A pretty hike through varied terrain.

Location: Point Pinole Regional Shoreline

» Official Trail Map: Good map showing various trails. Also see Text Side of the map.

Route: From the parking lot, follow a trail parallel to the rail tracks, then cross a bridge and follow Cook's Point Trail all the way to the coastline. After exploring the coastline, return by Cook's Point Trail, turn right on Marsh Trail and walk all the way to the fishing pier. Return by Bay View Trail followed by a short section along Cook's Trail, cross the bridge and return to the parking lot. Bay View Trail provides several unnamed / unofficial trails to access the beach along the western shoreline of Point Pinole, which is worth a visit.

Notes:

1. It was quite windy in August 2011
2. Most inland trails were without shade.
3. Along the western boundary of Point Pinole, there is a beach that runs parallel to Bay View Trail, which runs over cliffs overlooking the beach. There are multiple access points and unnamed trails from Bay View Trail that lead up to the beach. To the south of the beach lies a marshland — note the two semi-circular projections along Bay Trail in the south - these are protected areas and inaccessible to hikers. The beach extends to about 0.3 miles west of the fishing pier.

Location: near 5551 Giant Hwy, Richmond, CA 94806 . Parking area is visible in Google Maps if you zoom in sufficiently.

Directions: From I-80 East, take exit 20 for Fitzgerald Drive toward Richmond Parkway, then turn left onto Fitzgerald Drive and continue onto Richmond Parkway for 1.3 miles. Turn right onto Atlas Road and drive 0.9 miles. Turn left onto Giant Highway and drive 0.5 miles. Turn right onto an unnamed road leading to the parking lot for Point Pinole.

Google Maps:

Parking Fees: Fees are collected when the Kiosk is attended on weekends and major holidays from April through October ($3 per car in August 2011). (last visited: August 2011)

Capacity: Over 50 cars.

Latitude: 37.992155     Longitude: -122.355713