SUNOL REGIONAL WILDERNESS
Canyon View to Little Yosemite | Sunol, CA
★★★☆☆
A short trail that passes through shady woodlands and rolling hills, accompanied by peaceful canyon views, ending at a cute little gorge.
Last hiked 12/31/20
Length: 3 mi.
Gain: 440 ft.
Type: Out and back
Difficulty: Low
Crowds: High
Dogs: Yes. $2 per dog (free for service dogs)
THE RUNDOWN
This is a popular park, fit for families and Fido. A miniature version of Yosemite awaits you at the end of this trail, complete with creeks, boulders, and mini waterfalls (seasonally dependent).
There are a few parking lots near the trailhead. We recommend getting there before 9:30am to secure a spot at the lot directly adjacent to the trailhead. Overflow options include one lot across the street and another by the Visitor Center. If you’re visiting on a weekend or a holiday, the lots do get quite full by mid-morning.
Park Hours: 8am to dusk
Fees: $5 per car + $2 per dog (free for service dogs)
Trailhead: Across the footbridge at Canyon View Trailhead
Restroom: Yes
Park at the first parking lot after the fee station at the end of Geary Road. Park map downloaded from East Bay Regional Park District. Click to enlarge. For the trailhead, look for the footbridge, or signs for Canyon View Trail.
Though it looks steep here, the trail actually takes you gradually up and down a scenic hill. Generated via caltopo.com.
Parking is located just beyond the fee station at the end of Geary Road.
STEP BY STEP
↑ Start your hike by crossing the footbridge at Canyon View Trailhead.
→ Make a right onto Canyon View Trail.
Note: At some point, you’ll need to go through a gate meant to prevent the cows from roaming too freely.
→ Turn right onto Cerro Este Road.
↑ Cross Camp Ohlone Road and step down into Little Yosemite.
↓ One you’ve finished exploring Little Yosemite, go back up Cerro Este Road and Canyon View Trail to return to the trailhead.
A gentle climb up Canyon View Trail.
The perfect place to bask in Mother Nature's finest offerings on a weekend morning.
The area aptly named "Little Yosemite" includes a mini waterfall, creek, and pretty leaves...
...however, the waterfall and creek are only active during and shortly after the rainy season.
MUSINGS
The payoff on this short, unassuming hike was wonderful and unexpected. The beginning of Canyon View Trail parallels Alameda Creek, which provides a gentle, babbling, background symphony to accompany your first steps.
Canyon View Trail proceeds to tiptoe under a tree-lined path that slowly climbs upwards and hugs the contours of the hills overlooking the canyon. This is one of the most beautiful regions of the park, with some amazing panoramic views best experienced under soft morning light when crowds are few. You’ll also pass by some cows and calves grazing peacefully.
Little Yosemite holds a lot of promise in its name, and it’s certainly one of the main attractions of the park, but it’s best viewed in the spring or early summer if you want to see some running water. We visited in the winter, so the area was pretty much dry. Not to worry - we’ll be back again soon.
This route got quite crowded by mid-morning. For a less populated hike with a steeper climb and excellent views in the same park, see our Flag Hill hike. We actually paired the two hikes together on the same day, which is another great option if you’re looking to extend your adventure.
A mistletoe-covered tree.
A beautiful view of the canyon below.
MORE INFO
Some Reminders
There are a few trails that seem to extend from the parking lot, but to take the correct one, remember to first take the footbridge across the creek, and then hang a right.
These trails are… let’s just say… well-fertilized. Be careful not to step into any cow pies! Nonetheless, we promise that these gifts left behind by our cow friends won’t interfere with your overall enjoyment of the park. That said, please admire the cows from a distance for your safety.
Please keep the park beautiful by cleaning up after your dog!
Helpful Resources
Official park page and trail map here.
Good Eats
There are limited dining options in Sunol, but the park is near both Fremont and Pleasanton which have plenty more. We tried The Kebab Shop in Fremont. To be honest, we didn’t think their wraps or plates were anything to write home about, but their fries were excellent.