DOG WALK: BERKELEY MARINA to ALBANY BULB (and BACK)

DOG WALK: BERKELEY MARINA to ALBANY BULB (and BACK)

Hike Date:  Saturday, September 9, 2023

Leader:  Leonard Gabriele

Leader Email:  leonardgabriele@sbcglobal.net

Leader Phone:  415.309.0337

Hike Rating:  Level 4

Hike Mileage:  10 miles

Elevation Gain:  220'

Description:  We’ll meet at the Roaming Bean Coffee stand near the end of Spinnaker Way and walk along the shoreline to the off-leash area in Cesar Chavez Park, continuing north along the bay shore past Golden Gate Fields, Albany Beach, and the Albany Bulb with its many unofficial art installations where we will be stopping for lunch along the water. Our return route will take us through University Village and West Berkeley’s evolving residential, industrial, and retail neighborhood. We’ll cross Interstate 80 on the pedestrian/bicycle bridge, walk past the marina and back to our starting point. This is not a walk through pristine nature, though there are beautiful views of the Bay. Cesar Chavez Park and the Albany Bulb are both repurposed municipal dumps. The bay shoreline and much of West Berkeley are landfill. What I find interesting are how nature has reclaimed this artificial landscape and our changing attitudes toward it.

Dogs:  Woof, yes!  

Bring / Wear:  Your dog if you have one, dog waste bags, a leash, water for yourself and your dog, lunch, sunscreen, a hat, hiking boots, and layered clothing.

Rain Policy:  Contact hike leader if weather is questionable.

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

• SF Meeting Location:  Whole Foods (map) @ 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 (map).  Meet at the bottom of the escalators.  There's free and ample parking.

East Bay Meeting Time:  9:30 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:  Roaming Bean Coffee stand near the turn around at the end of Spinnaker Drive.

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

Trailhead Meeting Location (map).

Total Driving Distance (round trip):  13 miles (SF), 8 miles (Rockridge BART).

Carpool Fees (per passenger):  $5* (SF) or $2 (Rockridge BART).

*Includes bridge toll.