The best dog-friendly hikes and walks in Crockett Hills Regional Park

As this Scenic Drive is a deadend for cars, ending halfway at Ozol, even this first section is a pleasant walk, without traffic and frequent vistas across the water.

The Alhambra Pioneer Cemetery, originally called the Martinez Cemetery, was originally a portion of the town of Martinez, surveyed into town lots. In March, 1869 the Alhambra Cemetery Association (A.C.A.) was incorporated, purchased the land and operated the cemetery for the benefit of upper and middle class residents. In subsequent years, the Cemetery grew to five acres in size. Immediately west of the Cemetery was a three-acre parcel called Potter's Field, operated by Contra Costa County, where the indigent and unknown persons were buried. The City of Martinez took over the operation of Alhambra Cemetery in 1976 and Potter's Field (which was then merged with the cemetery) in 1992. Currently, the Recreation Department oversees the cemetery. There is no cemetery office nor is on-site staff present. Inside the gate one will find an incomplete and often inaccurate list of those buried there, and a map of the Cemetery. There are an estimated 5,500 people buried in the Cemetery, many undocumented and many buried without headstones. The city inherited incomplete burial records from both A.C.A. and the County. The key to unlock the gates may be obtained from the Martinez Police Department, which is located at 525 Henrietta St. and is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. It is possible to obtain the key on weekends, but since no clerical staff is working then, response time can be trying. Additionally, the cemetery is open for several hours on two Saturdays each year (in April and October) for volunteer cemetery cleanup and occasional cemetery tours.

Lovely foot trail along the creek, with a bridge, and a continuation from downtown historic Martinez to the Wharf and Shoreline trails.

The Rankin Aquatic Center in Martinez is a vibrant community pool offering a range of aquatic activities for all ages. There are separate areas for shallow and deep-water swimming, including a diving tank with a diving board, and a play structure featuring a water bucket, adding an element of fun for younger swimmers. The schedule includes Tot Splash, Recreational Swim, and Lap Swim sessions, with varying hours throughout the season. The facility also offers pool party rentals. The full schedule for Rec Swim and Lap Swim are available on the RAC website. Age 3-17: $5 Age 18-54: $7 Age 55+: $6 https://www.cityofmartinez.org/departments/recreation/swimming-rankin-aquatic-center

Use the park as the meeting point for hiking with friends. The place is clean - keep it the same and collect any garbage that might be around

The park is the beginning and end of the hike. It has a good parking place, restrooms and good for a short bite after the hike.

This flat, paved trail spans 0.75 miles and offers breathtaking bay views. It is a popular multiuse path, so be mindful of cyclists. A vault toilet is available at the West K Street entrance

The Carquinez Strait Scenic Loop Trail spans fifty miles and offers stunning views of the Carquinez Strait as it follows the shoreline. It connects to five regional trails, providing numerous options to extend your hike in different directions. This part of the trail offers scenic views from Dillon Point, where you can enjoy vistas of the bridge in the distance.