The Bay Trail

Coyote Point County Recreation Area

"Not only the days, but life itself lengthens in summer. I would spread abroad my arms and gather more of it to me, could I do so."

Richard Jefferies (1848-87)

Directions: Coyote Point is easily accessible from Highway 101. From the north: Take Poplar Avenue exit. Turn right on Humboldt Street to Peninsula Avenue. Turn right on Peninsula. Go over the freeway, then circle into the park. From the south: Take the Dore Avenue exit. Immediately turn left onto North Bayshore Boulevard, then right into the park.

Grade: Easy.

Distance: Two to three miles.

Time: Your choice.

Special Conditions:

There are two huge trail projects underway in the Bay Area. The Bay Area Ridge Trail is a 450-mile trail that will connect public lands, watersheds, and easements through private property in a continuous loop circling San Francisco Bay. True to its name, the Ridge Trail moves along ridge tops such as the Skyline Ridge along the Peninsula. Trail development started in 1987, and to date about 220 miles have been dedicated. Many of the trails described in the Weekly Walker series are part of the Ridge Trail, including trails through the upper reaches of Long Ridge, Skyline Ridge, Russian Ridge, Wunderlich, Huddart, and Purisima open space preserves and parks. The best guide for the Ridge Trail is "The Bay Area Ridge Trail," by Jean Rusmore, published b y Wilderness Press.

A second trail will also circle San Francisco Bay, but at bay level. This project is brown as the Bay Trail. It too will extend for about 400 miles and when completed will accommodate your walk around the entire bay without getting into a car. The Bay Trail will pass through nine counties, 42 cities, 13 military bases (active or former), and a variety of wildlife refuges. The Bay Trail Plan was approved in 1989, and about half of the continuous trail has been dedicated. On the Peninsula, the trail is in use from the foot of Millbrae Avenue south to Redwood Shores. Bayfront Park in Menlo Park is part of the route as is the pedestrian crossing over the Dumbarton Bridge.

An excellent guide is available entitled "San Francisco Bay Shoreline Guide" prepared by the California State Coastal Conservancy and published by University of California Press. The guide includes detailed maps, pictures, and special features on history and plant/animal life along the bay.

This week's walk covers a two-mile stretch through the Coyote Point County Recreation Area. Coyote Point is part of the San Mateo County Parks System and includes 670 acres for recreation use--hiking trails, picnic areas, a marina, and a nationally recognized museum. According to the aforementioned guide, a Russian captain, Otto von Kotzebue, sailed into these bay waters in 1824 to resupply at Mission Santa Clara. He stopped at a "pleasant little island" of grassland and oak trees. His notion that he and his men were the first human beings to touch this island was proved false when large shell mounds were later discovered. Later in the 19th century, this island was known as "The Coyote," separated from the mainland by Samphire Marsh. The marsh was later filled, and the island was joined to the shore.

A couple of hours at Coyote Point will introduce you to a popular windsurfing beach, a sandy wading beach, and great views of airplanes landing at SFO. On the eastern side is the Coyote Point Marina and Yacht Club with a newly paved path along the levee. At this point you will get your best view of inbound airplanes. South from the marina is an asphalt trail on top of a large levee that passes under many high-powered electric lines for about one mile to Ryder Park. Along the way are unobstructed views of the East Bay and South Bay, with many shorebirds at low tide.

Coyote Point is one of two locations selected for the American Heart Walk 2000. On Sunday, Sept. 24, 2000, thousands of community and health-minded people will gather at Coyote Point from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for a four-mile walk to promote a healthy lifestyle and support the American Heart Association's lifesaving research and education programs. For more information on this worthy event, e-mail me at trekertom@aol.com or call 650-592-4736.

If you are interested in a long hike, start at the foot of Millbrae Avenue and follow the Bay Trail through Coyote Point, Foster City, and Redwood Shores for a distance of about 20 miles. From our home in San Carlos, we took Caltrain to Millbrae and walked back.

Written by Tom Davids

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