CARQUINEZ STRAIT REGIONAL SHORELINE (Martinez to Port Costa)

CARQUINEZ STRAIT REGIONAL SHORELINE (Martinez to Port Costa)

Hike Date:  Saturday, April 26, 2025

Leader:  Robert Hickey

Leader's Email:  robert3327@gmail.com

Leader's Phone:  510.813.3406 

Hike Rating:  Level-4

Hike Mileage:  10.4 miles

Elevation Gain:  1,122+ feet

Description:  I last led this hike back in April 2022...  An old winding county road snaking along the Carquinez Strait bluffs was popular for decades with motorists.  Then brutal storms and landslides (1983) tore open huge gaps in the road.  Abandoned for decades, the road began a new life (2014) as a segment of the San Francisco Bay Trail.  The sleek and smooth asphalt trail for hikers, joggers and cyclists provides choice views of the Carquinez Strait, which connects San Francisco Bay and the vast Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.  “The views here are just stunning.”  “There aren’t many trails near the bay shoreline that are up higher like this where you can see for a long ways.”  “It’s like our own shorter version of the 17-Mile Drive near Carmel, you keep getting fresh new views of the water with each new twist and turn.”  Our lunch spot will be at the tiny, hidden town of Port Costa (a visual treat itself) that looks as if it has been lost in time. More info at Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline (link).

Bring / Wear:  Bring water, good hike boots, hat, sunscreen and lunch.

Rain Policy:  Canceled in the event of rain.

Dogs:  Woof, yes!  

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:  9:15 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.

East Bay Meeting Time:  9:30 AM (don't miss your ride, arrive early).

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 will meet at the Negedly Staging Area* (map).

Trailhead Meeting Time:  10:00 AM (don't miss the hike, arrive early).

*Note:  For some reason, Google Maps has you driving past the staging area and making a U-turn back to where you want to be (resulting in driving an extra 1.7 miles than necessary).  An alternative is to type in "Alhambra Pioneer Cemetery" (map) which is nearby and across the street...  Once you drive past the cemetery, turn left immediately into the Nejedly Staging Area.

Total Driving Distance (round trip):  74 miles (SF), 48 miles (Rockridge BART).

Carpool Fees (per passenger):  $10* (SF) or $7 (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.