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Rock City Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 485 Google reviews · Running trail in Danville, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- 0.8 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Rock City Park'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.
State park offering hiking trails and scenic views from atop sandstone formations.
What runners say about Rock City Park
“It's a perfect picnic stop with great views over the rock blocks and the valley.”
“Fascinating place to take a short (less than 1/2-mile), easy hike and see the interesting rock formations and Sentinel Rock.”
Mt. Diablo Rock City has some of the most surreal- looking sandstone formations you’ll find in the Bay. It is fun place, adventure for young-age and family. I wished it has cable to climb up and back down for safety just like half dome. So I don’t get thrill with a hazy wind across the valley.
We did a small hike. I'm 7 months pregnant and I have a 3 year old. Thankfully I had the All Trails app because the trail they listed was not well tended. There was a ton of poison oak when you get into the lower shaded areas and the path is really narrow.
Vast and amazing park. Once you pay the fee (they take card) you can drive up this road that winds all the way up the mountain to the summit where there's a tower that overlooks the whole mountain range. Along the road up, there are plenty of spots to park and trail heads everywhere.
Rock City was great to see! The rock formations are unique and beautiful. It's easy to walk through and some of the rocks you can climb. I recommend visiting, especially if you're also visiting Mt. Diablo and going through the south gate entrance.
Trail conditions & character
“Once you pay the fee (they take card) you can drive up this road that winds all the way up the mountain to the summit where there's a tower that overlooks the whole mountain range.”
“Wearing shorts didn’t prevent skinned knees due to the challenging climb to the nesting caves that are high up and slide down facing your knees to the rock wall.”
“Not many restrooms so find one before you go on your hike.”
“The parking isn't properly shown in the maps, but there are actually 3-4 places where you can park around the actual sentinel rocks.”
Plan your run at Rock City Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- Distance0.8 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Websiteparks.ca.gov
- Phone+1 925-837-2525
Hours
| Monday | 8 am–6:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 8 am–6:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 8 am–6:30 pm |
| Thursday | 8 am–6:30 pm |
| Friday | 8 am–6:30 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am–6:30 pm |
| Sunday | 8 am–6:30 pm |
Running trails near Danville
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Elephant Rock
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Sycamore Valley Open Space Preserve
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