ALAMEDA to BAY FARM LOOP
Hike Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Leader: Robert H!ckey
Leader Email: robert3327@gmail.com
Leader Phone: 510.813.3406
Hike Rating: Level-3
Hike Mileage: 8.6 miles... (see Shorter Hike Option below)
Elevation Gain: 0' (the hike is along the waterline).
Description: 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 at 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 hiking or walking shoes, hat, sunscreen and lunch.
Did you know we have sfhiking.com t-shirts available? Click on the [Store] menu above.
Rain Policy: Hike may be cancelled if heavy rain.
Dogs: Woof, yes! 
TRAILHEAD MEETING LOCATION:
We'll meet on the beach (map)... across from the US Post Office which is 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 (don't miss the hike, arrive early).
If you are not a member you can: 1) Become a member by clicking on the [Join] menu above and then register for the hike or 2) Contact me so that I know that you would like to be part of the hike.
Interested in carpooling? If so, here are the options...
- San Francisco Meeting Location: Whole Foods (map) @ 2001 Market Street. Meet on the Dolores Street side. There's parking on the street or below the building.
Meeting Time: 9:30 AM (don't miss your ride, arrive early).
- East Bay Meeting Location: Rockridge BART station (map). Meet at the bottom of the escalators. There's free and ample parking.
Meeting Time: 9:40 AM (don't miss your ride, arrive early).
- East Bay (alternate) Meeting Location: West Oakland BART station (map). Meet at the bottom of the escalators. There's free and ample parking. Note: This is an alternative East Bay pick up to be decided by a driver.
Meeting Time: 9:45 AM (don't miss your ride, arrive early).
While there are no guarantees, to better facilitate carpool arrangements for yourself and others, please register and indicate your desire for a ride (or offer to drive) by Thursday, 3:00 PM. If you have not been contacted by Noon the next day, please reach out to the hikeleader.
Riders wishing to pay with Venmo, PayPal or something other than cash, please contact the hikeleader prior to arriving at the trailhead to see if this is an option (see Carpool Fees below). Do not show up at a meeting location if you have not been confirmed a rider (or driver) ahead of time.
Total Driving Distance (round trip):
34 miles (San Francisco)*
23 miles (East Bay)
Carpool Fees (per passenger):
$7 (San Francisco)*
$3 (East Bay)
*Includes bridge toll.
Shorter Hike Option (Level-2 / 5.4 miles): Meet us at the Veterans Pier (map) on Bay Farm. We should arrive around 10:30 AM... but please arrive 10-15 minutes early so you don't miss us. If you choose to meet us there, you'll have to arrange your own carpool, but I hope this opens up options for those who want/need a shorter hike. Also, let me know you'll meet us at the pier, so we can keep an eye out for you.
Level-1
|
Level-2
|
Level-3 |
Level-4 |
Level-5 |
|
easiest
< 5 miles
< 500' gain
|
moderately easy
5-7 miles
< 1000' gain |
moderate
7-9 miles
< 1500' gain
|
strenuous
9-12 miles
< 2000' gain
|
very strenuous
12-15+ miles
>2000' gain |
