ALAMEDA / BAY FARM: An urban hike along the SF Bay

ALAMEDA / BAY FARM:  An urban hike along the SF Bay

Hike Date:  Saturday, June 3, 2023

Leader:  Robert Hickey

Leader Email:  robert3327@gmail.com

Leader Phone:  (510) 813-3406

Hike Rating:  Level 3

Hike Mileage:  8-9 miles

Elevation Gain:  Basically flat (the hike is along the waterline).

Description:  I led this hike last in early Autumn 2021 (let's see what it's like in early Summer)...  Alameda Island is an interesting (and somewhat lesser-known Bay Area) town with a vibrant business district along Park Street filled with interesting stores and a wide variety of restaurants and bars (to be explored optionally on your own before or after the hike).  But we will begin our hike at the beach (Yes!  Who knew...a long and pleasant beach along the San Francisco Bay) and walk along the water and across an iron draw bridge towards Bay Farm which used to be (a long time ago) an asparagus farm (and an island itself) but is now populated with homes along a lushly landscaped man-made lagoon, a golf course and the Oakland International Airport.  On Bay Farm we will continue walking along the water with great views of San Francisco, the Bay Bridge and the Mid-peninsula (and flights leaving OAK).  Our lunch spot will be picnic tables next to the water.  And we will return by walking "in-land" through the winding lagoons filled with ducks and a variety of other birds, eventually making our way back to the Southern end of Alameda Island (where we started) and the beach.

Bring / Wear:  Bring water, good walking shoes, hat, sunscreen and lunch.  Roller blades optional (just kidding).

Did you know we have sfhiking.com t-shirts available?  Click on the [Store] menu above.

Rain Policy:  Hike may be cancelled or postponed due to rain.

Dogs:  Woof! Dogs are allowed (mostly on a leash...this is an urban environment).

Are you up for the hike?  If so, here are the meeting options...

• SF Meeting Location:  Whole Foods @ 2001 Market Street.  Meet on the Dolores Street side.  (There's parking on the street or below the building).

SF Meeting Time:  9:30 AM (departure shortly thereafter).

• East Bay Meeting Location:  Rockridge BART station.  Meet at the bottom of the escalators.  (There's free and ample parking).

East Bay Meeting Time:  9:40 AM (departure shortly thereafter).

NOTE:  Please only show up at Whole Foods or the Rockridge BART station if you have a ride arranged ahead of time (see Carpool Fees below).

• Trailhead Meeting Location:  We'll meet on the beach...across from the US Post Office (next to the South Shore Center Shopping Mall).  To be specific, we'll meet on the beach at the corner of Shore Line Drive and South Shore Center.

Trailhead Meeting Time:  10:00 AM (hike begins at 10:15 AM).

Map to Trailhead Meeting Location.

NOTE:  There is no parking lot but there is parking on the street.  And, if you want to purchase something (like lunch) there is also parking at the nearby South Shore Center Shopping Mall. 

Total Driving Distance (round trip):  36 miles (SF), 21 miles (Rockridge BART).

Carpool Fees (per passenger):  $6* (SF), $3 (Rockridge BART).

*Includes bridge toll.

NOTE:  I'll reach out to those registered who have indicated that they need/want a ride or can take passengers.  If you need to contact me for whatever reason, please do so before Friday @ 3:00 PM the day before the hike.