Accessible Path: Yes (paved, asphalt)
Mileage: 3 mile loop
As you head west from Fremont, CA toward the San Francisco Bay you will quickly notice a bit of a geological oddity: hills popping up out of the flat marshland. Although these hills do not reach any tremendous heights, they provide some of the greatest views in the Bay Area. Aside from the bay itself, you'll have the opportunity to lay your eyes upon the adjacent wetlands, two of the area's prominent mountain peaks, three bridges and the downtown skylines of both San Francisco and Oakland.
Coyote Hills Regional Park has a rich and varied history. Native Ohlone peoples lived off the land, enjoying the bounty of the wetlands for countless generations. A 2,000 year old shellmound & village site is located within the park and open houses and guided tours are available. More recently, the area was home to ranching and salt production operations, as well as a rock quarry and a Nike missile site. You can learn much more about the history of the park in the Visitors Center. Before you leave the Visitors Center, be sure to walk through the adjacent Nectar Garden, designed to attract native butterflies.
When you're ready to begin your journey, head to the Northwest end of the parking lot and look for the paved Bayview Trail. The trail hugs the marsh, offering views of the wetlands with Mission Peak towering above beyond. Enjoy the view for approximately a third of a mile until the paved pathway makes its way left between Lizard Rock and Nike Hill. The trail continues along the bottom of the hill for about another third of a mile. Soon you'll reach a trail junction with signs for the Alameda Creek Trail. If you're feeling up to it, this paved trail makes its way through the marshland along Alameda Creek for another 1.5 miles or so until you reach the shores of the Bay. If not, continue along the Bayview Trail, bending to the left.
As you round the corner the salt evaporation ponds will come into view. These patches of white are broken up by levees wandering through them with footpaths along the top. Beyond the salt ponds are huge views of the Bay, Oakland, San Francisco, the Bay Bridge and the San Mateo Bridge. Beyond all the sights that are close to the water, Mt. Tamalpais rises up behind San Francisco, keeping watch over the city and its bay. This is truly one of the most special views of the water in all of the Bay Area.
When you're able to break away from this spectacular view, keep going along the Bayview Trail and your gaze will be directed toward the Dumbarton Bridge and the South Bay. The trail continues along the bay for another 1.5 miles, undulating slightly along the bottom of the hill with great views of San Francisco Bay leading you southward. Be sure to glance toward the hillside along the way. A herd of sheep lives within the park, doing their part to keep the brush down.
In time, the trail will turn back Eastward, splitting two hills. Continue along the paved path as it keeps hugging the bottom of the hill. After a short while, the pathway with lead you past the small Quarry Parking area, across the entry road, and back along the marsh. Once again enjoy the views of the wetlands and listen for the birds chirping away within the reeds. The trail will lead you back over the entry road and back to the Visitors Center where your journey began.
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