The Alameda Creek Regional Trail brings the scale of the landscape into view: stretching about 12 miles, it runs west from the entrance to Niles Canyon to San Francisco Bay, through the southern part of Alameda County. The trail’s south side is recommended for cyclists, hikers, joggers, and runners; access is available from several roads in Fremont, Union City, and Newark. The creek was also a valuable resource for the Ohlone, who once lived in camps and villages along its banks. Here, landscape and history meet at the same waterway.
Trails Between Scenic Views and History
Hikes in Coyote Hills Regional Park offer views across San Francisco Bay and the surrounding areas of southern Alameda County. The Bayview Trail makes for a clearly defined outing: it is 3.5 miles long, paved, and intended for hiking and cycling. Exhibits at the visitor center show how the Ohlone lived; they include a reed boat made using methods of Indigenous peoples. Here, a trail through the landscape and a tangible cultural discovery come together.
Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve features sandstone outcrops with fossils deposited on an ancient seabed. Alameda Creek Overlook is a scenic canyon on Alameda Creek, about two miles upstream from the visitor center. Naturalists lead walks and hikes there; birdwatching, family activities, and nature-related arts and crafts are also offered. The program may vary by calendar, so check current dates before planning your visit.
The Ohlone Trail runs for 28 miles through mountains and canyons in southern Alameda County. This makes it a different length from the approximately 12-mile Alameda Creek Regional Trail. In Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park, coast redwoods grow to heights of 150 feet (about 46 meters). Nearly 40 miles of trails are designated for hiking, jogging, and horseback riding.
Lakes, Marshland, and Extensive Trail Networks
The 315-acre Lake Chabot is open year-round for fishing and boating; permits and water conditions may apply. More than 20 miles of hiking trails run around the lake and connect to another 70 miles of trails in adjoining Anthony Chabot Regional Park. This is a different scale from the single loop trail at Coyote Hills. At Del Valle Regional Park, activities center on a five-mile-long lake: swimming, windsurfing, and boating. The park’s 4,395 acres of land also offer room for hiking, horseback riding, and nature observation. Water conditions may change; check them before planning activities on the lake.
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge offers more than 30 miles of trails for walking, hiking, and birdwatching. Nature lovers can focus on trails and birdwatching here, while the longer routes in Redwood Regional Park also include jogging and horseback riding. The activities designated at each place differ, even though hiking is possible at several locations.
Cultural Stops by the Water
The Mission San José visitor center has a museum with exhibits about Ohlone life and mission life. A film about the park, along with ranger-led and self-guided walks, is also available to visitors. Check current visitor information before your trip if you plan to enjoy these offerings.
Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach includes 2.5 miles of beach, bordered by lawns and picnic areas, as well as a bike path. Crab Cove at the beach is a marine reserve. The self-guided Memory Lane Trail at Crab Cove covers Indigenous history, the Victorian era, and military history. Swimming is permitted at the beach year-round; lifeguards are not on duty. Check water conditions and lifeguard status before swimming.
Discover More Destinations
Alameda, Berkeley, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Oakland, Pleasanton, San Leandro, Union City, Newark, Emeryville, Dublin, Piedmont, Castro Valley, Sunol
For the broader travel overview: California.
