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Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve

Trails above ground and mining history below: a regional preserve with an underground visitor center and a separately booked Coal Mine Experience.

Regional preserve · At Clayton's edge · East Bay Regional Park District

Information checked

The 30-second version

Checked September 6, 2026

Where
Main entrance: 5175 Somersville Road, Antioch, CA 94509
ebparks.org
Hours
Gate hours are seasonal and change through the year; the district's park page lists the current schedule.
ebparks.org
Dogs
Leash in parking, developed and picnic areas and within 200 feet of entrances, or as posted; voice control always.
ebparks.org
Bikes
Designated trails only.
ebparks.org
Horses
Horseback riding is listed; individual trail permissions follow the map and signs.
ebparks.org
Fees
A vehicle fee is collected at the main staffed kiosk. That is not evidence of a fee on the Clayton side.
ebparks.org

Check the district's notices for trail closures before going.

Nothing here is a live report. Whether a gate is open, water is running or a trail is closed today is the operator's call; the official link is the place to check.

Worth knowing

  • The Greathouse Visitor Center has mining-history displays inside a former sand mine. It is about a quarter-mile beyond the upper parking lot on a partly paved, partly gravel path with an incline; check its separate visiting hours before driving over.
  • Going farther underground requires the Coal Mine Experience. Participants must be at least seven years old. Use the park page to check program dates and reserve ahead; a visitor-center visit does not include a mine booking.
  • For the visitor center and mine programs, use the Somersville Road entrance in Antioch. The Clayton-side Black Diamond Way entrance is walk-in; check with the district about parking and a route to the visitor center before using that entrance.

Photo

Dry golden hills, a trail and wooded slopes at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve beneath a blue sky.
View near Rose Hill Cemetery, October 2022. Resized; cards may crop the view.Photo by Bcrawf123Photo sourceCC BY-SA 4.0

What we still want to learn from locals

  • How do Clayton residents actually get in from this side?

Make a day of it

Nearby stops, with straight-line distances. Check routes and hours before you go. Nothing is booked here.

  • Eat & Drink

    Coffee or breakfast · Distance depends on the entrance you use.

    La Veranda Cafe

    Family-owned Italian dining on Center Street, with reservations by phone.

    Monday to Friday, 11:30 am to 9:00 pm · Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am to 9:00 pm · Happy hour daily, 4:00 to 6:00 pm

    Add to my day
  • Eat & Drink

    Lunch or dinner · Distance depends on the entrance you use.

    Ed's Mudville Grill

    A sports grill on Center Street with a beer and wine bar and a kids menu.

    Open daily from 11 am

    Add to my day

Put a whole day together, one step at a time: Build your day

Sources and checks