Park (Hike 39).
Redwood. Redwoods, which draw their name from their red bark, are native to the Bay Area and are some of the tallest trees in the world—growing up to 380 feet high and 24 feet wide. For their size, they have a surprisingly shallow root system. Their roots grow outward (as far as one hundred feet from the base) instead of downward, and they intertwine with the roots of neighboring redwoods to increase their stability. Redwood bark has evolved for survival: it grows up to one foot thick to protect the trees against fire damage, and the bark’s tannins prevent insect damage.
Many of the area’s original redwoods were logged to build homes in the gold rush era. A second generation of redwoods grew in their place, but these second-growth redwoods were logged to rebuild after the 1906 earthquake. Many of the redwoods you see in the area today are third-growth trees. Though you can find small groves of redwoods in many parks throughout the East Bay, check out Redwood Regional Park (Hike 16) for the most impressive display.
Eucalyptus. Eucalyptus trees first came to California on Australian ships heading into the bay during the gold rush. At that time, trees were sparse in the Bay Area and settlers knew they’d need wood for building homes, for firewood, and to create windbreaks. People brought more eucalyptus into the area over the following decades as they began to fear a timber shortage.
At first, eucalyptus seemed like the perfect solution, as it grows fast, creating forests in years instead of decades. However, people soon discovered that the trees really were only good for firewood: they were too weak for large-scale structures like homes, and they cracked even on a smaller scale when made into railroad ties. There is an ongoing debate on just how flammable the trees are, but one thing seems to be true—eucalyptus trees grow back quickly after fires. Some people even think that eucalyptus trees like fires because fires let them crowd out other species. They do shade out other species with their canopy, and their leaves emit chemicals that suppress growth of native plants—even after the leaves and trees are removed. Eucalyptus is a contentious species in the Bay Area, and many people have strong opinions about whether they should be saved or chopped down to prevent fires and allow native plants to return.
WILDFLOWERS
In the East Bay, wildflower season comes in spring, usually peaking in April. The flowers—natives and non-natives alike—arrive seemingly overnight, bringing splashes of vibrant color to the already verdant hills. Here are some popular varieties to look for, though there are so many more to see!
Lupine. There are many types of native lupine; one striking variety is the arroyo lupine, which is deep blue-purple with patches of white. This plant can be found throughout the entire state of California and can grow to more than two feet tall with columns of densely packed flowers toward the top. Look for the arroyo lupine along low-elevation hillsides with full sun. And look for other varieties of lupine along the trail, including the golden lupine, bush lupine, and more. These plants bloom predominantly between the months of February and May.
California Poppy. The native orange California poppy has been the state flower since 1903. The state celebrates poppy day on April 6 and poppy week May 13–18. At one to two inches across with four fan-shaped petals, these cheery blooms can generally be spotted between February and September.
Yarrow. Yarrow thrives in many places, but the varieties that grow natively in California produce lacy-looking clusters of white and pink flowers atop green one- to four-foot-tall stalks. They most frequently bloom in May and June. Native Americans used these plants as medicine, and they’re also a great addition to butterfly gardens.
Yellow Oxalis. Native to South Africa, this plant with cloverlike leaves and bell-shaped, almost neon yellow flowers was brought to California in the early 1900s. It blooms across grasslands from November to April, but seems to come out in full force in January and February just as spring arrives in the area. While beautiful, oxalis plants take light and space away from native wildflowers and are considered a nuisance.
A cluster of cheery California poppies brightens a trail at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline (Hike 4).
Wild Mustard. Hailing from Europe and Asia, wild mustard is thought to have been brought to California by Spanish missionaries who scattered seeds along El Camino Real to make the road easier to find. Now you can find these tall plants with small yellow blooms all over the Bay Area (and the state). Wild mustard crowds the habitat of native plants and is considered a nuisance.
Broom. Brought from Europe in the mid-1800s as a garden accent and soil stabilizer, broom grows as a dense shrub with fragrant yellow flowers and seedpods that look like peapods. While innocent looking, the plant is an aggressive invader that threatens native plants and is also a fire hazard.
Fragrant, but invasive broom flowers on a trail in Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve in spring (Hike 9).
Poison Oak. An unfortunate but common plant along East Bay hiking trails, poison oak contains urushiol, an oil that can cause a skin rash or blisters. Remembering the old adage “leaves of three, let it be” can help you avoid it.
To distinguish poison oak from other plants with clusters of three leaves, remember that poison oak leaves have smooth edges, rather than jagged ones, and can be green or red, depending on the season. The leaves somewhat resemble those of oak trees and are often shiny. In winter, when there may not be leaves to help you identify poison oak, stay away from smooth branches; if the plant you’re looking at has thorns, it may be blackberry. On official trails, you are unlikely to come into direct contact with poison oak. If you think you or your pet has been exposed, wash your clothes and your pet; the oil can linger on both. Several products on the market can remove poison oak oil from your skin in case of exposure.
WILDLIFE
The Bay Area is a thriving habitat for animals—those that are native to the area and those that have been brought in for grazing. One native animal you may see roaming throughout these parks is the coyote. Generally nocturnal, coyotes are most active early in the morning and at sunset. You are less likely to see one in the middle of the day. If you do encounter one, do not feed it (or any wildlife), don’t let your dog off leash, and don’t turn your back on it or run. Coyote attacks on people are very rare, but if a coyote approaches you, shout at it or throw small rocks near it (not at it).
More than coyotes, however, you will likely see cows in parks across the East Bay Regional Park District. The EBRPD currently uses 6000 cows, 1600 goats, and 1500 sheep to graze park grasslands, a process in place for more than fifty years. Grazing is used to reduce fire risk and encourage native plants and wildlife to thrive. Cows are rarely aggressive. If you encounter one, speak calmly and give it space. Don't walk through a herd or between a cow and its calf.
Ticks are also common in Bay Area parks. It’s a good practice to do a full-body tick check after each hike. If you find a tick on yourself, remove it with tweezers (be sure to get its head) and put it in a jar or plastic bag that you can keep in the freezer for
