Bay Nature

Good for:

• Bikes
• Birding
• Disabled Access
• Dogs
• Kids
• Wildflowers

Habitat:

• Forests and Woodlands
• Grasslands
• Riparian

Attributes:

• Bike Friendly
• Birding
• Campground
• Car (Drive up)
• Dogs Allowed On-leash
• Drinking Water
• Gravel
• Hiking
• Off Street Biking
• Out and Back
• Parking
• Paved
• Picnic Tables
• Primary Park Entrance
• Restrooms
• Road Biking
• Scenic Overlook
• Tent Sites
• Trail Hiking
• Trail Running
• Transit Accessible
• Walking

Overview

The 3.5 mile north part of this appealing trail is almost entirely level and paved, but most of it is narrow, which gives it a natural feel but can make sharing it with bicyclists uncomfortable. On the fifth of July 2008, the first day of the Tour de France, we were passed by several teams-in-training honoring the day, all friendly enough, but impinging on what was otherwise a peaceful experience of this beautiful forest.

The mile and a half section south of the park was less heavily used when I was there a few years back, and was mostly unpaved hard gravel. Both sections have no benches en route, and are marred by traffic noise from Sir Francis Drake Boulevard just across Papermill Creek. But it's a very pretty walk, with varied vegetation and birds. From the main trailhead, you pass at first in deep shade under tall redwoods, then emerge into sunshine on grassy meadows, and pass great oaks, in and out of bay and madrone forest, with views down on the stream running parallel to the trail.

Details: There is a parking fee if you bring a car inside the park. You can dodge it by parking on the road shoulder at the end of the trail, 3.5 miles north, at Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Platform Road. Accessible restrooms are available only at the park's picnic area/campground.