Destination: Mission Peak, Fremont
Summit Mission Peak, visit the Sunol Water Temple, and explore Downtown Niles
This is part of a series of family-oriented day trip outings around the San Francisco Bay Area I look forward to enjoying with my kids once social distancing and shelter in place isn’t the norm any longer.
Mission Peak: IV by Basheer Tome
Social Isolation — Day 39
It was a nice day. I got some ground coffee from Philz pickup window, got out for a little walk, spent some time writing outside in the sun, made Marion’s Hoisin Beef Noodles, which was delicious, and got to visit with my youngest a little on Facetime. I really can’t complain. I hope your day was good too.
Destination: Mission Peak
Summit Mission Peak
Visit The Sunol Water Temple
Explore Downtown Niles
Bonus: Niles Canyon Railway, Aqua Adventure Water Park, and Quarry Lakes
Summit Mission Peak
By Oleg Alexandrov — Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27982208
I’ve had this on my to-hike list for quite a while. From what I’ve read, it’s a strenuous hike, roughly 3 miles each way, with a summit over 2500 feet above sea level (elevation gain for the hike is around 2100 feet). I’ve also read that you should bring 2 liters of water per person (or animal) for the hike. Set aside approximately 5 hours to complete the loop.
From the top, you can expect some spectacular 360º views, although it might be windy. Bring sunscreen as there is a lack of shade, and take your time on the way up.
Visit The Sunol Water Temple
Having visited the Pulgas Water Temple many times, I’ve been curious to visit this one. Where the Pulgas Water Temple marked the end of the aqueduct from Hetch Hetchy flowing into the Crystal Springs reservoir, the Sunol Water Temple marked the confluence of three water sources flowing into the Sunol Valley. The converging waters of Alameda Creek, Arroyo de la Laguna, and the Pleasanton Wells poured down into a tile basin at the temple bottom. Though the waters were once used for San Francisco’s water supply, the Hetch Hetchy system replaced it about 20 years after it opened.
Architect Willis Polk and modeled after the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli, Italy.
Explore Downtown Niles
By Californiathegreat — Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51133890
Established in the 1850s, Niles was the junction point for the transcontinental railroad with other local rail lines headed for San Jose or Sacramento. From 1912 to 1916 The Essanay Film Manufacturing Company had a silent film studio here, famous actors such as Charlie Chaplin came to film movies.
Now historic Niles offers a Historic Main Street that is the pride of the community. You can find the Niles Film Museum (which hosts an annual silent film festival), antique shops, an annual antique fair (in August), pie, tea, and coffee shops. It’s a lovely spot to spend an afternoon.
Bonus: Niles Canyon Railway, Aqua Adventure Water Park, and Quarry Lakes
The Niles Canyon Railroad is a delightful ride, albeit a bit pricy. This is a great outing on a sunny afternoon. My kids have been to the aquatic park, they had a good day out. And Quarry Lake is a wonderful spot for a picnic or a barbeque.
Cody Tolmasoff is an author and publisher for Adventuring.in. He is a recovering programmer and a San Francisco native, raising two daughters, and regularly finding new adventures around the SF Bay Area. This article is an excerpt from an upcoming book, 52 San Francisco Bay Area Weekend Adventures, Day Trips With Your Kids!
Find him on Twitter @codyo, and read his most recent title Adventures in Getting Out on Amazon, filled with advice on successfully getting your family out for day trip adventures.
Originally published on Medium on 21 April 2020