straight onto West quarry path, heading S.
  15. 0.4 miBear right onto Ohlone Trail, heading SW.
  16. 1.2 miSharp left onto Crystal Ranch Trail, heading E.
  17. 0.5 miTurn right onto Manzanita Trail, heading NE.
  18. 0.6 miSharp left, heading SE.
  19. 0.1 miBear left, heading SE.
  20. 0.1 miTurn right, heading NE.
  21. 0.3 miContinue straight onto California Riding and Hiking Trail, heading N.
  22. 0.8 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/california-riding-and-hiking-trail-manzanita-trail-out-back-3-sights

Trail surface

29% gravel14% dirt57% unspecified

Weather

ClearTemperature 99°F60°
Feels like87°Precip0%Wind7 mphUV8Humidity23%
Hourly temperature
100°60°
Sunrise 6:13 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:16 PM
Tue 91°65°
Wed 90°58°
Thu 98°56°
Fri 103°61°
Sat 103°60°
Sun 102°58°

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.4 mi in (~76 min). Leave by 6:40 PM for the 8:16 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:36 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: Michigan Boulevard & Washington Boulevard stop 578 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from California Riding and Hiking Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Clayton, California