Mount Diablo State Park

Offering a bird's-eye view of 38 Californian counties on a clear day, Mount Diablo is perched 3,849 feet above sea level—therefore making it the highest peak in all the Bay Area. In fact, all fifty-six reservable campgrounds sit at least 1,500-feet above sea level; the primitive campsites at Juniper Tree Camp boast the highest camping elevations at over 2,900-feet. The State Park is well-known for fantastic hiking and waterfall viewing opportunities along Donner Creek Trail Loop, as well as treating park-goers to distant views of Yosemite's Half Dome.  And, for the adrenaline junkies among us, bouldering walls can be found at Boy Scout Rocks and Pine Canyon areas. (Take note that Pine Canyon climbing routes are closed from February to August every year to safeguard the peregrine falcon families nesting along the rock face.)