Augustin Bernal Park: Pleasanton's Hillside Escape

Augustin Bernal Park is a 237-acre park located in the hills southwest of Pleasanton, California. The park provides a natural escape with hiking, biking, and equestrian trails, offering stunning views of the surrounding area. The park connects to Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park, forming a larger network of trails and open spaces. The park is named after Augustin Bernal, a Spanish settler who held the original land grant for the property. In 1971, Walter S. Johnson, a philanthropist, donated the land to the City of Pleasanton with the condition that it be maintained for public park and recreational purposes. The park's trails wind through diverse landscapes, including mixed oak woodlands, dense chaparral vegetation, and savannahs with annual grasses and oak groves. Visitors can observe native plant species like California Fescue and wildflowers such as Baby Blue Eyes. The park also provides habitat for various wildlife, including deer. From the high points along the ridgetop, visitors can enjoy views of Sunol, Mission Peak, and the Ohlone Wilderness. Valley View Trail offers framed views of the Livermore-Amador Valley with Mount Diablo in the background.