|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
With the new year comes a new season of Save Mount Diablo’s Discover Diablo programming, consisting of new additions as well as the return of some familiar favorites.
The organization has announced the 2026 lineup of 37 events, which features a new opportunity to explore the former Green Ranch site on the southern slopes of Mount Diablo to the east of the San Ramon Valley, as well as a Spanish language hike.
“Our saunter takes us past spring wildflowers and other botanical wonders to the site of historic Green Ranch,” Save Mount Diablo organizers wrote in the description for the March 24 outing. “We’ll explore the remains of the once celebrated house and surrounding structures and share tales of the area’s fascinating history.”
Meanwhile the Spanish language hike through Pine Canyon is set for May 9. While the event marks the first of its kind in the Discover Diablo lineup, this year’s offerings also include a walk along the Bay Point Regional Shoreline in both Spanish and English, led by the organization’s senior land use manager and conservation chair Juan Pablo Galvan and land stewardship manager Roxana Lucero on March 21, a prime time of year for birdwatching as shorebirds migrate north for the spring.
“It is the goal of the Discover Diablo program to build connections between people, Save Mount Diablo, and the land, helping our communities develop a strong sense of place and a deepened appreciation for our collective backyard,” Save Mount Diablo Executive Director Ted Clement said in the press release.
“Most importantly, we want to cultivate a love of the land in participants, as that is what it will take to ensure the precious Diablo natural areas are taken care of for generations to come,” he continued.
While Save Mount Diablo was founded 55 years ago with the goal conservation and stewardship of the Mount Diablo Region in particular, the Discover Diablo lineup consists of events across the organization’s conserved areas and on parklands in the mountain range throughout Contra Costa, Alameda, Stanislaus, and San Benito counties, aimed at providing opportunities for a range of outdoor adventures both near and far.
Returning favorites this year include rock climbing on March 7 and Oct. 3, the Pinnacles condor hike on Feb. 13, the Mitchell Canyon Medicinal Herb Walk on May 2, the Queerness in Nature Hike in partnership with Branching Out Adventures on Sept. 23, stargazing with the Mount Diablo Astronomical Society on June 20, and the two Tarantula Treks on Sept. 4 and Sept. 18.
2026 marks the ninth year of the Discover Diablo program, which was founded with the goal of spreading Save Mount Diablo’s efforts to make community connections and foster residents’ bonds with the natural beauty of the region.
While Save Mount Diablo engages in other efforts throughout the year aimed at fundraising and garnering support for their land acquisition and stewardship efforts, the Discover Diablo series is always free and open to the public. In addition to educating and entertaining the community, the events are a way for Save Mount Diablo experts to showcase their passions for the region.
“Discover Diablo hikes are guided by experts steeped in the natural history and lore of the region, who both educate and entertain while emphasizing the breathtaking beauty that the Diablo Range has to offer,” Save Mount Diablo officials said in their press release. “Save Mount Diablo hopes the Discover Diablo series will spark a passion for the Diablo Range and deepen people’s connections to the land and nature.”
Registration is now open for the first two events of this year’s program: the annual Dr. Mary Bowerman birthday hike on Jan. 25, and a landscape and wildlife photography excursion at Pinnacles National Park on Jan. 31. Registration for each event opens approximately one month ahead of time. More information is available at savemountdiablo.org.
Draeger's Market closing store in Blackhawk, cites 'declining condition' at plazaJanuary 9, 2026 4:37 pm