Mission Peak Regional Preserve

• New Hours
• Parking Information
• Public Transit
• Safe Hiking Tips
• Trail Restoration
• Other Challenging Trails
• About The Park
• Park Activities
• Park Accessibility
• Trail Map
• Park Map [PDF]
• Newsletter No. 1 [PDF]

Stanford Avenue Staging Area Expansion Project

On September 20, 2016, the District’s Board of Directors certified the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR), adopted the MMRP, approved the “Option A” Project, and authorized funding appropriations to complete design and construction. At a follow-up meeting on October 4, 2016, the District’s Board confirmed those approvals and adopted Findings. Learn more about the Stanford Avenue Staging Area Expansion Project and view documents associated with this project.

Park Hours

Park OPEN at Ohlone College
Entrance/Parking Lot - Parking Info
43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont
Over 900 parking spaces
Daily, year round
6:00am - 10:00pm

Park OPEN at Stanford Ave.
Entrance/Parking - Parking Info
43 parking spaces
Dec 23 - Mar 31
   6:30am - 8:00pm
Apr 1 - Dec 22
   6:30am - 9:00pm
   Parking permit program for residents

NO Public Access to Mission Peak from Mill Creek Road.

Please note that hours are strictly enforced. Visitors found inside the park, entrance area, and parking lot after posted hours will be subject to citation and or arrest. Citations cost a minimum of $300.

Hiking from Ohlone College

Parking Information

Ohlone College Parking, 900+ parking spaces

43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont, CA. Access from Pine Street or Witherly Lane off Mission Blvd. Both the Peak Trail and the Panorama Trail lead to the Mission Peak summit.

The District thanks all park visitors who are parking at Ohlone College. Parking here has reduced the negative impact of overflow parking into the neighborhood around the Stanford Avenue staging area. Please continue to park at Ohlone College. Thank you for your cooperation.

• Effective November 1, 2017 a valid parking permit must be displayed 6am-11pm every day of the week including weekends. College observed holidays and semester breaks are excluded and will remain free.
• Parking is available in Lots E, G and H, and the new parking structure.
• There is a $4 parking fee
  
• Parking lot vending machines take cash or credit cards.
• Overnight parking is not allowed at Ohlone College.

• Links: Visitor Parking, Parking Fees
• Transit and Trails: Mission Peak Regional Preserve (transit, biking, and walking directions).

•  Download: Printable version of the Ohlone College Parking Map (above) [PDF]
  

Stanford Avenue Parking Lot, 40 parking spaces

Located at the east end of Stanford Avenue, off Mission Blvd., this parking lot is heavily used on weekends and holidays. Overnight parking is not allowed without a permit obtained while making camping reservations for the Ohlone Wilderness. Parking at Ohlone College is strongly encouraged.

As of October 1, 2016, the City of Fremont established a temporary parking permit program for residents within the Mission Peak Neighborhood (map). Restricted parking times are from Saturday at 12:01 a.m. through Sunday at 11:59 p.m. and on national holidays, including dates of observance. Parking IS allowed on non-holiday weekdays. Park visitors are encouraged to carpool, use public transportation and/or ride-sharing services, ride their bikes, or park at Ohlone College.

• Transit and Trails: Mission Peak Regional Preserve (transit, biking, and walking directions).

Every year, several dogs die of heat stroke and dehydration at Mission Peak and many hikers suffer injuries, as well. Consider these tips while hiking in the park:

Water, Water, Water!!!

• Bring at least 2 liters of water for you and your dog. 
• Make sure your companions also have enough water. 
• Offer water to your dog every time you drink some.

Be Sun Smart

• Wear a hat and generously re-apply sunscreen. 
• Avoid hiking in the middle of the day in the summer months. 

Dog Health and Safety

• Dogs are much more susceptible to heat stroke than humans. Hike with your dog only in cooler temperatures.
• Take rests and offer water frequently.
• Watch for signs of heatstroke, which include heavy panting, dry gums, weakness and inattention. 

Sturdy Footwear

• Hiking boots and athletic shoes with ankle support are recommended!  [PDF]
• Thick socks help minimize blisters and absorb moisture.
• Do not wear flip-flops, sandals or high heels. 

Trail Restoration

Restoration of “The Scarface” Continues!

