BARTable by bike: Delta de Anza Trail
Where:
BART Station:
Pittsburg/Bay PointThe Delta de Anza Trail connects you to the Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve and Contra Loma Regional Park in the Delta region. Photo courtesy of BARTable staff.
Editor's note: BART is currently running reduced service with dispatched long trains to ensure riders have room to socially distance.distance. If you plan to ride BART, see our feature, Tips for riding BART during COVID-19.
Before heading out, please be aware of local requirements on social distancing and wearing a mask. Alameda County and San Francisco city health officials require residents to wear face coverings any time they leave home and get within 30 feet of anyone not living in the same household. If you need a mask, check out our feature, Bay Area businesses selling masks during COVID-19.
Difficulty
Terrain
Cautions
Introduction
With this ride, we'll explore the rolling hills of East Contra Costa County along the Delta de Anza Regional Trail. Follow the route taken by Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza during his 18th century expedition through the Delta region where the present-day cities of Pittsburg and Antioch are located. Our ride takes you to the serene reservoir of Contra Loma Regional Park, and if your legs are feeling up for it, tackle the steep climb into Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve to experience even more natural beauty along with the former sites of thriving coal mining towns.
What to bring
Comfortable riding shoes, helmet, water bottles, sun protection (hat, sunscreen), extra layers or rain gear (just in case). A smartphone is handy for maps and looking up information or taking photos. And, of course, your Clipper card. Make sure to download the Ride with GPS app so you can easily reference the route.
How to get there
The ride begins directly outside of the Pittsburg/Bay Point Station. Exit the station, follow the road down to the traffic light at Bailey Road and you'll find the beginning of the trail on the southeastern corner of the intersection next to the Highway 4 on-ramp (don't get on the freeway!).
Short route
Long route
Highlights of the ride
Rolling hills
The trail starts out flat and runs along Highway 4, but quickly moves into quieter pastures and the rolling hills begin. Most of the hills on the trail are preceded by a descent, so as long as you keep your momentum up, they're not particularly taxing.
Contra Loma Regional Park
Contra Loma's 775 acres include a peaceful 80-acre reservoir with many trails surrounding it for year-round bike rides, walks, and hikes. In the summer, the swim lagoon (currently closed as of January 2021) is a popular way to cool off. Additionally, family-friendly music events with food and beverages frequently take place.
Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve
Originally populated by the Chupcan, Volvon, and Ompin Native Americans, after the arrival of the Spanish, Mexican and American settlers in 1772, life in this area changed rapidly. Cattle ranching was the major industry here until coal was discovered in the mid-1860s. Today, little sign of the past remains.