Turn right on Norris Canyon Road. Norris Canyon is a pretty, winding road through farmland with practically no traffic. The road slopes up gradually (with occasional steep pitches) for about 1 km, then climbs fairly steeply for 2 km. This is the hardest hill you'll find on a beginner's route, and we'll probably take it very slowly.
After a total of 3 km, we reach the county line and the descent, which is fun and fast, with brand new pavement and little braking required. The descent lasts for about 4 km, then Norris Canyon crosses Bollinger Canyon Road and heads into a residential area. Soon after that, we hit San Ramon Valley Boulevard.
Turn left on San Ramon Valley Boulevard. Take San Ramon Valley Boulevard about 7 km to Diablo Road in Danville (it's not well-marked, but it's soon after entering downtown Danville).
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For easy route
Continue along San Ramon Valley Boulevard (becomes Danville Boulevard). This
road gradually declines all the way into Walnut Creek; enjoy it. Take it
about 10 more km into Walnut Creek. After you go under the freeway,
it's about 2 more km to Ygnatio Valley Road. Turn left; the
Walnut Creek BART station is on your right 2 blocks up. Total riding is
about 30 km.
For intermediate/advanced routes
Turn right on Diablo Road. They've recently repaved much of this road
and changed the signs; it used to go through some name
changes but now it's Diablo Road the whole way. After about 3 km
it comes to an intersection with El Cerro Road; Diablo Road turns right,
and so do we. After another 2 km, and some short, somewhat steep
climbs, we hit South Gate Road.
Turn left on South Gate Road. This is where the Mount Diablo climb really begins. Mount Diablo is a very straightforward hill; it holds no secrets and accepts no excuses. South Gate Road averages about a 5% grade for about 10 km. It's a really nice ride, especially if the weather is clear, but don't blow yourself out too early. The road surface below the entrance to the state park is horrible; the road in the state park has just been repaved. Most of this climb is gradual but there are some steep pitches. We'll probably stop fairly often; there are some nice south and east views if it's clear.
After about 7 km we hit the actual gate; there's a water fountain there if anyone needs it. After the gate there's about 1 km of relatively flat road with campsites and picnic areas off to the side; most have water fountains and restrooms. The road in this area is shaded and cooler. About 1 km later the climb resumes in earnest, again around 5% with steeper pitches. About 2km later we pass through to the other side of the mountain, around the 2000 foot marker; there, we get our first north view, and the climb becomes somewhat steeper. 1 km after that we hit the ranger station. The last few hundred meters before the ranger station are steeper than the rest of the climb so far; this is where you find out if you still have the legs to attack the summit.
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Turn right when North Gate Road ends, then make an immediate left on Walnut Avenue. Take Walnut Avenue about 7 km to Treat Boulevard. Turn left on Treat. After about 1 km the Pleasant Hill BART station will be on your right. Total riding is 60 km.
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Hang out at the top, have a drink and a snack while your pulse calms down a little. On a clear day you can see east to Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada, and north to Red Bluff from the summit.
After you cool down, descend Summit Road back to the ranger station; turn right on North Gate Road. Follow the intermediate route from there. Total riding is 80 km.