Point Isabel Regional Shoreline AA ** 2 miles; v SJ         MORE INFO          MAP

The San Francisco Bay Shoreline Trail runs through Point Isabel. Paved and level, it follows the Bay shore through marshes and then past condominiums, 1.8 miles north to Marina Bay, served by AC Transit #74. Dogs are supposed to be leashed on the Bay Trail, so it may be more comfortable than the 0.5 mi. asphalt trail through the off-leash dog park that starts at Isabel Street, follows Hoffman Canal east, crosses it by a footbridge, and then makes a quarter-mile loop overlooking a tidal mudflat where feeding waterfowl can be seen. By starting at Rydin Street one can skip the stretch of the Bay Trail that skirts the bulk mail center. Views of the Bay and bird-watching are fine here, but except for Hoffman Marsh to the northeast, the plant life is mostly coyote brush, dock, fennel, wild radish and other hardy invasives more loveable for their tenacity than their unexpectedness, growing above a seawall of broken concrete and rock. The freeway is not far off, though the wind may carry much of the noise away. On a recent visit, we watched half a dozen Avocets chasing a cat away from their nests on mud flats about a half mile north of the dog park. The slender pigeon sized birds, with their long fine beaks and legs, don't look as if they'd have a chance against a cat, but when they walked calmly towards it, it retreated.

Details: The park is at the west end of Central Avenue in Richmond adjacent to El Cerrito (take Central Ave west exits from Highway 80 or 580). There are designated parking spaces and AC Transit #43 bus stops at both entrances (Rydin Road and Isabel Street). the Isabel St. entrance has men's and women's restrooms, but the wheelchair stall is too small for the door to close behind your chair, and too exposed for my taste. At the Rydin St. entrance there is an accessible Porta potty. Your choice.

Last visit May 2008