[GP:ed_levin] Though I’ve lived in the South Bay for almost 15 years, I had never before visited Ed R. Levin
County Park. This county park is very accessible to folks in the South Bay (take Calaveras exit off I680 and follow the signs), and offers a variety of activities including hiking, picnicking, fishing, a dog park, hang gliding area, etc. It’s a great park for families with children as well as people who want a great hike with great views of the bay.
The two ponds in the park, Sandy Wool Lake and Spring Valley Pond, are host to a variety of waterfowl. The accompanying pictures of a Great Blue Heron and a pair of Mallard ducks were taken on Spring Valley Pond. This is also a popular park for equestrians. On my first visit I took an easy hike
starting near Spring Valley Pond hiking the Spring Valley Trail and looping back to the parking lot via the Nature Trail. On my second visit a week later I went on a bit more challenging hike. I parked by Sandy Wool Lake near the dog park headed out on the Tularcitos trail, and from there to the the Caliente trail, and the Agua trails. This hike offers great views of the Lake, ranch lands near the park, and the South San Francisco Bay. If you are more fit than I you can continue on the Agua trail to the Monument Peak trail and from there up to Monument Peak.
At the junction of the Tularcitos and Caliente trails I encountered a couple mules grazing near the fence. They didn’t pay much attention to me as they were too busy munching away. As I made my way up the
Caliente trail and onto the Agua trail I was treated to the great views of the park, the Minnis Ranch land and the bay. Several hawks flew over head. I made it up to about the gate at 1200ft (600 ft elevation gain from the parking lot), before I decided to turn back, planning to take on Mission Peak another day. As I got to the gate at the junction of the 
Caliente and Tularcitos trails an equestrian wearing a black cowboy hat asked me to hold the gate open for him. I took his picture as he continued down the trail.
For more information about Ed R. Levin county park: