Mount Diablo SP

Amgen Bike Race

With thousands of spectators expected to view the 7th Stage finish of the Amgen Tour of California bike race on May 18th, it is important to plan ahead. Come early and make a day of it with a hike, bike ride or picnic. The Park looks forward to your visit.

Because of the nature of this event, we have limited designated parking and strongly encourage hiking or biking to visit the Park on race day. If you plan to drive, please arrive early.

For your comfort and safety, here are a few reminders:

- All Campgrounds in the park have been reserved. Camping is not allowed in the back-country of the park or turnouts of the park.

- Park closes at Sunset each day and opens at 8:00 am. Anyone in the park during those hours is subject to citation.

- The Bike Race will be in the Park from roughly 3:00 to 4:00pm.  They will be moving quite fast and have a variety of support vehicles.  Watch carefully for traffic and people walking along the roads.

- Please Do Not Paint On Roadway, Cleanup All Litter, Do Not Park On Roadways Or Private Property.

- All park roads will close to vehicle and bike traffic at no later than 2:00 pm, perhaps earlier, if the Park reaches capacity.  This will give us time to clear the roads and make sure all spectators are in a safe location.  The roads will reopen 10 minutes after the race passes.

- Race spectator parking is permitted in all picnic areas and selected turnouts as follows:
    1. South Gate Road above the Entrance Station and below the Junction Ranger Station.
    2. On North Gate Road along the roadway and in designated turnouts below the Junction Ranger Station.
    There is no spectator parking on lower South Gate Road before the Entrance Station or on Summit Road above the Junction Ranger Station. Park only in designated areas.
    NO SPECTATOR VEHICLES ALLOWED ON SUMMIT ROAD.

- Spectators are permitted along any of the roads provided they are in a safe location, well off the roadway.  All spectator signage, decorations and equipment (such as bikes) must be safely off the roadway as well.

- All park regulations are enforced, including, but not limited to, speed limits, park fees, no use of alcohol, and parking.

- Please take all trash with you when you leave or deposit in trash bin.

We hope you have an enjoyable visit!  Note that the Summit Visitor Center is open today from 10am to 5pm.  Snacks and park merchandise are available there.  In addition, there will be tables at the South Gate Entrance Station, Junction and the Summit selling the limited edition race day jersey, the regular Mount Diablo Bike Jersey and other selected items.

Summit Visitor Center CLOSED - Repairs & Upgrades Work
The Summit Visitor Center Observation Deck is closed in order to make repairs to the building for weatherization and upgrades to accessibility. Please call the park to inquire about the current status at 925-837-2525.

Service Reductions
Due to budget cuts Mount Diablo is reducing services on Wednesdays to park visitors. Restrooms may not be cleaned and trash may not be picked up on that day.

This park is one of the ecological treasures of the San Francisco Bay Area. Every season in the park has its special qualities. Discover for yourself the mountain's beautiful wildflowers, its extensive trail system, fascinating wildlife and distinctive rock formations. View the stars from its lofty heights, bike ride to its 3,849 foot summit or explore the more remote trails by horseback. The park offers hiking, biking, horseback riding and camping.

The consumption of alcohol beverages is prohibited.

At Mount Diablo State Park, dogs are allowed only in developed areas (picnic sites, campgrounds, and paved roads) and must be on a leash at all times.  While camping, dogs must remain in a tent, camper or enclosed vehicle during the night.  Noisy, vicious, or dangerous dogs are prohibited.

Location-Directions
The park may be accessed by vehicle from the Walnut Creek area (North Gate Road) as well as from the Danville area (South Gate Road).

Seasons/Climate/Recommended clothing
Summers are generally hot and dry. The rainy season is generally from November through mid-March. Visitors in the winter occasionally experience a snowfall on the mountain peak.

ROAD AND TRAIL PLAN

What is a Road and Trail Plan?

A Road and Trail Plan is a recommended management plan for the roads and trails within Mount Diablo State Park. At this time Mount Diablo State Park is developing a Road and Trail Plan for the park. The staff at Mount Diablo State Park is very excited to be able to a part of this process. This plan will be used as a long term guiding document and takes into consideration all of the elements of the park's values, goals and mission.

• Maximize visitor uses and experiences.
  
