Niles Canyon

Niles Canyon is a gorge between Sunol and Fremont carved by Alameda Creek through the eastern hills of the San Francisco Bay Area. The valley extends for several miles and is framed by steep slopes covered in dense vegetation, with State Route 84 running through its entire length.

The canyon took its name from Niles Station, established during the building of the transcontinental railroad. This station replaced the earlier Spanish name Cañada Molina Vallejo and shaped the area's identity for generations.

The canyon served as a filming location in the 1910s, where actors including Charlie Chaplin performed in front of the natural landscape. This cinematic past remains part of the valley's identity and draws visitors interested in early entertainment history.

The road through the canyon winds sharply and leads through tight passages with limited space on the sides. It is wise to drive slowly and watch for oncoming traffic, especially when two vehicles meet head-on.

Two separate railroad tracks run side by side through the canyon: the heritage Niles Canyon Railway on the northern rails and Union Pacific on the southern side. These parallel tracks tell the story of two different eras of rail travel that coexist in the same valley to this day.

Location: Alameda County

GPS coordinates: 37.58060,-121.96500

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:26