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San Francisco, CA: Bayfront Park Loop

ca

Star Star Star Star Star

Distance: 2.8 miles


Escape to the lush green hills and pristine saltwater marshes of Bayfront Park on this 2.8-mile loop just minutes from the Bay Area suburbs.
  • In Flight
  • WideTrail
  • Salt Marsh
  • Hills of Bayfront Park
  • Northern Shoveler
  • Sunburst over the Marshland
  • Interior Trail
  • Westpoint Slough
  • Wetlands
  • Open Lands
  • Hills and Trails
  • Shovelers
  • Main Intersection
  • Sanderling
  • Reflections
  • Burrowing Owl Home

Starting from the parking lot on Marsh Road, head east on a wide, unnamed, gravel path. In the saltwater tidal pond to the south, look for the numerous species of water fowl--such as egrets, canvasbacks, grebes, avocets and shovelers--that call the park home. With the Bay Area serving as an important stopover on the migratory Pacific Flyway, the park flaunts nearly 180 species of birds, making it a birdwatcher's paradise.

Continuing on, follow the trail west as it meanders between salt ponds to the south and low-lying hills to the north. Keeping your eyes open for owl burrows on the side of the trail, turn left to head north at mile 0.6 before reaching a four-way intersection at mile 1. From here, catch tranquil panoramas of the adjacent Don Edwards S.F. Bay National Wildlife Reserve, home to the largest tidal wetland restoration project on the West Coast.

From the junction, turn left to head toward the hilly heartland of the park. Then climb several mild switchbacks en-route to an elevated vantage point offering vistas of the Sausalito Canal, the greater Richardson Bay, and Bayfront's extensive trail system. From here, follow the path as it cuts inland and then south through grassy, tree-dotted meadows. At mile 2.5, climb another mild hill to return to the trailhead and complete the loop.

-Mapped by Dave Miller


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