The Park District continually works to remove bootleg trails and restore the natural beauty of the hillside near the Mission Peak summit, where it’s been eroded over the years due to hikers leaving the designated trail. We’ve installed fences and signs to educate the public and direct hikers to stay on the marked paths.

Please help the restoration effort by staying on the marked trails. Do not take shortcuts. Press release on restoration work, 2014.

Preserving the beauty of Mission Peak

Irvington High School student volunteers, members of the Mountain Goats bicycle club, and District staff helped restore more than ½-mile of trail in 2012 and 2013. They installed fencing, jut net blankets, eco-wattles, and grass seeds, in hopes of stabilizing the slope and preventing erosion. They also installed signs to educate visitors about the importance of staying on marked trails, and the efforts underway to protect the park’s natural beauty.

BLUE = 2012 Restoration 
RED = 2013 Restoration 
GREEN = 2014 Restoration

How can you help?

For more tips and volunteer opportunities, see "A Restoration Story" and  Mission Peak Needs Your Help!

- Stay on designated trails
- Avoid entering restoration areas
- Avoid creating new “bootleg” trails 

Other Challenging Trails

If you enjoy the challenge of the Hidden Valley Trail, try these challenging hikes.      

About The Park

Rising steeply to the east of the city of Fremont, Mission and Monument peaks form a dramatic backdrop to the South Bay. The determined and conditioned hiker who reaches the top of Mission Peak will be rewarded with views of Mount Hamilton to the south, the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west, Mt. Tamalpais to the north, and Mt. Diablo and the Sierra Nevada to the northeast. Hawks and vultures share the summit airspace with sailplanes riding the thermals, and a down-to-earth herd of feral goats roams the cliffs.

This well used park, particularly on weekends, with hundreds of visitors attempting the 3-plus-mile hike to Mission Peak. About five hours are required to reach the summit and return. This parkland's 3,000 acres are accessible from parking lots at Ohlone College (slightly longer hike, but more gradual ascent; plenty of parking on weekends) or from a small staging area at the east end of Stanford Avenue in Fremont (steep climb to the summit; parking lot is extremely congested on weekends). There is no access to the park from Mill Creek Road.

The Peak Trail from Ohlone College is an enjoyable hike to the summit that passes a horse corral, and through shaded woodlands and open grasslands. This trail is part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, a planned 550+-mile multi-use trail (currently over 330 miles are complete) along the hill and mountain ridgelines ringing the San Francisco Bay Area. The college charges a $4 parking fee Monday through Saturday when school is in session. Parking is free on holidays, after 5 p.m. on Saturdays, and on Sundays. Parking lot vending machines take cash or credit cards. See the Ohlone College parking information webpage to confirm fee information.

The Stanford Avenue staging area is also the western access to the Ohlone Wilderness Trail, a 29-mile hiking and riding trail through some of southern Alameda County's most beautiful wilderness. Permits are required to hike in the Ohlone Wilderness.

Wildflower Photo Guide

• Mission Peak  2.2 Mb, 11 x 8.5, 15 pp. [PDF]

Park Activities

Hiking, biking, dog walking and horseback riding are popular activities available in the Regional Preserve.

Interpretive Hikes

The interpretive staff at Coyote Hills Regional Park leads organized hikes along the slopes and the peak. For information on these and other naturalist-led activities, call the Coyote Hills Visitor Center at (510) 544-3220.

Backpack Camping

Eagle Spring Backpack Camp offers backpack camping opportunities. Reservation is required. All water should be treated, or boiled before drinking. To make a reservation, call 1-888-EBPARKS or (888) 327-2757, press option 2.

Radio Control (R/C) Flying

Remote-controlled aircrafts can be launched at R/C Hill only. All remote-controlled pilots launching at R/C Hill must be members of South Bay Soaring Society (SBSS) and must have in their possession a current membership card. No motorized or gas-powered aircraft are allowed. No other sites within Mission Peak Regional Preserve are approved for this activity.

Hang Gliding and Paragliding

The Wings of Rogallo hang gliding club has a launch site at Mission Peak Regional Preserve to conduct hang gliding and paragliding activities.

Park Accessibility

Trail Accessibility Report

Hidden Valley Trail: Download PDF | Download Word

Trail Map

Click on the map image below for a larger version

• Park Map [PDF]

• Informational Brochure - includes safety tips and optional hiking trails - PDF
• Please email all comments to StanfordAveProject@ebparks.org