Down in Del Valle

A regional plan adopted in the early 1990s to revitalize agriculture and limit urban sprawl is largely responsible for preserving the Tri-Valley region’s semi-rural character.

From any densely populated area, wide-open views that you can enjoy with Rover at your side are just minutes away.

The region’s recreational epicenter is Del Valle Regional Park, 10 miles south of Livermore.

A five-mile-long lake sits in the center of this hilly, 5,000-acre preserve, and 67 miles of hiking trails are waiting to wear out your paws. Here as at most parks in the East Bay Regional Park District, dogs under voice control are allowed to amble off-leash undeveloped areas.

Rover can accompany you almost everywhere at Del Valle except the swimming beaches, but with 16 miles of shoreline splash spots to explore, that exclusion will hardly cramp your style.

Fishing at the lake is said to be good, and the lake’s marina maintains a rental fleet of motorboats, patio boats, pedal boats, kayaks and canoes. A 150-site campground is available to those who want to make a night of it.

Start your visit at the park’s designated dog run, which starts at the cattle gate just past the boat-launch area.

An easy, tree-line path winds above the lake, offering numerous opportunities to head down to the water and pick out a spot for a picnic or a game of water fetch.

The park is popular with equestrians, so be prepared to meet horses on the trail, and always observe good trail etiquette.