Nor-Cal Rabble:

Each of the three sites has very much to recommend it. Here are the lead paragraphs from the respective websites and their links:


Calaveras Big Trees S.P.
(114 miles east of Livermore; Sierra Nevada foothills, 4,000 ft elevation)

Calaveras became a State Park in 1931 to preserve the North Grove of giant sequoias. This grove includes the "Discovery Tree", the first Sierra redwood noted by Augustus T. Dowd in 1852. This area has been a major tourist attraction ever since, and is considered the longest continuously operated tourist facility in California. (read more)

Mountain air and walking paths among the giants of the earth. These are the trees used to make Alan H-sized cabers.


Caswell Memorial S.P.
(40 miles east of Livermore; way2fractious' back yard)

The park is located along the Stanislaus River near the town of Ripon, California. The park protects a fine example of the threatened and still declining riparian oak woodland, which once flourished throughout California's Central Valley. Caswell is home to several endangered animal species, including the riparian brush rabbit which is not known to occur anywhere else. (read more)

Good access to the natural banks of the Stanislaus River. Only 10.5 miles by bicycle from my home (or by car, or walking ).


Del Valle Regional Park
(10 miles south of Livermore; Farlander's back yard)

Deep in a valley framed by oak-covered hills, with sailboats and sailboards skimming over its waters, Del Valle is like a lakeside resort only 10 miles south of Livermore. Centerpiece of the park is a lake five miles long with all kinds of water-oriented recreation, surrounded by approximately 5,000 acres of beautiful land for hiking, horseback riding, and nature study. Del Valle also is the eastern gateway to the Ohlone Wilderness Trail, 28 miles of scenic back country trail. (read more)

Growing up in Livermore, I have ridden a bicycle to this lake many more times than I have driven it. Nice picniking grass and swimming beaches for kids.

I'm jazzed about any of three possibilities.

w2f