Bay Waterfront Trail

Introduction:


What?

A large trail system that connect many parks along the bay waterfront.


Most of the trails are or paved or gravel dirt roads and all are in a very good and well-maintained conditions.


This is an ideal place for long walk on flat terrain, bike rides, or runs.

You will enjoy the easy walking, waterfront views, large pools and the in many places bird viewing.

Excellent place to spend the afternoon during the hot summer days.
In winter the trails are exposed to the wind and the rain so take this into your considerations when planning the visit.


Link to San Francisco Bay Trail web site:

Link to interactive map:





Where? :

I will try to describe below in details the different trail sections and where to enter them.



The relevant map link:

When? :
All trails are exposed to the sun with almost no shade, recommended time is at the afternoon.



Due note: All trails are flat and recommended for walking, running or long bike rides.

Because the trail system is right on the bay waterfront you will have many birds viewing opportunities.


Due Note: Many trails are pet (dog) friendly, check for your specific trail for limitations.





Near by park blogs:




The visit:


For simplicity I will describe the trails in two sections:


The first one:

All the trail system that are East of NASA Moffett Fair airfield (in the direction to San Jose)



The second section:

All the trail system West of NASA (in the direction to Palo Alto)






My Thoughts:
As you can see below there are endless miles of trail options, my favorite one are Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve trailhead, but I visit many times other sections. You have many other options to enter the trail system, and most of them are connected into a large trail system.



Trails East of NASA:


Stevens Creek Shoreline Nature Study Area Preserve

Nice waterfront trail for hike running or biking, going at the edge of NASA Moffett Fair field.

The wide paved Rd. trail going between the airfield fence and the water ponds. You can always see here many water birds.

https://goo.gl/maps/xpWcgSUwrCQpXVvp6

 


Bay Trail Sunnyvale

Starting at Sunnyvale water reclamation facility ponds, connecting section at the Bay trail

Old landfill hill with nice view.

https://goo.gl/maps/k7uJMFuQn1W95UpS7


 

San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail

Many different trails going into many directions for long distance, connected to the Bay trail

https://goo.gl/maps/Q4CD9va9FeAPtwtr7

 

Trail that lead you to San Jose:

Lower Guadalupe River Trail

Trail that following both sides of the Guadalupe River all the way to San Jose airport and downtown

https://goo.gl/maps/792QdT34do1e3ZNG8

 

Ulistac Natural Area

https://goo.gl/maps/N3ycBKWirFNBzvUP8

 

Mineta San Jose International Airport

 

Heritage Rose Garden

https://goo.gl/maps/yWsrnbk5AGGzWDrCA

 

Rotary PlayGarden

https://goo.gl/maps/vRBof25fUf4Y89ap8

 

Trail that continue to Milpitas:

Alviso Marina County Park

https://goo.gl/maps/jtpNgWfwpDhZAY2u5


Alviso Slough 9 miles loop Trail

https://goo.gl/maps/11Ez2uvqFdowKaki7



 

Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Environmental Education Center

Nice bird watching place

https://goo.gl/maps/mCTJxcwksVpxe2F6A



 

Coyote Creek Trail, Milpitas

Trail along the water creek, not so much to see but something that go north and not take the road

https://goo.gl/maps/6oW7VJRwF1gyCYMR6

 

When Biking you can ride back to the west bay to Santa Clara & Sunnyvale :

San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail

Nice trail along the creek, going near Levies stadium and under 101 all the way to Homestead road

https://goo.gl/maps/Q4CD9va9FeAPtwtr7

Levi's Stadium

Nvidia

San Tomas Exp. way all the way up to Homestead Rd.




 

Trails West of NASA (Mountain View & Palo Alto):


Shoreline Lake Boathouse

Nice place with parking, can go to the lake or to the Bay Trail.

A lot of Bird Watching places.

Can be very crowded at weekends, nice coffee place near the lake.

https://goo.gl/maps/ky8ksDLBVcTEokSG8

 


Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve trailhead

Another entrance to the shoreline lake from the north.

With Adobe Creek loop trail, you can go between the ponds (Pelican Nesting View) and all the way to Byxbee Park.

There is an option to get to this location from Palo Alto (near the JCC) with a trail that pass under the 101.

Again this is also a crowded place but good one for running, biking and excellent place for bird watching.

https://goo.gl/maps/3KkuSRJdq6hd7U7w6



 


Byxbee Park

Old landfill site with many trails for cycling & walking, you can find there sculptor of conceptual art.

https://goo.gl/maps/GWs4eSGj5pUTwRjK7

 



Palo Alto Duck Pond

Environmental Volunteers EcoCenter

Another interesting place for walking, biking or Birdwatching

Interesting history as being Palo Alto boat harbor

https://goo.gl/maps/uVLoMQ7B1SSrmj3J6

 


Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center

Entrance for the San Francisquito Creek trail that can go all the way around the small airport and the golf field to east Palo Alto.

https://goo.gl/maps/3tK5HXVoTpCv6DxeA

  

Additional Pictures:

































































































































Comments