Mission Peak

Welcome to Travel Tuesday! Are there any places near where you live that always signify to you that you’re getting close to home again? For me, it’s Mission Peak.

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I’ve climbed this sucker on many an occasion (e.g. check out my Yelp review from back in 2010! The first time I came up here was back when I was 12 years old, but until February of 2016, I’d actually never taken a picture whilst standing on the pole-lookin’ thing. Better late than never, right?!

During Christmastime, someone hauls a Christmas tree up there (complete with lights and everything!), and there are lots of hardcore people that run/bike up there with or without their dogs every morning.

I am sadly not of that caliber, but I do enjoy going up there when I’m home. In the last several years, it’s become somewhat of a tourist/selfie spot. (never in my life have I ever had to wait in line to get to the top in the past…), but it really does offer a gorgeous view of the bay. You can bypass the line/crowds if you climb it super early or later in the day though!

Mission Peak in Fremont, California

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Distance: ~5.6 miles outĀ  + back from Stanford Ave | 7.3 miles out + back from Ohlone College
Elevation Gain: ~2135-2145 feet
Trailhead Address: Stanford (Stanford Ave, Fremont, CA 94539 / 37.50438, -121.90833) | Ohlone (43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont, CA 94539 / 37.52716, -121.91312)
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult (not recommended for beginners)
Duration: ~2.5-4 hours for Stanford, ~3-5 hours for Ohlone (depending on what kind of shape you’re in)
Parking: can suck, depending on which trail you take (read on)

  • Stanford side parking is extremely limited, so if you want any chance at snagging a spot, you’ll have to get there super early (a couple hours before sunrise, but the park technically isn’t open yet at that point). There are 47 parking spots on that side, but hundreds of people will often congest the surrounding neighborhoods.
  • Ohlone side has a lot more parking spaces, but there’s a $4 parking fee M-F 6a-11p and Saturdays from 7am-5pm.
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That’s my brother! :O

The photos from this post are from the Ohlone trail instead of the Stanford trail! In my youth, I mostly hiked the Stanford side but now that I know better, I take the Ohlone side. (It’s prettier, steeper, offers a hell of a lot more shade, and is kindasorta less crowded!)

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I know a lot of people weren’t too happy about the rain we were having, but California desperately needed it, and it’s especially nice hiking this in the winter because everything’s actually green! :]

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Since I’ve hiked this so many times, you may notice a weird difference in lighting (morning/afternoon/evening) since I combined pictures from all these separate hikes into this post!

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There’s a rather majestic-lookin’ hawk(?) who likes to chill on a rock on the way to the top and often does fly-by’s that makes everyone in the general vicinity stop and marvel at its beauty.

...I've never managed to catch a close-up shot because I'm too mesmerized.

…I’ve never managed to catch a close-up shot because I’m too mesmerized.

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If you bring your dog, make sure s/he’s in reasonable shape and bring extra water for em’! <3

Don't worry--she's okay! Just takin' a break!

Don’t worry–she’s okay! Just takin’ a break!

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We made it! :D

We made it! :D

My best friend and I like to hike up there sometimes on a weekend morning (when I’m in town) too, and we usually make breakfast afterward (e.g. Mango Banana Waffles, Tiramisu French Toast…)

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It can get pretty dark, so bring a flashlight and watch your step!

Take-home Tips!

  • Wear sunscreen! There’s very little shade on the Stanford trail (there’s a little more on Ohlone side).
  • Bring a windbreaker/jacket, it gets really cold/windy at the top. If you’re hiking up in the winter, please wear a hat and gloves.
  • Bring a flashlight (or make sure your phone’s charged/put it on airplane mode so the battery doesn’t die) if you’re going to be there while it’s still dark.
  • Bring water (preferably in a hydration pack since parts of the trail can get really steep.
  • Hiking poles can be helpful as it can get muddy/slippery, especially near the top!
  • Don’t piss off the cows. Some have been known to be a bit aggressive. Also, no matter how cute the baby cows are, do not try to pet them!

