Newsletter Signup  |  Joanie's Blog  |  Login

Hello Nature Lover   
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00AM-6:00PM | Sun 11:00AM-5:00PM
About East Bay Nature
Joanie's Blog
Products
Seeds, Nuts and Suet
Our Seed Mixes
Bird Walk Schedule
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Services
Store Location
Back Yard Birding Tips
Los Vaqueros Reservoir
Los Vaqueros Reservoir    

Resting in a pristine valley east of San Francisco, Los Vaqueros Dam was the first major water project built in California in more than 15 years. The key reason for its success has been the Contra Costa Water District's commitment to mitigate all environmental impacts to less than significant levels.

There are 2 entrances to the watershed. The north end of the watershed near Brentwood, includes the updated John Muir Interpretive Center. You can hike to the top of the dam, and there are a variety of challenging trails available with rewarding views.

Birds:water birds, raptors

Hiking Difficulty: 2

Directions:

  • Take the 680 Freeway north.
  • Take Highway 4 east.
  • Exit onto Hillcrest Ave.
  • Turn south on Hillcrest Ave and go up the hill about a mile.
  • Where the road splits at Deer Valley Rd, turn left, staying on Hillcrest for another 3 miles.
  • At the shopping center, turn left onto Lone Tree Way and stay for a mile.
  • Turn right onto the Highway 4 Bypass for 2.3 miles.
  • Turn left onto Balfour Rd and into town for about a mile.
  • Turn right onto Walnut Blvd for 4.8 miles.
  • When the road splits at Vasco Rd, turn to the right, staying on Walnut and drive to the entrance gate.

 

 

Hiking Difficulty codes:
1=Easy, very few hills to climb
2=Moderately Easy, some small hills to climb
3=Challenging, flat land ranging to gentle to some steep slopes
4=Difficult, some very steep hills to climb

At the Water Cooler


I'm lucky to have a lot of trees in my yard many of which are native to this area. I have one very large one that grows close to the house - a big kahuna that produces lots of acorns in certain years. This year, they're everywhere. Dropping on the cars in the driveway, hitting the roof. There are more acorns here than I've ever seen...

continue reading
...

East Bay Times Article


Attracting birds and bees to our yards and gardens is simple, if we provide what they like and need.

Joanie Smith, owner of East Bay Nature in Walnut Creek, says there are five essential elements for success — water, food, cover, nesting and safety.

continue reading
...