Time travel in montclair: Explore an extinct volcano, sip an old-fashioned malt - day trip - Brief Article

Sunset, Jan, 2002 by Courtney Bennett

The East Bay may seem an unlikely place to find ancient volcanic remains. But believe it or not, one of the highest peaks in the Berkeley-Oakland Hills, Round Top, was formed from the remnants of a 10-million-year-old volcano, the largest of four that existed in the region. Now part of the Robert Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, it's a perfect place for an unsurpassed view of a volcano's inner workings.

Erosion and movements along the Hayward and Moraga Faults worked together to tilt Round Top on its side, exposing different levels down to its core. Numbered posts mark some of the more interesting sights, including lava flows; a brochure from the visitor center at the park entrance will lead you to them. Among the unofficial attractions are the mazes built by park visitors in the bottoms of old quarries on the grounds.

To cap off a busy morning of exploring, head to the nearby town of Montclair, a picturesque Oakland Hills community. Among the many shops and restaurants, two charming eateries in the heart of what locals call "the Village" stand out. The Montclair Egg Shop offers hearty, healthy brunch and lunch options at reasonable prices. But the real reason to come here is to watch a model train pace back and forth overhead behind an open grill, while a tiny mechanical trapeze artist swoops across a wire above the front waiting area.

Or forget lunch and opt for a malt, cone, or sundae. The Montclair Malt Shop is hard to miss: It's marked by a distinctive "Meet Me at the Malt Shop" sign. The shop's prime corner location and glass windows make for great people-watching. If you glance up at the now peaceful Oakland Hills rising over the Village, it may strike you as amazing that such a pleasant little community has a volcano in its backyard.

RELATED ARTICLE: Travel planner

WHERE: To reach Robert Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, from State 4 exit at Fish Ranch Rd. At the stop sign at the top of the hill, turn left on Grizzly Peak Blvd, and left on Skyline Blvd. The preserve entrance is on the left. To reach downtown Montclair from the park, turn left on Skyline, right on Snake Rd., and right on Moraga Ave.

CONTACT: East Bay Regional Park District: (510) 562-7275 or www.ebparks.org. Montclair Egg Shop: 6126 Medau Place; (510) 339-9554. Montclair Malt Shop: Mountain Blvd. and Antioch Court; (510) 339-1886.