OK, I thought it was best to be up-front right from the beginning. I’m not a hiker. Not even a little bit.

It’s not that I don’t enjoy hiking on the rare occasions I’m roped into it. I do. It’s kind of like watching PBS or washing the dogs. I’m always glad I did it afterward, and the process itself is actually quite enjoyable. But it’s not something I’d do without somebody else along who was much more into it (and, ideally, better prepared should we run into poison oak, rattlesnakes or some other charmingly “hike-y” sort of environmental element or condition.)

The sad truth is I’m not much of an outdoor guy. Oh, I love the beach and walking downtown. Camping, with easily accessible bathrooms, can be fun if the weather is nice and somebody remembered to pack the guitar, a good book and the s'mores gear. But from where I’m sitting, in my living room, lizards belong on National Geographic specials. And wild animals that could eat me should only be in stories I read my 6-year old daughter — wearing bow ties, funny hats, playing with their critter kids and talking in perfectly metered rhyming verses.

That said, I have enjoyed at least a few of the most beautiful parks in the Tri-Valley area over the past several years. And I have to admit, we are quite fortunate to have such gorgeous natural terrain a short drive or bike ride from home.

Here’s my very limited, biased review of some of our local gems:

Pleasanton Ridge (Pleasanton) – This is a popular destination for hikers, mountain bikers and folks interested in getting a brisk workout in a natural setting. The last time I was there it was dusk in the summer and after the steep initial trek to the first plateau (south entrance), the view of the valley framed by the lavender sky provided a cool, scenic backdrop for a rustic picnic. I’ve also covered more of the ridge’s trail system with the family and the dogs. It’s a moderate to strenuous workout, depending on how fast you go. But for a few nerve-rattling moments, my dogs were perilously close to challenging a large group of cows to an ill-advised turf war. I was grateful not to re-enact a particularly troubling scene from the movie “City Slickers” when the cows seemed less affected by my pooches than the other way around. My son did one of those East Bay parks wilderness education programs one summer, Ridge Runners, that used another area of the park and he loved it.

Shadow Cliffs (Livermore) – Summertime finds this spot hosting heat-escaping townies and residents from the outskirts looking for a dip in the manmade lake, motorcross bikers, light-intensity hikers with and without their dogs, and a popular triathlon series. A special bonus is the waterslides—number four is the best but has, predictably, the longest lines. I like to go there with my son but have been there by myself when the kids were out of town with their mom. What?

Del Valle (Livermore) – I’ve only been there a couple of times. First, when a windy spring day and an overturned kayak caused me to reconsider resuming a brief childhood experience. The second was a victory party for a client who was a competitive endurance athlete completing a combined 15-mile bike ride and 15-mile run to celebrate his 40th birthday. It’s more expansive than Shadow Cliffs and many of my friends and clients really enjoy the lake and surrounding park. I hear it also has a cool summer weekend music festival called Two Day Town.

Sunol Wilderness (Sunol) – This place is stunning, plain and simple. The wildflowers in the spring and the breathtaking falls known as “Little Yosemite” make the trip worthwhile by themselves. Don’t sweat the sign at the beginning of the main trail that warns you about the mountain lions. I didn’t – much.

There are so many other wonderful natural settings for hiking, camping and just enjoying the grandeur of nature right here in our own back yard. Check the East Bay Regional Parks website for a comprehensive overview.  

Happy hiking, even you reluctant ones.

Dan Taylor is a 20-year resident of Pleasanton and a nationally certified fitness trainer and educator. Dan can be reached at TriValleyWellness.com.