Hiking Redwood Regional Park + Café Main Pizza
Yet another weekend has seem to have flown by. How does this keep happening?
Besides it being sweltering hot outside (high of 102°F), we had a great weekend.
It started out on the upside when I scored a major deal on California grown, organic red grapes Friday afternoon at Whole Foods.
![IMG_1770[1]](https://www.makingthymeforhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/IMG_17701.jpg "IMG_1770[1]")
They were so nice and plump too. Gaaah, I love fresh produce.
And if you follow me on Instagram then you might have seen that we were able to get in a hiking trip with Coco on Saturday which made her so very happy.
![IMG_1732[1]](https://www.makingthymeforhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/IMG_17321.jpg "IMG_1732[1]")
We didn’t have a whole lot of time to travel far, so we stuck to the East Bay area and explored Redwood Regional Park in Oakland.
There are a multitude of trails to choose from and we chose to do the Eastbay Skyline National Trail (West Ridge to East Ridge Trail) which is just shy of 4 miles, round trip.
Thankfully, the trail started out beneath the trees so we were in the shade for the majority of the time in the beginning of the hike.
After a few minutes of walking, the trail opens up to a view of the canyon and the hills in the background.
Including Mount Diablo, the tallest peak in the East Bay area.
The trail we were on permitted dogs to be off leash and Coco loved having the freedom to run around and explore.
However, she continued to walk right along the edge of the canyon while peering downhill with curiosity which gave us both intermittent heart palpitations.
It was hard to capture a picture that demonstrates how steep the slope really was but trust me, it would have definitely done some damage had she fallen.
She is a very clumsy dog and is easily distracted by moving objects (squirrels, birds, etc.) so we decided not to take any chances and put her back on her leash until we were at a lower elevation.
As the trail continued, there was plenty of nice scenery to enjoy.
And this plant which almost looked like cotton from afar.
We couldn’t figure out what it was.
A little over half way through the hike, the trail led down into the canyon.
We had to stop several times along the way to hydrate Coco and let her rest.
I managed to find a cozy rock to rest on as well.
Of course, there was a lot of steep climbing as the hike ascended back up to the top but Coco kept on like a trooper!
At the top there is a bench to rest on with another great view of the trees and the canyon.
And eventually, down the trail there are more beautiful views of the hills.
Unfortunately, my pictures just don’t do the view justice but it was a really nice hike.
After almost 4 miles and close to 3 hours, we were all pretty tired so we stopped by one of my favorite pizza places, Café Main, to pick up a thick crust veggie pizza for dinner.
![IMG_1768[1]](https://www.makingthymeforhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/IMG_17681.jpg "IMG_1768[1]")
I also threw together a few mixed green and kale salads to go with and it was the perfect meal to end a long day.
![IMG_1769[1]](https://www.makingthymeforhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/IMG_17691.jpg "IMG_1769[1]")
The barbeque on Sunday also went really well, minus sweating our booties off. I ended-up making a side item/appetizer that I was very pleased with and I plan to post the recipe on here this week.
Well, Brandon’s at work for the rest of the evening so I’m off to make myself a vegetarian BLT with tempeh bacon (while Coco stares at me) and pack my lunch for tomorrow before I call it a night.
Have a great Monday!
What’s your favorite meal after a long and tiring day? Do you prefer thick crust or thin crust pizza?
Now that is a GORGEOUS hike. I absolutely love trails like that, especially when they have a stunning view at the top. And honestly, I’ll basically eat -anything- after a long and tiring day. If I get to the point where I’m absolutely starving, especially if I was outside, then I’ll eat anything and everything :lol:
We are experiencing a heat wave too!!! So happy you still enjoyed the weekend! That pizza you guys picked up looks awesome! and nice work with the added greens!
What a beautiful hike!! It seems so amazing. I really want to get the chance to go hiking this Summer. It’s definitely something I don’t do as often as I should.
And such gorgeous views! I love that part of hiking.
Phew, I don’t blame you for wanting that pizza after a long hike! I definitely reach for the carbs after a long and tiring day.
Ahh I’m obsessed with red grapes, but they’re usually pretty pricey so I’m jealous of your find ;).
That hike looks so beautiful! I went on one a couple days ago, but we didn’t get the great shade that you guys got!
I’m so glad you go to go hiking this weekend! And your pictures are, as always, absolutely gorgeous. I wish I lived in an area where I could go hiking that often…your pizza also looks fabulous and is making me want pizza, despite just finishing my breakfast. I don’t know if I have a preference for one over the other–pizza is pizza and it’s delicious so I’m not too picky :)
Ahhh, such beautiful trails!!! Next time I vacation in that area I am making sure to hit up some of them for an active hiking vacation!!
As for pizza, I like both thin and thick crust but I love my bread so I would have to go with thick crust as my absolute favorite!!
What a beautiful hiking spot! And that pizza looks fabulous! I love thin crust pizza!
I’m definitely a thin-crust fan. I think the crust should just be a vehicle for the cheeeeese :D.
Your hikes are to die for – I’m so jealous that you live in California. And you’ve totally just inspired my weekend ahead. The three of us are definitely going to do some hiking.
Back in the day before I ate healthy and cared about what I put into my body a thick crust Pizza Hut extra cheese pie was the jam. Yours looks much better :).
What a beautiful hike. I love tall pine trees like that, but don’t get many of them here in NJ. Looking at these photos makes me anxious for our vacation. We are coming out to visit family in Lake Tahoe very soon. Certainly looking forward to it.
What a gorgeous hike! Reading the beginning of your post, I was thinking… I can’t believe they let Coco go off leash, she must listen really well :) As for pizza, I like both thin and thick crust – I think it just depends on what I’m craving at the moment!
Oh my gosh, that pizza looks heavenly!! I wish I could be eating that right this second ;).
And how awesome are vegetarian BLT’s? Who needs “real” bacon, anyways? ;)
I know, tempeh bacon is better than real bacon IMO. ;)
Now that is some gorgeous weather and pics!
That looks like such a gorgeous hike! And Coco did fantastic ;-) If I’m hungry at the end of the day, I’m pretty much down for anything. Pizza would be particularly appetizing though! And as for thickness of the crust, I think it depends on what kind of pizza I’m going for…something like Hawaiian or buffalo chicken needs a thick crust, but something more refined like Margherita needs a thin, crispy crust.
Coco’s 10 years old this month so she was dragging towards the end but she pulled through okay!
I’ve never been on that hike! We should hit up Mission Peak in Fremont one day. :)
I’m also jealous of your grapes, I never bought anything for 99 cents at Whole Foods before. Seems like a dream come true.
I just love summer hikes (or anytime hikes as well!) The scenery of your hike is so so stunning! I got some 99 cent grapes at Whole Foods and had an overexcited twitter spree! It’s the little things isn’t it?
Yes, 99c grapes are worth getting overexcited for! :)
Great pictures :).
I used to go running in Redwood Regional Park, but only a few times. When I lived in Oakland (Montclair) it was only a very short drive up the hill to the park and the view is absolutly stunning.
The pizza looks also very delicious :)
How cool that you used to run there! Some of the terrain there would make for a great trail run and you can’t beat the view. :)
What a beautiful hike! I definitely would have put Maddie back on the leash too – she makes me nervous in situations like that! I love your post-hiking meal too…pizza is the best!
Looks like you had such a wonderful time. What a great place to hike! :)
I definitely prefer thick crust pizza unless it is from a more traditional italian style place where it is meant to be thinner. That pizza you ate looked delicious!!
Wow! That hike looks so beautiful!! I like thick crust when it comes to pizza :)