Nearly all of the regional parks are dog friendly and most of them permit dogs off leash on trails if the dogs are well-behaved and come when called. They have to always be on leash in parking areas and picnic sites. However, there are a few parks that do not permit dogs because of sensitive habitat such as Regional Parks Botanic Garden, Huckleberry Regional Preserve, Vasco Caves, Round Valley and Brushy Peak, they must be on leash even on trails. They are not permitted on most shorelines or swim areas either but you'll want to check the website to verify where and where they are not permitted. Morgan Territory is close to you, near Clayton. That is a wonderful hiking parks and dog friendly too. Ticks are part of the environment but tend to be worse in the spring when the grass is green. You won't find as many at the end of summer and fall but do check your dog (and yourself) after hiking.    « less

Each year the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will waive the fishing license requirement for citizens 16 or older. The next Free Fishing Day is scheduled for Saturday, September 27. Free Fishing Day allows people the opportunity to fish on all freshwater and ocean waters in California. On this day, the East Bay Regional Park District also waives its $4 fishing fee. For our fishing lakes and the fish that are planted in each, visit www.ebparks.org. and go to the activities link on the left. Look for the fishng link. More information is also available on fishing in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Free Fishing Day program at www.dfg.ca.gov/fishinginthecity.    « less