  
• Reduce potential safety conflicts.
  
  
• Minimize natural and cultural resource impacts.
  
  
• Coordinate with local and regional planning efforts.
  
  
• Provide access to surrounding public lands.

Facilities - Activities
Many visitors to Mount Diablo head straight for the summit to enjoy the famous view. Summer days are sometimes hazy, and the best viewing is often on the day after a winter storm. Then, you can look to the west, beyond the Golden Gate Bridge, to the Farallon Islands; southeast to the James Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton at 4,213 feet elevation; south to Mount Loma Prieta in the Santa Cruz Mountains at 3,791 feet elevation, north to Mount Saint Helena in the Coast Range at 4,344 feet elevation, and still farther north to Lassen Peak in the Cascades at 10,466 feet. North and east of Mount Diablo the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers meet to form the twisting waterways of the Delta. To the east beyond California's great central valley, the crest of the Sierra Nevada seems to float in space.

Summit Visitor - Open Daily 10am - 4pm
The Visitor Center is located in the historic stone building atop Mount Diablo's highest peak. The tower was constructed during the late 1930's of fossiliferous sandstone blocks quarried in the park. The Visitor Center highlights the cultural and natural history of the park. Visit the Mitchell Canyon Information Center on the north side of the mountain.

Impressive exhibits chronicle the history of the mountain and capture its majesty. A rock wall with instructional video examines the geological forces which created the mountain. A diorama, complete with sound, offers an overview of the park's ecosystems, and its cultural history. A model of the mountain acquaints visitors with important park locations. Splendid artwork and photographs enhance the visitor's experience. A gift shop and audio-visual room are also located in the building.

Accessible parking and ground level entry are provided and a generally accessible restroom is available inside the visitor center for use by persons with mobility disabilities.  Additional non-compliant restrooms are located outside of the visitor center.  Beginning in early October 2012 portions of the Visitor Center including the Observation Deck will be closed in order to make repairs to the building for weatherization and upgrades to accessibility. Please call the park to inquire about the current status at 925-837-2525.

Observation Deck
Telescopes are mounted on the deck to help visitors enjoy one of the finest views in the world. On the walk up the circular stairway to the observation deck, visitors are treated to a look at ancient marine fossils embedded in the sandstone walls of the summit building. In the rotunda they are reminded of Mt. Diablo's importance as a survey point. Above the rotunda is a beacon, historically important to aviators and now lighted once a year on December 7 in memory of those who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor.

Mitchell Canyon Interpretive Center
The Mitchell Canyon Interpretive Center, located in Mount Diablo State Park at the south end of Mitchell Canyon Road in Clayton, California, is staffed by park volunteers. The gift shop is supported by the Mount Diablo Interpretive Association, which works with the park to provide visitors with information so they can better enjoy Mount Diablo State Park and its natural wonders.

The Center has displays about various aspects of the park, such as geology, wildlife, trails, and plant life. Interpretive materials about the Park, such as geology, wildlife, and plants, are for sale. There are also postcards, note cards, trail maps, and water for sale.

A ramped entry is usable, and exhibit and sales areas are tight but staff is there to help. Restrooms. Parking. A designated accessible space is near the office but the surface of the space and the path to the trailer are covered in loose gravel.

Mary Bowerman Trail
Just below the summit, this trail offers spectacular vistas that can be enjoyed along the way. The first half of the gentle 0.7-mile loop trail is accessible to visitors in wheelchairs. Pick up a copy of the trail Nature Guide at the trailhead.

Rock City
You'll find unusually large sandstone formations and small caves here.

Boy Scout Rocks and Sentinel Rock
These are popular places near Rock City for rock climbing. Check with the ranger for regulations and the best approach.

Fossil Ridge
Evidence of previous residents is embedded in these rocks. Please leave them for future visitors to see.

Deer Flat
You are likely to see some of the mountain's natural wildlife as you take this moderately strenuous 1.6-mile hike from Juniper Camp.

Mitchell Canyon Staging Area
This is the main access point to trails on the mountain's north side. From here you can hike to Deer Flat (3.7 miles) or all the way to the summit (6.8 miles) by way of Juniper Camp.

Diablo Valley Overlook
From here near Juniper Campground, 3,200 feet above sea level, you can see the Golden Gate.