Hawk Hill

If you're leaving from SF, head over the bridge and exit onto Alexander Ave. Make the immediate left under the overpass and you'll be on the road to Hawk Hill. There's a parking area just below the gate leading up to Hawk Hill. From the parking lot you can walk west about ten yards along the outside of the guard rail to take a well-worn use trail out to a spur overlooking Point Diablo. The views here are fantastic and have no crowds.

If you get there before sunrise, you have about a 1-mile hike up to the top of Hawk Hill. If you luck out and the rangers have already opened the gate, you can drive almost to the top. From the upper parking lot, there's a fire road that's less than a quarter mile up to an old bunker. This is the best place to take in the sunrise. Get your tripod, GoPro, or phone all set up, then sit back and relax. We highly recommend bringing a thermos with your favorite coffee; it's not always the warmest up there.

It's also good to bring a windbreaker or a warm blanket, the area is very exposed. As you're driving out on the way back down, there's also a good lookout on Conzelman Rd. You'll see a parking lot to pull out to and most likely a few other photographers. This is a great spot to catch the sun passing through the arches of the bridge.