Bay Trail Walkabout
The latest installment in our San Francisco Bay Trail series comes from Saratoga resident Sankaran Suresh, who just completed a 7-day, 150-mile walkabout on the waterfront trail.
“It’s really tough to choose one spot from this experience,” Suresh says, but these seven hikes were among the highlights of his trek. You’ll find more, including notes on dog-friendly segments and interesting sights (and where to find Philz Coffee) on his blog, walkaboutsfbay.blogspot.com.
Coyote Hills Regional Park, East Bay: “With gentle rolling hills on one side and the expansive waters of the bay on the other, this is a beautiful segment to hike,” he says. This regional park runs along the waterfront near Fremont and Newark. Much of the trail is dog-friendly — although not the No Name Trail — and you can stop for lunch at Kabila Cuisine, an Indian restaurant in Union City.
Hayward Regional Shoreline: “Dirt trails right by the bay, with gentle waves and views of Oakland and San Francisco’s skyline, this segment provided a one-of-a-kind rustic experience.”
San Francisco: “The 7-mile segment from Fort Point to AT&T Park is an ultra-urban, lively experience that is so uniquely San Francisco,” he says. Among those urban experiences: Philz Coffee; a hot sauce emporium, the Pepper Palace; the Exploratorium and, of course, the ballpark.
Alviso Slough: “The 9-mile dirt trail loop on levees is set amidst the waters of the bay and an amazing array of birds. Perfect to reflect — and a fine spot for me to end the hike.”
More: “In the mood for a more urban setting with well-paved trails and views of the bridges, airplane takeoffs and landings, and people enjoying water sports? The segments in Oyster Point (South San Francisco), Coyote Point Recreation Area (San Mateo) and Seal Point Park (San Mateo) on the Peninsula will satisfy those requirements and then some.”
The Bay Trail
Join us as we hike the 340-mile San Francisco Bay Trail. Find trail maps at www.baytrail.org and trail tips at www.mercurynews.com/eat-drink-play. Share your trail adventures with us, too. Send a selfie from your favorite segment of the trail, along with a description, to jburrell@bayarea
newsgroup.com.