I’ve been in talks with my friend to thru-hike Mission Peak at some point, so if that happens, I’ll be sure to include an update! (It may well end up being its own post since this would be a 30-mile endeavor!)

Mission Peak in Mission Peak Regional Preserve, Fremont, California | fairyburger.com

Mission Peak in Mission Peak Regional Preserve, Fremont, California | fairyburger.com


  • Do you have any “tourist spots” near your home?
  • What are your favorite hikes to go on in your area?

Permanent link to this article: https://www.fairyburger.com/mission-peak/

39 comments

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  1. Woah! What a view! Definitely putting this on my must-do list next time we’re in CA!
    Kristy @ Southern In Law recently posted…Travel: Sunshine and Our Very Own Riverside OasisMy Profile

    1. Yay! I hope you get to go! It’s a fun and pretty short hike!

    • Ricardo on March 29, 2016 at 1:15 am
    • Reply

    Seriously, don’t piss off those cows. Have you ever played Diablo II? Those bastards in their own level are relentless.

    1. Hahaha, yeah! I love Diablo II! The cow level would be pretty effing terrifying in the real world!

  2. That is a pretty awesome picture standing on the pole! And I love the story about the Christmas tree up there at Christmas time! Looks like a pretty awesome hike! The island where we live is a tourist destination and as a rule we tend to avoid the tourist hotspots (especially since our skin color marks us as tourists to the persistent salesmen hawking horse rides and random stuff), but once in a while it’s fun to go back to the various pretty places on this island that tend to be frequented by tourists more than locals, unfortunately!
    Rachel G recently posted…Disney on Ice + Easter HappeningsMy Profile

    1. Thanks, Rachel! I feel you on the tourist-ones, but I’m with you! Sometimes touristy places are still pretty awesome to visit!

  3. That looks like such a gorgeous hike. I’m glad you had a good time. I went to college near a lot of cow farms and had the same thoughts. Cows can get super angry and I never realized it until I saw one doing it’s thing LOL.

    1. Haha, they can get pretty terrifying when they’re mad! I like to stay on their good side too!

  4. What a fun hike! I am so blessed to have an infinite number of hikes within a couple of hours of me. I’ve been trying to make my way through many of them in the past few years. Such a fun way to spend a day.
    Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…Crustless Kale, Mushroom & Feta QuicheMy Profile

    1. Agreed! Asheville has so many pretty places nearby! I’d really love to go back to visit sometime so I can try going on some of them!

  5. Oh my gosh – absolutely beautiful. I really wish I had more time to get out, explore, and hike when I lived in California. I really need to get out for a good hike.
    Jenn – a traveling Wife recently posted…Ten Refreshing SmoothiesMy Profile

    1. I really wish I’d explored more when I was living here! x_x But better late than never, I guess?
      Farrah recently posted…Ultimate Coffee Date: April 2016My Profile

  6. It looks like you had so much fun!

    XOXO
    Faith
    faithsgirlylife.blogspot.com

    1. It definitely was a lot of fun!

  7. You kicked that hike’s BUTT – if it had one! ;) It’s sad – my parents put a really bad taste in my mouth when it comes to hiking, so I don’t really ever go! Plus, um, LA isn’t exactly the HIKING CAPITAL of the world! LOL!
    GiGi Eats recently posted…Avocados Get Brownie PointsMy Profile

    1. Nooo! How come? What happened? Agreed on LA not being a hiking capital of sorts, but there are some places every here and there that are kinda awesome!

  8. All of our tourist spots are urban. I would love to go for a hike like that! Thanks for taking us :D
    Susie @ Suzlyfe recently posted…The Power of Positivity (Rather than Optimism)My Profile

    1. Anytime! ;P I haven’t gone on an urban hike in a while! :o

  9. Looks like a great hike with some amazing views.
    That’s too bad they charge to park below, but maybe that helps reduce the crowds a little too?
    I have a ton of places locally I love to hike, Utah is sort of a hikers paradise and even if I lived to be 100 I doubt I’ ever have time to hike every trail here(But I’m totally up for trying, LOL). I haven’t even hiked every trail that starts within a 20 minute radius of my house (yet), LOL
    Kristy @Runaway Bridal Planner recently posted…First Weight Loss Goal Achieved and a lot AccomplishedMy Profile

    1. I think the parking fee does help to drive away some people, Which is definitely helpful for not wanting crowds around. Sometimes they don’t check on the weekends, which is kinda nice too!

