For this week's Escape from SF, we headed east of the Bay toward Mount Diablo (reaching almost 4,000 feet!) to Rock City in Mount Diablo State Park. If you didn't get enough flowers on Valentine's Day, this is a great time of year to see the wildflowers in bloom. Also, you can explore Rock City's noted sandstone formations carved by wind, rain, and time.
You can access the area via the nearby Live Oak Campground, this short scramble of a trail runs about a quarter-mile to the sandstone formations and Sentinel Rock. Climb up the sandstone monolith via the carved steps and cable handrail.
Don't stop there, there's a lot more to explore, including a maze sandstone structure and the Wind Caves. Also nearby you can find Elephant Rock, Lower Rock City, Gibraltar Rock, and the Grotto Picnic area.
You can also get there from a nearby parking lot at the Grotto via South Gate Road. Take Diablo Road from Interstate 680 at the town of Danville. Follow signs to Mount Diablo State Park. You can drive all the way to the top from here.
Cost: $10
Enjoy the beautiful state park. And, as always, be safe and leave no trace.
