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El Centro Trailhead (Dimond Canyon)
4.6 ★★★★★ 56 Google reviews · Running trail in Oakland, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from El Centro Trailhead (Dimond Canyon)'s own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Park featuring a trail, a creek, and an unusual attraction: a piano under a tree.
What runners say about El Centro Trailhead (Dimond Canyon)
Wow! What a spectacular little hidden gem of a cañon! Lots of blue birds, blue dragonflies, green plants, and flowing water. The piano on the riverbank was a very unexpected surprise! Trail is scrambly and chossy in sections for sure, so wear good shoes or be comfortable with using supports for safety.
More than half of of dimond canyon trail and old canon trail have been washed out since 2021. Still able to walk the full oath but you have to rock hoo across the stream. Wear waterproof boots and be careful.
Nice place to take a walk along the creek. The Friends of Sausal Creek have done some excellent restoration work and have some really engaging outreach programs.
Cool place for a bbq nice weather lots of trees and wildlife great for a hike👍
Trail conditions & character
“There is only parking here for one or two cars.”
Plan your run at El Centro Trailhead (Dimond Canyon)
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websitesausalcreek.org
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 5 AM–9:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 5 AM–9:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 5 AM–9:30 PM |
| Thursday | 5 AM–9:30 PM |
| Friday | 5 AM–9:30 PM |
| Saturday | 5 AM–9:30 PM |
| Sunday | 5 AM–9:30 PM |
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Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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