HomeCaliforniaSan Leandro › Fairmont Ridge Staging Area

Fairmont Ridge Staging Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 152 Google reviews · Running trail in San Leandro, California · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Distance
70 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Fairmont Ridge Staging Area'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.

Mixed70 miScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADAHillyRestroomsWaterTrailhead parking

Area with winding dirt trails and a paved path, for off-leash dog walking.

What runners say about Fairmont Ridge Staging Area

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (152 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 12 mentions

“The convenient location, beautiful views just minutes away, and various paths make it an ideal spot for exploration.”

🐕 dog-walking favorite 5 mentions

“Only warning it is an unleashed dog walk park so one may be surprised by aggressive dog charging at you.”

Lots of options for paved walking or dirt trails. We like to bring our dog and meet other dogs and their families there. The best is if it’s a clear day and you can get a view from both sides (Castro Valley and Lake Chabot to one side and the bay/East Bay/Peninsula/SF to the other).

★★★★★ — Emily , Apr 2022

Good, very quiet hiking spot. Dogs are allowed offleash, so lots of dogs and their owners walk through. Very steep incline to many of the paths. Benches along the way to sit and enjoy the view.

★★★★☆ — Janai , Feb 2023

I've been a regular visitor for years, seeking a quick recharge in nature close to home. The convenient location, beautiful views just minutes away, and various paths make it an ideal spot for exploration. 🌳 all the trails are simple and the breathtaking scenery from the benches up top makes it worthwhile.

★★★★★ — Adriana , Dec 2023

Its a nice spot for hiking, mountain top view of Lake Chabot and sunset. Only warning it is an unleashed dog walk park so one may be surprised by aggressive dog charging at you. May be want to carry a stick with you to defend from aggressive dogs! Limited parking in front of locked gate.

★★★★☆ — Rak , Nov 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 152 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🐕 Dog-friendly 37 mentions

“Only warning it is an unleashed dog walk park so one may be surprised by aggressive dog charging at you.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 25 mentions

“The best is if it’s a clear day and you can get a view from both sides (Castro Valley and Lake Chabot to one side and the bay/East Bay/Peninsula/SF to the other).”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 13 mentions

“It's a 40-minute walk on asphalt from the parking lot back but if you go on the dirt trails then it's a bit longer.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 8 mentions

“It's a 40-minute walk on asphalt from the parking lot back but if you go on the dirt trails then it's a bit longer.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 6 mentions

“The fire road is wide, accessible, and STEEP for about the first half mile.”

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🚻 Restrooms 3 mentions

“The only thing that would make this Trail better would be public restrooms-- there are none.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible 2 mentions

“The fire road is wide, accessible, and STEEP for about the first half mile.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

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🚰 Water fountains

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🏃 Long-run distance (5mi+)

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Plan your run at Fairmont Ridge Staging Area

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • Distance70 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websiteebparks.org
  • Phone+1 888-327-2757
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 5 am–10 pm
Tuesday 5 am–10 pm
Wednesday 5 am–10 pm
Thursday 5 am–10 pm
Friday 5 am–10 pm
Saturday 5 am–10 pm
Sunday 5 am–10 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Fairmont Ridge Staging Area

2601 Fairmont Dr, San Leandro, CA 94578

Get directions

Running trails near San Leandro

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Lake Chabot Regional Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 4,161 reviews

Castro Valley, CA

70 miMixedLitScenic

Parkland featuring a 315-acre reservoir for canoeing & fishing, plus trails, picnic areas & a cafe.

under a mile away

East Shore Trail Chabot Lake

4.3 ★★★★☆ 10 reviews

Castro Valley, CA

Scenic

under a mile away

Nike Trail | Lake Chabot

4.4 ★★★★☆ 51 reviews

Castro Valley, CA

70 miMixedDog-friendly

Kid-friendly hiking area with picnic tables and a public restroom.

under a mile away

Chabot Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,612 reviews

San Leandro, CA

LoopPavedScenicDog-friendly

Leafy nature area with a big lake, hiking trails & a disc golf course, popular for fishing & biking.

1.5 miles away

Halcyon Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 418 reviews

San Leandro, CA

PavedShadedDog-friendly

Family-friendly park with a kids' playground, picnic benches and barbecue grills, plus a volleyball court.

1.7 miles away

Meek Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 883 reviews

Hayward, CA

Scenic

Landscaped grounds of a historic mansion with play structures, picnic space with grills & open lawn.

2.0 miles away

All running trails in San Leandro, CA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.