Hayward Regional Shoreline (EBRPD) AG - B; **** 5 mile ; Transit? Rainy Weather Yes         MAP

This unpromising location bordered by airports, office parks and industry is a candidate for the best wetland birdwatching park I know. I found the south end particularly nice because mudflats and shallow ponds border the levee-top trail, and since I have difficulty with binoculars, it was a treat to see waterfowl as close as 15 feet away, and have the chance to observe their behavior. On another visit, starting from the north end, we found San Lorenzo Creek and two ponds not shown on the map teeming with birds.

On our midwinter visit to the south end, we started at the Interpretive Center, just north of the San Mateo Bridge (Hwy 92), and went only as far as the main entrance at Winton Avenue, about 2.5 miles. The best birdwatching was in the first mile, which also had the best trail surfacing, fine, well-graded pea gravel. Noise from Highway 92 and the nearby Hayward air terminal was very noticeable, but did not interfere with our enjoyment of the calls of the birds. These included a very wide variety of wading birds and ducks, as well as several kinds of sparrow.

The trail gets to the Bay after about a mile, and becomes a little rougher, with spots that might get muddy in wet weather. From here on, it is shored up by concrete chunks, and at places planted with iceplant, but much quieter. During our visit at low tide, the birds along the Bay shore were scavenging well away from the trail across acres of mudflats. For a closer view, we would have done better to be there when the tide was just starting to ebb.

Near the main entrance at West Winton Avenue, land fill creates a small hill, over which several trails wander. We explored a few, and found them rough, a little steep, and muddy.

On an early fall visit, we started from Grant Avenue, by far the easiest entrance to reach from the north. In this area, planes landing at Oakland pass noisily over about every 3 minutes. But the well graded hard gravel trail immediately parallels San Lorenzo Creek, which was crowded with ducks on our early fall visit. Then, where we reached the Bay and turned left, we found a pond not shown on the park map, where many varieties of shorebird were gathered, including American Avocets engaged in dabbling for food, something we had never seen before.
The trail continues along the Bay's edge, skirting a pickleweed marsh and, after 1.5 miles, reaching "Frank's Tract," another pond unmarked on the map, but well known to birdwatchers as an important habitat for shorebirds because the shallow nonvegetated pond provides a place for them to rest at high tide. More birds to watch!

We continued another 1.3 pleasant miles to West Winton Avenue, and found the trail very good, though not as smooth as the stretch near the entrance off Highway 92.

Details: No fee is charged. The Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center is accessible, but open only 10 to 5 on weekends. I saw two van-accessible parking spots there, and I'm told there's an accessible portable toilet past a gate to the northeast, which we didn't notice. This trailhead, near the San Mateo Bridge, is reached via Breakwater Avenue, the frontage road north of Highway 92. AC Transit bus lines go to Clawiter and Breakwater, about 1 mile away. The smoothest stretch of trail at the shoreline is the first mile or so from this entrance, but only one bench is available in the 2.5 miles toWest Winton Ave, and there's not much to sit on out there. Non-service dogs are not allowed in this part of the park due to habitat restoration concerns.

At the main entrance from Winton Avenue, as of late September 2006 motorcycle-prevention pass-throughs were too narrow for a large wheelchair or scooter, the pit toilet was not accessible, and there was no designated parking. We were told that improvements are planned, but for the present, the other entrances seem preferable, especially as Winton Ave is a long and unappealing drive.

Though the Grant Ave trailhead has no toilet of any kind, and the small parking lot's disabled space markings are almost undetectable, it is far easier to reach by car if you are coming from the north. (Hwy 880 Washington exit, south on Washington to Grant Avenue, and west almost to its end.) There are at least five benches along the north stretch of trail, and dogs are permitted here. Last visit Fall 2006