Mission Peak Regional Preserve

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 3,023 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.