For those who live in the Oakland flatlands, there’s little respite from the constant grind of city life. Many residents, especially those who rely on public transit, lack the resources to escape urbanity and enjoy Northern California’s wilderness — or so they think. What many people don’t realize is that Dimond Park, located only about two and a half miles away from Fruitvale BART station, is the nexus of over 500 miles of hiking trails that span the entire East Bay. A developed recreational area with playgrounds and picnic tables, this park is a portal to lush forests filled with towering redwood trees, burbling creeks, and sweeping vistas.
Stan Dodson, a longtime Oakland resident, is a leading activist working to educate Oaklanders about the wealth of natural wonders inside the city’s borders. For those who are curious to explore local trails but don’t know where to start, Dodson offers free hiking tours for anyone who’s interested. All you need is to gather a group of eight to 16 friends and schedule a time that works for everyone via his website.
“Right here in the heart of Oakland, we’re connected to a trail system that spans the entire East Bay. You could hike for days and days. It’s incredible,” said Dodson. “You can escape to deep woods, or find a ridge-top clearing with views of the entire Bay Area. These are Oakland treasures.”
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I am Jeff Clark, founder of Internet Brothers, producer of this blog, and passionate about hiking. I live in Western NC near the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains. Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests are just out my door, so the content will focus on these areas, but let me know what you would like to see on the site. 
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