Touring * Fitness * Historic * Slalom * Artistic *

Heading south on Interstate 680 after crossing the Benicia-Martinez Bridge, exit onto Highway 4 East. Approaching from the south on Interstate 680 in Pleasant Hill, take the Highway 242 exit toward Concord and Pittsburg, and follow it northeast and then east as it merges onto Highway 4 after 2.5 miles. Follow Highway 4 approximately 10 miles to Antioch. Take the Hillcrest Avenue exit and follow Hillcrest south 0.4 miles where you turn left to stay on Hillcrest. Continue about 1.25 miles until you see Wild Horse Road on the left. Watch for the 7-11 store and you can't go wrong. Before turning left onto Wild Horse, look to the right from the stoplight and you will see the trail entrance. Park in Hillcrest Plaza near the 7-11 store.

The Delta de Anza Regional Trail is truly an excellent find. It's just far enough away from the heavily populated areas near the San Francisco Bay to be pretty much unknown. The trail covers about 11.5 miles through Antioch and Pittsburg. An extension to the west crosses the ridge to Concord. What's more, a proposed extension to the east would extend the canal trail 1.3 miles east over a ridge to connect with the 2.25 miles of paved trail in Oakley. In short, there's a lot of potential here.

The trail follows the Contra Costa Canal that brings water from the Delta to north-central Contra Costa County. It's name commemorates Spanish soldier Juan Bautista de Anza who explored this area in 1776. The trail probably wasn't even paved yet. If you plan to skate this full round-trip in the summer, make sure to carry something to drink, because these hills heat up, and the only water fountains are at Antioch Community Park three miles up the trail and Canal Park.

Start skating on the west side of Hillcrest Avenue, on an eight-foot-wide asphalt trail that flows down a gentle hill next to the canal on your left. The landscaping along Hillcrest is extensive, so even in the hot season, there's green scenery, if not shade. A couple of intersections lead off to residential areas up the hill on your left, but cross traffic is light. Leaving Hillcrest, the canal and trail climb up a low ridge and curve to the west. The trail dumps out onto a sidewalk on Wildflower Drive. Follow the sidewalk west to the stoplight at Deer Valley Road, cross Deer Valley, and turn south on the sidewalk until you regain the canal trail a block away.

The Contra Costa Canal now stretches out to the west, bisecting a pretty valley bordered by low hills (with homes on them--you can't have everything). Mount Diablo dominates the view ahead. The new asphalt sections are on again-off again from this point. The older sections of paving aren't rough, but remaining tar patches can be slick or grabby. A couple of streets cross the canal on bridges that make short but fun hills on the trail. At Lone Tree Way, stop and check the trailside kiosk for free brochures on the Contra Costa Canal Trail. Beyond the busy crosswalk at Lone Tree, the canal side is free of urban scenery for half a mile, until it meets James Donlon Boulevard. Cross the boulevard and skate another half mile to the entrance of Antioch Community Park on your left. The sidewalks in the park are pebbled, which makes skating less fun, but it's a nice spot to get water and take a break.

When you're refreshed, continue on your westward trek along the newest asphalt of the Delta de Anza Regional Trail as it weaves along the valley behind two more Antioch neighborhoods. The trail crosses the canal on a foot bridge and continues west through Canal Park where restrooms, water and trail maps are available.

At Somersville Road, turn right (north) on the sidewalk and go a few hundred yards to Buchanan Road. Cross both Buchanan and Somerville to get to the northwest side where you find the trail again.

This section of the trail has several dramatic drips where you can really pick up speed. Pass behind Los Medanos Community College and continue to Loveridge Road. Cross Loveridge and turn left along the sidewalk for about 50 yards where you will find the trail continuing to the right behind the school service area.

After a few more dips you'll arrive at Harbor Street with a convenient McDonald's nearby. We turned around here on our last visit, but you can continue on to Bailey Road. At Bailey, you must go right (north) under busy Highway 4 to find the continuation of the trail just north of Mims Ave. (We'll explore this section in the future.) The Bel Air trail, just across Bailey goes a half mile or so west into the Bel Air neighborhood.

Returning to our start, there is a half mile section that goes east from behind the 7-11 at Hillcrest. It ends with a steep climb to Ridgeline Drive.

• EBRPD Delta de Anza Page - Trail Description and Map

• Marsh Creek Trail