mount diablo summit drive

5 Things To Do On The Mount Diablo Summit Drive

Mount Diablo can be easily explored from the San Francisco Bay Area. It has some of the most breathtaking views of the bay, and you can sometimes see up till the Golden Gate Bridge as well.

Whether you are a nature enthusiast, a history geek, or looking for a getaway, Mount Diablo has various experiences to offer. Take a day trip from San Francisco to change up the scenery and enjoy amazing views from Mount Diablo.

As you drive up to the summit, here are the 5 best things to do along the way.

About Mount Diablo

Firstly, if you are not familiar with Mount Diablo, it is a prominent landscape situated in the Tri-Valley just off the eastern part of the San Francisco Bay Area.

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How high is Mount Diablo?

The summit stands at 3,849 feet (1,173 meters) above sea level. This gives you a panoramic view of the bay and surrounding region.

Why is it called Mount Diablo?

The story behind its name is actually quite strange. In the 19th century, the natives were trying to escape from Spanish missionaries who wanted them to join and help out with various work. One day, they mysteriously disappeared into a thicket, which led to the name “thicket of the devil” and hence Mount Diablo.

How did Mount Diablo form?

Did you know that years ago, Mount Diablo was actually submerged under the sea?

Originally, it was just a part of the tectonic plate. Due to tectonic plate movements and volcanic activity, this land mass got pushed upwards with the sedimentary rock that were “scraped” up from the seabed. You can also see evidence of this geographical history through the fossilized remains on some of the rocks.

Things to know before visiting the park

Opening hours: 8am to sunset

Dogs allowed? Yes

  • Must be leashed
  • Only in developed areas of the park
  • Not allowed on trails and park buildings

Park entrances (map), check for updates and closures here

  • Mitchell Canyon Rd
  • North Gate Rd
  • Green Valley Rd (Macedo Ranch)
  • South Gate Rd

How to get to Mount Diablo

You can drive in via the North Gate or South Gate as only those have major roads laid out for vehicles. These 2 roads will meet at the Junction Ranger Station where you need to pay vehicle fees. If you were wondering, the other 2 entrances will lead to various trailheads which are more suitable for hiking and not driving.

Sometimes the North Gate entrance might be closed, just like in 2023 summer season where it was closed for repair works. In that case, you can start your Mount Diablo Summit Drive from the South Gate entrance.

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Driving in from the South Gate

Driving time from various starting points to Mount Diablo Summit (without traffic), through South Gate entrance

  • San Francisco: 1 hour 16 minutes
  • San Jose: 1 hour 24 minutes

You will be driving on the Highway 680 to Danville, followed by an easy drive through Diablo Road and Mount Diablo Scenic Boulevard. Then you will ascend the mountain via South Gate Road. Once you reach the Junction Ranger Station, the Summit Road takes you all the way up to the peak.

Best time to visit Mount Diablo

Depending on your interests, there is a great variety of experiences in each season. Most people would enjoy either Spring or Fall for the pleasant weather.

Mount Diablo in Spring

In Spring (March to May), witness the gorgeous wildflower blooms and rolling green hills. The weather is pleasant and is ideal for starting the hiking season. If you’re planning to visit any waterfalls spring would be the best time as melted ice feeds the falls.

Mount Diablo in Summer

Summers (June to August) can be quite hot, so you will need to plan an earlier hike in the morning for the best experience. Remember to bring enough water and don’t forget sun protection! In any case, you could just drive to the summit and enjoy the views along the way instead.

Mount Diablo in Autumn

Did you know that it is tarantula mating season in Autumn (August to October)? Male tarantulas will migrate in search of females, so you may see them during your hikes. Don’t worry, they are quite harmless to humans. In fact, you can also sign up for scorpion and tarantula hikes in Autumn. In addition, the landscape will turn a gorgeous orange, giving you a stunning view all around.

Mount Diablo in Winter

Winter (December to February) brings with it a dusting of snow to create a unique landscape. The trails are less crowded and you can enjoy the crisp winter air. As visibility might be better in winter, you may even see up to the Sierras mountain range as you look out in the distance.

1. Admire rock formations in Rock City

If you are entering from the South Gate, one of the first attractions you will see is Rock City. You can either rest at the picnic bench near the parking lot, or walk further in to check out the unique rock formations.

Here, you can find caves and boulders that have been eroded over time. Look out for the Wind Caves and Sentinel Rock as you wander around.

In addition, you may find some fossils that suggest this area was once submerged under the sea. Hence, the Trail Through Time also passes through Rock City.

2. Stop at overlooks and viewpoints on Mount Diablo

The Summit Drive is also full of various viewpoints with panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. Take your time as you are driving to stop and admire the beautify of the Bay Area, small towns, and more mountains in the distance.

Viewpoints along the Summit Drive

One of the popular viewpoints along the Summit Drive is the observation deck just above the Summit Visitor Center. You can also drop by the Diablo Valley overlook near the Juniper campground and Livermore Valley Overlook.

Pro tip: Plan a premium outlet shopping trip at Livermore too to maximise the day

Viewpoints and trails that you can hike to along the Summit Drive

  • Juniper Trail
  • North Peak
  • Devil’s Pulpit

3. Picnic with a view of the valley

Just below the summit, you have a scenic picnic area that overlooks the valley. It is located at near the Mary Bowerman Trail that leads to the summit, and you can get there via the Summit Road. There are limited parking spaces, which also means that the area might be quieter than usual. 

Alternatively, if you have made reservations at the Juniper Campground, you get to enjoy the view there. Having a picnic at the campground benches overlooking the valley is such an amazing experience that you should not miss.

4. Learn about Mount Diablo’s story in the Summit Visitor Center

The Summit Visitor Center is open from 10am to 4pm everyday. You can learn about the rich history and the story behind the amazing land formation. It is very family friendly with lots of diagrams an interactive displays. You can also learn about the wildlife and take a sneak peek of a tarantula taxidermy on the counter!

Since the Summit Visitor Center was built directly on the peak, they exposed some area of rock under the building structure. That means that you can stand on the actual peak of Mount Diablo while you’re in the Summit Visitor Center.

5. Camp at Juniper Campground and watch the sunset

If you have more time, extend your visit to Mount Diablo State Park by camping at Juniper campground. Make sure that you set aside extra time to prepare dinner and set up your tent, so that you can relax and enjoy the view at sunset.

There is hardly a better place that is this accessible to the San Francisco Bay Area, and yet offers such a great view of the valley. As the day turns into night, watch as the city lights light up below you, and gaze up at the stars.

Visibility gets even better in winter so it’s one of the best places in California for winter camping. Just remember to prepare cold weather camping gear so you can enjoy yourself.

You are able to reserve campsites up to 6 mounts beforehand, check out the availability here.

  • Check-in time: 2pm
  • Check-out time: 12pm
  • Cost per night: $37.99 ($30 + $7.99 Reservation Fee)
  • Maximum 2 vehicles and 8 people
  • Amenities: Picnic table, Fire pit, food locker, toilet, showers

Read more:

Looking for more outdoor activities in California?

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Janice

Janice, a California-based travel writer from Singapore, discovered her love for hiking and camping during her studies in Los Angeles.

Through her blog, she now shares detailed itineraries for adventures in California, Asia, and beyond. She also talks about gear recommendations and tips for beginners, hoping to inspire them to explore the great outdoors with confidence.

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