Alameda County
By Jennifer Walker
The county was formed on March 25, 1853 from a large portion of Contra Costa County and a smaller portion of Santa Clara County.
The word ‘alameda’ means ‘a place where poplar trees grow’, a name which originally was given to the Arroyo de la Alameda (Poplar Grove Creek). The willow and sycamore trees along the banks of the river reminded the early explorers of a road lined with trees, also known as an ‘alameda’.
Much of what is now considered an intensively urban region, with major cities, was developed as a trolley car suburb of San Francisco in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The historical progression from native American tribal lands to Spanish Land Grants, thence to farms, ranches, and orchards, suburbs and eventually cities, is shared with the adjacent Contra Costa County.
Alameda County has some of the most picturesque cities and towns in California, many that overlook San Francisco Bay. Being a smaller county on the edge of San Francisco, residents have the luxury of hopping over the Bay and enjoying what the fantastic city has to offer.
But let’s not get too hasty. Alameda County has its own mouth watering attractions that keep the residents happy and tourists coming back for more. We will focus on what Alameda County has to offer in many of its diverse trail systems, shows and historic attractions.
SHOWS
The Alameda County Fair and Horse Show in Pleasanton, is celebrating its 97th year.
The Alameda County Fair is the largest and oldest fair in the Bay Area, with millions of visitors having come from around the state — and the world — to experience a day at the fair.
They offer a mix of old-time favorites, such as pig races, livestock judging, funnel cakes and carnival rides. You can always count on seeing new attractions at the fair each year. The 2007 fair feature high-flying Frisbee dogs, crazy animal racing, farmyard follies and food jugglers. There really is something for everyone to enjoy.
Want to horse around?
Let’s go to the Spring Stampede!
The California State Horsemen’s Association Region 5’s 14th annual Spring Stampede roars into town and Livermore Rodeo Grounds at Robertson’s Park plays host.
The Spring Stampede brings folks together for a weekend of fun and offers a variety of special events. The Spring Stampede is open to the public and Spectators are free and more than welcome! Come on out and have a root’in, toot’in time!
The Spring Stampede has something for everyone! If you don’t ride come out anyway and watch the competitions, stroll through “Vendor Alley” where items from crafts to tack and trailers will be available.
Yarra Yarra Ranch Equestrian Center in Pleasanton puts on the California Dressage Society Yarra Yarra Dressage Show that runs each month. The Yarra Yarra Ranch has a fabulous set up. Yarra Yarra was founded in 1959 and is family owned and operated by Carolyn and Patrick Adams. The new facility was constructed in 2001 and includes a beautiful fully enclosed 100’ x 240’ arena with 40 stalls, warm water wash racks, bathrooms with granite counters, showers and a lounge. The barn boasts 16’ wide aisles paved with non-slip interlocking rubber pavers.
Trails & Rides
Mount Diablo State Park
Mount Diablo State Park has one approved horse camp, BBQ Terrace. The camp holds up to 50 horses and 50 people. To make it easier, most of the state park trails are equipped with unlocked gates allowing access across fence lines.
Alameda Creek Trail
This 12-mile trail stretches from the Bay east to the mouth of Niles Canyon, and borders Coyote Hills on the park’s north side. It is actually two parallel trails, with an equestrian trail on the northern levee and a bicycle trail on the southern levee, connecting with the Coyote Hills’ Bay View bike trail. Hikers are welcome on both trails.
Alameda Creek is Alameda County’s largest, and is home to a host of birds and other wildlife. Long ago its rushing waters provided a valuable resource for the Ohlone Indians who first settled in camps and villages along its banks.
Movie making came to the Niles district for a short stay during World War I, when the Essanay movie production company moved in. Charlie Chaplin, Ben Turpin, Gloria Swanson and others got their start in movies in Niles before the industry settled in Hollywood.
The Alameda Creek Trail opened in January 1973. The project was funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, and the East Bay Regional Park District.
Alameda Creek Regional Trail follows the banks of Alameda Creek in southern Alameda County from the mouth of Niles Canyon (in the Niles District of Fremont) westward to San Francisco Bay - a distance of 12 miles.
The trail on the south bank provides access to Coyote Hills Regional Park. An additional 3.5 mile loop trail making the run west from Niles Canyon along the trail, through Coyote Hills and back again, qualifies in distance for marathon runs. For those who want to clock shorter distances along the trail, markers have been installed at quarter mile intervals.
The trail is accessible from several thoroughfares in the Fremont, Union City and Newark areas.
