Lynch Canyon Open Space

Wow what a well-kept secret in the East Bay. I happened to run into a group of hikers led by the docent Jim. What a fantastic group of people really friendly.The park opens at 9 a.m. 4 days a week. Don't forget to pay the $6 parking. There's also a Outhouse at the parking area.I went on a very long hike throughout most of the trails in the park. Several days after a rain many of the trails were pretty wretched, making it a little difficult to hike. There were some cows and I did have to go around a few mama and calf pairs a few times, but it wasn't a big deal.The trails are generally pretty well marked. However, some of the trails are hard to spot. On a few occasions I had to bring out my smartphone to confirm exactly where I was.

If you find yourself overstuffed with Jelly Bellies after taking the self-guided factory tour in nearby Fairfield, you may want to consider coming here on the way back home. That way you can work off all those sugar-fueled calories you popped in your mouth by hiking some of the over ten miles of trails in the rolling hills of this completely vacant grassland area. The designated open space has an odd entry point through a remote tunnel under the I-80 freeway.You can't quite tell that you need to go on a gravel road to get to the parking lot. Make sure you have $6 in cash to put in an envelope they supply next to the entrance sign. They also provide the pen (if no one has pilfered it) to write your license number down and the lockbox for you to insert your envelope. Got it? OK then, you can finally start walking. Just for kicks, count how many cows you pass by. There were quite a few when I was there, many freely defecating.None of them were all that aggressive and a few questioned why I didn't have leftover Jelly Bellies on me to share. By contrast, count how many fellow hikers you see. I counted one. I suggest taking the North Ridge Loop for the most rewarding views, primarily of San Pablo Bay in the distance. Then take the Tower Trail back. You'll easily be up to at least seventy cows by this point. Oh, and make sure to get back to your car by 5PM, I noticed the park ranger waiting to close the gate on time. No kidding.RELATED - Up for a hike? Here's a collection of trails I've walked and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2OrC8nU

The hills between the valley and the bay are passed through on highway 80 by hundreds of thousands of people but only a few actually get off to explore this area. This is such a unique area because here hot air meets cold air, making it windy and foggy in the summer. However, in the spring before the valley heats up you can enjoy a beautiful sunny clear day. Because few come walk these trails you'll have the trail pretty much to yourself even on a Sunday. Do follow all of the rules and lock the gates behind you because you do share these beautiful grassy hills with livestock.We came across horses here. We also tried to fly kites here. When it is windy enough there are plenty of places to fly kites because there are many open areas.

We went on a guided hike at Lynch Canyon Open Space on Sat 11/28/09. It's a crazy spot to hike that nobody but the locals know about it since it's really under the I-80 freeway! Weird spot, but kinda cool.From I-80, exit at American Canyon/Hiddenbrooke Pkwy. Turn East on McGary Rd (parallel to south side of I-80) & follow to I-80 underpass. Turn Lt and go through gate at end of cul-de-sac to gravel parking lot.Parking is $5 per car as of 11/28/09.There's one pit toilet in the parking lot, that's it.We started at Lynch Canyon Staging Area. Began hike on Lynch Road trail with side trip to Lynch Reservoir. Hiked on Tower Trail. Continued on North Ridge Trail and Saddle Trail. Made a short out and back on Prairie Ridge Trail to a peculiar small structure (private). Returned on Middle Valley Trail.We did about 7-8 mi total from 9:15am-1pm.We saw: cows, birds (waterfowl & raptors), rocks, hills, I-80, some buildings of Napa, Golden Gate Bridge. Pretty cool views. Can be crazy windy there - you've been warned!Hrs:Sat-Mon 9a-5pClosed Tues-FriWebsite:http://www.solanolandtrust.org/o_l_lynchCanyon.php

No dogs allowed- while I understand cattle and dogs have issue but we came from the Bologna's trail in the morning with cows everywhere- no issue. This makes me sad but fear this is an owner issue not a dog issue

The ranger is pretty strict on the 9-5 hours. I parked outside the park and finished my hike at 9:10am. The ranger threatened me with a ticket and trespassing, but let me go with a warning. She did however inform me that Newell Open Space is open sunrise to sunset. So, I looked up the map for Newell and it turns out there's entrance points into Lynch Canyon. The hike was nice overall. Not challenging, but not completely flat either. It's not very well maintained though. Needs trail markers and paths are covered in grass or are rough with hoof tracks or or tire tracks.

During your hike, you WILL encounter cows or some type of herd. Parking is self-serve, $5. Wish I could write more, but we stopped right before the fork where you choose to either: A) continue onto a long walk OR B) proceed onto a more difficult, steeper trail. Option A is the simpler choice. Option B is more difficult, but more scenic. From the top is a view of American Canyon and Napa. More worth it in my opinion, and more of a hike.Not the most scenic hike, but if you want to hike locally...

So I read Caressa N.'s review and thought "Okay, I've hiked/ran in places where there were cow herds close by! This shouldn't be bad." Little did I know, that meant you'd actually have to go DIRECTLY through a herd (or two, or three) of cows. As in, each time we saw cows up ahead, we stopped running, cautiously walked through the herd as they gave us some side eye and snorted in our direction for interrupting their peaceful grazing, and then continued running once we were safely through. Just an FYI for those who may not prefer to be in such close proximity to large animals - this may not be the place for you.Parking seems quite pricey at $6, considering parts of the trails aren't really maintained at all, and the "scenery" isn't great (lots of dried out hills and not much shade)... but it's a decent place to get some trail running in! Otherwise, in any other case, I'll probably go run or hike elsewhere.

Nice place for a hike or a bike ride. Excellent views of the valley. On a clear day, you can see across to the bay. There is no shade, so make sure to bring a hat in the summer time. Also, it can be pretty windy near the top.

Shortly after arriving and enter Lynch Canyon through the Open Gates? I was still in my Vehicle when I was told this by Women in a Truck at about 4PM on Feb 21, 2025 who approached my Automobile from behind. This Staff Member did a excellent job of making me feel Unwelcome. This Individual made me feel unconformable just for entering the OPEN Gates 4PM on 2-21-2025. I thought this behavior was quite rude and unprofessional. I will not likely enter Lynch Canyon again. I will let others know about this unfortunate experience. And TO AVOID GOING TO LYNCH CANYON OPEN SPACE. Unless, they want to be treated like they have done something wrong just for going through the OPEN Gates.