See and Do!
Diablo Foothills Regional Park
About The Park
Diablo Foothills is an imposing gateway to the beautiful parklands of Mt Diablo State Park and Walnut Creek Open Space. The Foothills 1,060 acres are valued for their striking geologic formations, their sweeping panoramas of the San Francisco Bay Region and the rural quality of the adjacent rolling grasslands.
Adjacent to Diablo Foothills is Castle Rock Recreation Area located in a scenic canyon along Pine Creek. The area is dominated by oak woodlands and prominent sandstone formations. Castle Rock has historically specialized in preparing picnic events for large groups of 300 or more people. Back to top
Park Features
Besides panoramic views of the mountain and its surroundings, Diablo Foothills' 1,060 acres contain interesting geologic features, beautiful wildflowers in season, and a variety of bird and animal life.
Vegetation varies from grassland and oak savannah on the hills to riparian and oak woodland in the valley. Pine Creek flows through Pine Canyon and is within the eastern portion of the Walnut Creek watershed, which drains 150 square miles of central Contra Costa County into San Francisco Bay.
Diverse habitat types support an equally diverse array of wildlife, including mule deer, bobcats, coyote, grey fox, long-tailed weasels, raccoons, gophers, rabbits and ground squirrels. Birds such as red-winged blackbirds, northern mockingbirds, scrub jay, California quail and brown towhees use the park for nesting and foraging habitat. Rock outcrops shelter garter and gopher snakes, western fence lizards, southern alligator lizards, tree frogs and California salamanders. The perennial pools of water in Pine Creek ensure the survival of green sunfish, mosquitofish and largemouth bass. Back to top
Park Activities
Diablo Foothills offers abundant open land for horseback riding, hiking, bicycling and nature study. There are no developed facilities in the park. Back to top
Park Accessibility
The pathways within Castle Rock Recreation Area are wheelchair accessible. Other wheelchair accessible facilities in Castle Rock Recreation Area include a restroom and a drinking fountain. There are no developed facilities in Diablo Foothills. Back to top
To Reach The Park
- Northern Staging Area: Exit I-680 at Ygnacio Valley Road in Walnut Creek and drive east. After about three miles turn right on Walnut Avenue. After about two miles turn right on Oak Grove Road, then bear right onto Castle Rock Road and follow it to the Orchard Staging Area on the right. Limited parking is available at the end of Castle Rock Road.
- Southern Staging Area: Exit I-680 at Livorna Road. Head east about three miles to the Livorna Staging area located just west of Stonegate Drive in Alamo.
Park Info
- Address
- 1700 Castle Rock Road
(Northern Staging Area)
Walnut Creek, CA 94598 - Download Brochure
- Phone Number
- 925-945-8244
- Local Weather
- Maps
- View Trail Map
- Download PDF Map
- Yahoo Map to the Northern Staging Area
- Yahoo Map to the Southern Staging Area
- Park Hours
- Open between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. unless otherwise posted or permitted
- Park Events
- Click here for upcoming events
- Parking Fee
- No fee
- Dog Fee
- No fee
- Camping Reservations
- No reservable campgrounds
- Picnic Reservations
- No facilities
- Emergency Number
- 911
- EBRPD Headquarters
- 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757