Mission Peak is a popular hiking spot overlooking the city of Fremont in the east San Francisco Bay.

Bay Area hills are deep green in winter and early spring, but quickly turn golden brown as the hot, dry summer approaches. You can see the difference by comparing the last two photos, taken from nearly the same spot, but at different times of year.

Looking northeast ... (61 kb)

early spring (48 kb)

late summer (77 kb)

March 11th, 2006 (167 kb)

For everything you could possibly want to know about Mission Peak, check out Hikes up Mission Peak.