San Francisco Bay Trail

In the rush to get to work, get the kids to school, make dinner, do chores and complete the myriad other tasks comprising daily life, we often forget to look at what is right under our noses.  One often overlooked gem is San Francisco Bay and the San Francisco Bay Trail.

For people who want a nice walk, run or bike ride, you cannot beat the San Francisco Bay Trail.  The trail makes its way around San Francisco Bay, broken in some areas, covering a distance of some 290 miles.  A very nice portion of this trail runs from Bayfront Park, near Bayshore Highway and Millbrae Avenue all the way down to Redwood Shores.  A good stretch for walking, running or biking can be found between Coyote Point Park and Seal Point Park (near the San Mateo dog park, off J. Hart Clinton Drive, a.k.a. the 'foot' of 3rd Avenue). 

Starting at Seal Point Park, the trail makes its way north right on the edge of San Francisco Bay.  The terrain is about as flat as can be and all you will need is a comfortable pair of walking shoes, running shoes, or your favorite bicycle.  Overall you will cover somewhere between 3 and 3 1/4 miles with nice vistas of the Bay to enhance the journey.   For those on bicycle wanting a longer outing, I would suggest starting at the north end of this section, near the Coyote Point Marina proper, and working your way south, past the San Mateo Bridge and down around Belmont Slough, into Redwood Shores.  Those on foot can appreciate any part of this trail, and I just picked the above slice based on nothing more than personal preference. 

With Coyote Point Park as a northern terminus, you might want to plan to spend some time exploring that park and all it offers.  The next installment will focus on Coyote Point Park and what to do once you arrive, including an unexpected, but traditional American pastime.