Iron Horse Regional Trail
This multi-use, whole-access trail between the cities of Concord and Dublin follows the Southern Pacific Railroad right-of-way established in 1891 and abandoned in 1977. The completed Iron Horse Regional Trail will span the distance from Livermore in Alameda County to Suisun Bay in Contra Costa County, a distance of 33 miles, connecting two counties and 12 cities. Representing interagency cooperation and a community-wide effort by individuals and groups, this trail creates an important recreational and commute component for the communities it serves. The 20-foot-wide trail connects residential and commercial areas, business parks, schools, public transportation (BART, County Connection), open space and parks, regional trails, and community facilities. It spans 24.47 miles.
Six days, 100 miles; East Bay Hills Benefit Ride
A great fundraiser for trails, Tilden Wildcat Horsemen (www.twha.org) and Metropolitan Horsemen hosted their fifth annual Six-Day 100-Mile East Bay Hills ride.
In 2006 this popular fundraiser attracted 92 enthusiastic riders and 70 volunteers who rode East Bay Regional Park Trails and camped in Tilden Park’s Es Anderson Equestrian Camp, Sequoia Arena and at the Concord Mt. Diablo Trail Ride Association property in Clayton.
Attractions & Places of Interest
Shadow Cliffs, Pleasanton
This charming East Bay swimming hole provides residents with cool comfort on hot summer days. The 296-acre area features an 80-acre lake with a waterslide, picnic tables, and a refreshment stand and changing facility. A boat rental shop distributes rowboats, paddle-boats and motorboats, although visitors can also launch their own boats (up to 17 feet). Fishing is also a popular activity at the lake. You can buy baits at the boathouse. In the summers you can get windsurfing lessons and rentals here. Call for times.
Mission Peak, Fremont
This is a steep summit that offers spectacular views of the San Francisco Bay Area. Recommended for the serious hiker, it’s approximately a five-hour hike to the top of the 2,999-acre park and back down again. Once on top you can see Mount Hamilton, the Santa Cruz Mountains, Mt. Tamalpais, Mt. Diablo and the Sierra Nevada. The park also provides a connection to other notable regional trails to hike including the Ohlone Wilderness Trail.
Ohlone Wilderness Trail
Don’t let the lazily grazing cattle or the absence of soaring granite peaks fool you. Hiking the Ohlone trail is no Sunday stroll. Its elevation ranges from 400 to 3,800 feet, with pampering switchbacks in short supply. But impressive vistas and abundant wildlife will compensate generously for your hill-climbing labor.
It’s a rare day that you won’t spot a deer, coyote, or bobcat crossing an open ridge, or a golden eagle circling majestically overhead. You might also see some of the feral goats and pigs that have taken up residence in these hills. Ohlone Trail has four camps, one for equestrians.
Broncho Billy Film Festival and Symposium, Fremont
Back when Hollywood was mostly a desert, there was a thriving film industry in Northern California. This festival showcases films here and, in particular, those of the Essanay Motion Picture Company, which opened its Niles River branch in 1912. The festivities always include screenings of films by Broncho Billy, as well as other silent western stars such as Tom Mix and William S. Hart, not to mention another of the studio’s early stars, Charlie Chaplin. There are tours of historic sites, a Chaplin look-alike contest, and fascinating symposia on early western films.
Garin and Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park, Hayward
Picnic facilities, horseback riding and hiking trails, fishing in Jordan Pond - this park has a lot to offer. It is popular with naturalists with a variety of plant and animal wildlife to enjoy. The Garin Barn Visitor Center, open on weekends, offers programs for visitors to identify different species at their own leisure through pamphlets and displays. Additional displays teach about local history. Many enjoy the blacksmith shop and the antique farm equipment. In the late summer the park hosts an apple festival with folk music, games and, of course, apples.
The Concerts At Wente Vineyards, Livermore
Take a trip to the sun-kissed Wente Vineyards, for a grand experience in outdoor music. Enjoy the concerts held there in a beautiful alfresco amphitheatre with an old style winery and hills as your backdrop. Let the superb performances as well as the nature around enthrall you for hours. If you are a Club Wente Entertainment member you can avail of privileged tickets and discounts. You can combine your trip down here with a visit to the winery’s award-winning eatery.
UC Berkeley
No story about Alameda County can be told without mentioning this famous institute of higher education.
The roots of the University of California, Berkeley go back to the gold rush days of 1849, when the drafters of the State Constitution, a group of vigorous and farsighted people, required the legislature to “encourage by all suitable means the promotion of intellectual, scientific, moral and agricultural improvement” of the people of California. These early planners dreamed of a university which eventually, “if properly organized and conducted, would contribute even more than California’s gold to the glory and happiness of advancing generations.”
