$10 permit is required and is good for 1 year. You can easily purchase the permit on your phone from the trail head. The required permit also keeps the traffic low on the trails. We usually don't see many people on our hikes. It's a beautiful, easy, moss covered hike along the Briones reservoir. The entire loop around the reservoir is 14 miles, but we usually hike in a few miles and turn around. There are two main trails from this trail head, Oursan Trail and Bear Creek Trail. Dogs are only allowed on the south bound Oursan Trail. No swimming or fishing in the reservoir.

I took Bear Creek Trail to the right as an out and back. Did not quite make it to the other end but went over six miles round trip. I saw people occasionally but it didn't feel crowded. I also did not feel uneasy in the seclusion. It felt like a lot more elevation climbing going out, so seemed easier heading back. Lots of poison oak! I made sure to wash up well when I got home. Permit required for this trail. Took Oursan today to the left, completely different experience than Bear Creek. Only saw one hiker. This trail is best for cool weather. Lots of very steep climbs.

Lots of parking, a clean and decent bathroom, and a classic Bay Area trail. Buy your permit ahead of time (annual pass) and you’re good to go! Lots of great flora and fauna on this trail and it’s well kept for the most part. Pack water, there’s no potable water available. Great times!

This is a great place to hike! If you go left from the parking area, you’ll run along the reservoir on a grassy plain. If you go right, you go through the woods for the first mile or two, then see the shore! There’s a lot of cool native flora and fauna, and almost no people. One note: you’ll need an EBMUD permit (a day pass costs $3, and u can bring 3 guests!) If you need a bathroom, head over to Inspiration Point.

Very nice hike with shade and rolling hills.

Hiking around the reservoir is a surprisingly nice experience. Yes, there's lots of infrastructure everywhere (power lines and such), but the reservoir is gorgeous in the sun and the banks of it provide a lot of environment variety (forests, sunny grasslands, hills, etc.).

Great place to start a trail run or hike. There are decent elevation changes on either trail, so be aware of that going in. There is *always* window glass all over the parking lot. At every staging area (parking lot) along Briones and San Pablo Reservoir there are *constant* car break-ins... IF you leave things in your car. Hide your things or arrive very minimally. Trust me. Even with police and EBMUD patrols, the break-ins do not cease. DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING IN YOUR VEHICLE. In fact, leave it unlocked. I’m not joking. Use your Oakland and SF wits, leave nothing visible in your car.

Awesome hiking spot, great views, nice to share the trail with cows, and a beautiful drive to get there.

This is a beautiful Trail it overlooks the East Bay mud Reservoir. However a permit is required it's $3 for one day or 10 dollars for one year. Enjoy!

Briones reservoir is one of the most beautiful places in California to hike, the water is clean, the air is pure, and the view is awesome, it's dog friendly and a great place to hike when it's warm outside, because of the shade the trees give, I highly recommend this place located in Orinda California.

I love this place we're cyclying and we running , hiking beautiful place.