Briones Regional Park

Briones Regional Park is a nature reserve spanning roughly 6,100 acres across rolling terrain with narrow valleys and elevated ridges in Contra Costa County. The highest point reaches around 1,480 feet (450 m), creating varied views across the protected landscape.

The area takes its name from Felipe Briones, who established cattle ranching here in 1829. His widow later received a Mexican land grant in 1842 that formalized the family's holdings in this region.

Grazing animals like cattle, sheep, and goats roam across the slopes, maintaining a working landscape that has shaped the land for generations. This pastoral character is something you notice immediately as you walk through the park.

You can enter from several towns including Lafayette, Orinda, Pleasant Hill, and Martinez, with parking available at Springhill Elementary School and Bear Creek Road. Multiple access points give you flexibility depending on where you're coming from.

California newts travel to breeding ponds within the park each year, depositing eggs in waters that were originally built to serve cattle operations. This unexpected connection shows how old farming infrastructure now supports wildlife.

Location: Contra Costa County

Operator: East Bay Regional Park District

Website: https://ebparks.org/parks/briones

GPS coordinates: 37.93580,-122.13700

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:03