black diamond mines regional preserve

Great road paving, albeit narrow, leading up to the historic mines. Too bad they would not allow us to drive up to the cemeteries located on the property to visit family graves. We are elders and disabled and could not walk the hills and back from them (4 miles).

I've been going to Black Diamond for years first with my young kids and now with my grown daughter and once or twice with a co worker. Black Diamond Mines is a great place to get some exercise and commune with nature. I have yet to go on a tour, but have been to the museum which is very interesting. The mine museum is especially nice (and cool) in the summer months. My personal favorite place is Nortonville. Really you can't go wrong there. Pick up a map and start hiking. Also be sure to bring water.

One day, I was out for a ride on my motorcycle and ended up at Black Diamond Mines. I went for a short hike and went to the museum. If you go during the summer months, beware there are snakes there and although they try to avoid humans, they do end up biting a few people each year. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and have returned several times since.

Very interesting hike. There are a couple of different options for hikes ranging from easy to strenuous. We went in the off season, so did not actually get to go on a tour through the mine but were able to look in which was very interesting.

great views from the restaurant, cool course, friendly service, and reasonable prices.it is really easy to find and easy to get to, my buddies and I really enjoyed their happy hour at golfing

Cool haunted cemetery, multiple hiking trails. Trails worthy of hiking or running; the parks are well manicured and maintained throughout Antioch.

This place is really really underrated and deserves more attention when it gets ... It's a huge park full of very scenic trails. But it's way more than that. It's hard to believe, but it used to be a home for about a dozen busy mines and about 5 towns where miners lived, so trying to find those old sites makes it a real adventure. A hint - look for not native trees, metal pieces and rocks. There is also an old pioneers cemetery. But the crown jewel is the mine tour. The tour is just $5 for about 90 minutes (btw, the entrance fee to the park is $5 per car - really cheap), but it's well worth it. You'll learn a lot about the history and how big role this place played in the Bay Area history. For a few decades it was providing the main source of energy for the growing Bay Area and later in the times of the Dust Bowl the mason jars helped to feed the US population from the newly developed agricultural lands in California - it's amazing to see how this tiny area was playing such a big role.A couple advices.1. Summers here are hot. The temperature can go way over 100F, so check the weather and be prepared. On the positive side there are plenty of shady areas and the temperature in the mines is about 60F all year around.2. Reservations. The beauty of the guided tours is that they keep the groups really small. My group was just 4 and they keep it under 15. So make a reservation by phone or on-line. 3. You can pay for the tour tickets by credit card but you need to pay the entrance fee in cash, so bring some dollars.Also, it was very exciting to see how much is going on over there. They keep updating the roads, opening up more and more mines, keep everything in good order - so it's a very live and going park with a lot of enthusiastic people. They have a lot of events and programs, so check out their schedule.Overall, if you like nature, history, adventure - that's probably the best park in the Bay Area to go to and unfortunately it's one of the least known.

My husband and I heard about the Hazel Atlas mine tour from a friend. It's a 90 minute tour for only $5 - well worth the price. You spend almost an hour sitting listening to a guide talk about the history of the mine and watching a slide show. It's interesting, but a little long. Definitely not ideal for young children.The rest of the tour is spent walking around the mine with hard hats and lights. It's a beautiful mine, it opens up to 40 ft rooms that are very impressive. You get to see old mining equipment and fossils.Bring a jacket, it gets very cold!

About a two mile hike in from the locked gate (need a key provided with reservation from main office off Somerville if you want to car camp)There is fenced in boundary to camp site with two swinging gates and a wonderful 4 picnic bench shade structure along with bench seating around the perimeter. No water at site. Pit toilet was cleaned by Regional Park staff as we arrived.Star Mine is closed but the Prospect Tunnel is about half mile hike across the Stewartville Trail. Fun adventure for younger kids.Trails through the hills allow for views and different levels of physical challenge.Carry plenty of extra water, there are a few livestock water troughs in the Preserve but your water filter will thank you if you don't pump from them to often!Great spot for mountain biking as well.Finish off your trip with a dip in the Contra Loma Regional Park reservoir, just have a lazy relaxed morning, the swimming area doesn't open until 11am.

Check ahead to see if there are any mine tours. This is a great park full of history. Several plaques to read about the mines and towns that had been up here. Views are amazing if your willing to do a little hiking. The hikes can take your breath away if your not toned for it. Rose hill cemetery is a good little hike to start with. Near the parking area is a nice shaded picnic area. Remember to take water, hats, sunblock and watch for snakes and other critters.

If you enjoy hiking in hills and scrubland while learning about history, this site is for you. There are miles of easy to medium trails that take you to the many homesteader and mining sites that dot the landscape. Off season it is free to get in, during the Spring and Summer, only $5 for a car.Bring some water and a lunch and enjoy the East Bay hills.

Just go there. You will see history and what Antioch Was all about. Take you children with you. Real good history here.

Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve is a park located on the grounds where an old mine once stood. Black diamond refers to the mining of coal and there were once several thriving communities located here. Today, all that remains are the mine shafts and an old cemetery. There are numerous hiking trails and the view out over the nearby hills and San Joaquin River is great. There was no fee on the day that we were there. The hiking is mostly over hills, so sturdy footwear and stamina is necessary. Also, if it has rained recently, mud would be a problem. Several picnic tables are located around the area and there was ample parking. A nice way to get some fresh air and exercise while learning about the early days of the community.

I am at peace going up and down these beautiful hills. Great views of the Contra Costa county and beyond.

This place offers lots of hiking trails of different levels, lengths, views, wild life; guided tours to the mines and cemetery...