      Seriously, all the hikes you do in Utah make me hella want to go visit! Hopefully at some pointā€¦ And I can see how it’d be hard to hike them all! So many to choose from!

  10. Ah, that’s so fun!! I would have loved that hike!
    Hahaha, cows <3 My favorite animal ;) RESPECT!
    Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Freedom Feature: Chelsea Gray “Today With Mama Gray”My Profile

    1. It’s definitely a fun one! And yay for the cows!

  11. Looks like an awesome hike with great views! Sounds like one me and Hubby would enjoy doing some time! Love the pic of you standing on the pole and the one with you sitting staring down at the view of the Bay! :)
    Sharon recently posted…Manitoba Harvest Hemp Protein Smoothie ReviewMy Profile

    1. It was a lot of fun! I hope you get a chance to hike it at some point! And thank you!! :D

  12. lol I love all the pose photos on the stick-y thing at the top! This looks like a fab mini hike to get your heart pumping and see fabulous views before breakfast! I wonder if you trained for a bit, if you could run all the way up…

    1. There are actually people who do that! + someone who hula hooped all the way up, and another who biked almost all the way up (the very top wouldn’t be conducive to biking, but still a suuuuper impressive feet). I’d have to train for a longgg while to get that kind of endurance though! :P

  13. What a cool trail. I really want to explore this area in more depth.

    1. It’s a cool place! I miss when it wasn’t so crowded but it’s nice that people are getting outside/exercise!
      Farrah recently posted…Seattle Pike Place Market Food TourMy Profile

  14. What a great hike! Yes, we have a ton of hiking near us. We love Rocky Mountain National Park for hiking!

    1. Ahh, that’s so awesome! RMNP is one of my favorite national parks! :]
      Farrah recently posted…Seattle Pike Place Market Food TourMy Profile

    • Erin from Pina Travels on January 4, 2022 at 10:26 am
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    I’ve always wanted to road trip California and hit up all the great hikes like this one! I love that it’s a short one, but delivers such gorgeous views. Thanks for sharing!

    1. I’m always looking for more hikes like that! :P Thanks for stopping by! :]
      Farrah recently posted…Seattle Pike Place Market Food TourMy Profile

  15. What an amazing hike! Sounds like a great way to escape the city, and a great place to meet some interesting characters (and furry friends) along the way. I’ve added Mission Peak to my list of places to hike in California!

    1. hehhe, definitely! I like that it’s so close to where I live too–great for an early morning workout! :D
      Farrah recently posted…Seattle Pike Place Market Food TourMy Profile

  16. Sounds like a beautiful spot for a hike. I especially love that it is a spot you visit over and over again. I have a favorite spot like that here in Vermont too!

    1. hehe, yeah! This is probably the hike I’ve repeated the most times in my life! :] I’m hoping to visit Vermont at some point to do some hiking!
      Farrah recently posted…Seattle Pike Place Market Food TourMy Profile

    • gloria li on January 4, 2022 at 2:26 pm
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    Very scenic! I just recently moved to the US and planning to do some sightseeing. Glad to see such spots in California

    • Karen Warren on January 4, 2022 at 4:51 pm
    • Reply

    I like hearing about a hike that you do often since your childhood. I have a couple of hikes that are like that ,both where I grew up in Michigan and here on the East Coast. Itā€™s great to hike them again and again and see changes every time. Watch out for those cows!

    1. That’s awesome! There are several I’d love to do again in other states that I’ve visited but that’s sadly gonna have to wait! The baby cows were so, so adorable!!! (But we did steer clear of them!)
      Farrah recently posted…Seattle Pike Place Market Food TourMy Profile

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