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TRANSACTIONS NEWSLETTER ONLINE

March 2003
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Getting There:
10 Bay Trail Segments You Can Walk or Bike This Spring
While it may be another decade before anyone can circle the entire San Francisco Bay on foot or by bicycle, opportunities abound now to head down to the waterfront and take in the beauty of the region’s shimmering estuary and the graceful hills surrounding it.

(Mileage figures are for round trips except #1.)

1. San Francisco to Marin County Loop
CrabThe 20-mile route follows city streets to Fort Mason, then continues along the Crissy Field promenade and across the Golden Gate Bridge, through Sausalito and Mill Valley to Tiburon, where you can catch a ferry and relax on a 30-minute ride back to San Francisco. Or take a shorter, 8.5-mile route to Sausalito and return on the ferry.

2. Hotel Row/Peninsula
SalmonThis easy 1-mile route along the shoreline fronting hotels in Millbrae and Burlingame offers pedestrians, bicyclists and rollerbladers views of San Francisco International Airport and its runways.

3. Palo Alto Baylands to Mountain View Shoreline Park
CurlewAlong this 14-mile route, hikers and bicyclists can enjoy shorebird viewing at the Lucy Evans Interpretive Center in the Palo Alto Baylands and public art sculptures at Byxbee Park. Stop off at the historic Rengstorff House and the Stevens Creek Shoreline Nature Study Area in Mountain View Shoreline Park.Flower

4. Sunnyvale Baylands Park
This 7-mile trip follows a gravel levee trail around the Open Water Bird Preserve and through Sunnyvale Baylands Park. Continue on the levee loop spur trail for an additional 4.5-mile trek.

5. Oyster Bay to Hayward Regional Shoreline
Hike or bike along levee trails through a mosaic of landscapes including mud flats, salt marshes and grasslands. The 17-mile route traverses the 1,800-acre Hayward Regional Shoreline, rich in history, views and wildlife, as well as the San Leandro Marina.

6. Arrowhead Marsh/Oakland Starfish
Nestled in San Leandro Bay, Arrowhead Marsh is a hidden jewel — an important stopover along the Pacific Flyway that provides critical habitat for shorebirds and an oasis for trail enthusiasts. The 3.5-mile path follows the shoreline along the 50 acres of re-stored wetlands.

7. Bay Farm Island Loop/Alameda
PelicanWalkers, skaters, runners and bicyclists love this loop for its smooth paved path, convenient location, and picture-perfect views of natural and urban wonders. The trail loops around the perimeter of the island, passing by a ferry terminal, Bay wetlands, a golf course and a model airplane park. To extend the 6-mile route, cross the bicycle drawbridge and follow the trail through the Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary to Robert Crown Memorial Beach. Poppies

8. Albany Bulb to Marina Bay/Richmond
Enjoy spectacular views of the San Francisco skyline as well as great people- and bird-watching along this popular 11-mile recreational stretch. Visit the Rosie the Riveter Memorial sculpture in Marina Bay Park, or detour to the Albany Bulb to view constantly changing murals and found-object sculptures.

Monarch9. Point Pinole Regional Shoreline
The Point Pinole Peninsula juts dramatically out into San Pablo Bay. This 4-mile route leads you through deep eucalyptus groves (a stopover for migrating mon- arch butterflies), then opens onto wide grasslands. The trail follows bayside cliffs to the fishing pier, with sweeping views of Mount Tamalpais and San Pablo Bay.Blue Egret

10. Tolay Creek Trail/Sonoma County
This 9-mile segment follows Tolay Creek in the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge from State Route 37 to Lower Tubbs Island and Midshipman Point. Follow the levee trail along tidal marshes for exceptional shorebird and waterfowl viewing.

For route details, see the just-updated Bay Trail guides.

Nature illustrations: Ryan Jones (1, 2, 4, 6, 10) and Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy (3, 5, 7, 8, 9). Map by Laura Thompson

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