HomeCaliforniaOrinda › Siesta Valley Recreation Area

Siesta Valley Recreation Area

4.5 ★★★★★ 193 Google reviews · Running trail in Orinda, California · Dawn to dusk

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Dawn to dusk

Confirmed from Siesta Valley Recreation 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.

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Natural area known for hiking trails, a seasonal open-air theater & picturesque bay views.

What runners say about Siesta Valley Recreation Area

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (193 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 14 mentions

“Home to the California Shakespeare Festival Wonderful live theatre in a gorgeous outdoor setting.”

This place is incredibly beautiful and scenic. During our visit with my family, we took my niece on a trail walk. The views are colorful, and you can see the entire city from the hills. I highly recommend it—definitely a five-star experience!

★★★★★ — Vishruth , Mar 2025

Very lovely park with several picnic tables. We did not get a chance to go on hiking trails. Saw a wonderful show in the evening.

★★★★★ — Diane , Jun 2018

Great views. Decent amount of wildlife and well regulated by rangers. Trails can get a bit muddy.

★★★★☆ — Damon , Jan 2017

Beautiful you can see clear across to SF bay lots of hiking trails by Tilden park

★★★★★ — Kimberly , Feb 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 193 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.

🏞️ Scenic views 24 mentions

“Spectacular views of the San Francisco Bay area from Marin to San Francisco and the Peninsula, as well as the East Bay and Mt.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

“Trails can get a bit muddy.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly

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Plan your run at Siesta Valley Recreation Area

The practical stuff

  • AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • 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.
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Trail mapOfficial trail map
  • Websiteebmud.com
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 6:30 AM–8:30 PM
Tuesday 6:30 AM–8:30 PM
Wednesday 6:30 AM–8:30 PM
Thursday 6:30 AM–8:30 PM
Friday 6:30 AM–10 PM
Saturday 6:30 AM–10 PM
Sunday 6:30 AM–8:30 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 Siesta Valley Recreation Area

100 California Shakespeare Theater Way, Orinda, CA 94563

Get directions

Running trails near Orinda

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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Seaview Trailhead

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Old Tunnel Road Staging Area

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LoopMixedShadedScenic

Hiking spot featuring multiple trails, some of which connect to Tilden Park.

1.2 miles away

Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,415 reviews

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LoopMixedLitScenic

The site of an ancient volcano, this park offers self-guided tours & features many hiking trails.

1.3 miles away

All running trails in Orinda, 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.