Siesta Valley Recreation Area

For those making the trek, the trails stretch from Berkeley to Orinda, offering colorful vantage points where the entire city comes into view from the hills. However, setting foot here requires some planning: hikers must secure an EBMUD permit, and visitors note that hours and access rules can be unclear. When the open-air theater comes alive—hosting events like an August bluegrass festival—the space transforms into a venue for multi-hour jam sessions backdropped by sunsets over the ridges.