Over 350 miles of the planned 500 mile San Francisco Bay Trail are in place, covering 47 cities and 9 counties. There are some extensive sections in the East Bay. We’ve broken it into a couple of distinct sections. The 12-miles from Emeryville to Richmond is all off-road and mostly lovely, with some great water views and wonderful parks. There are a couple of not as pleasant and industrial sections. There are good options for some attractive add-on loops.
Starting in at the tip of Emeryville Marina and heading south, we’ve put together a route map and a table with segment distances. There’s about a 2 mile section that parallels Rt. 580. At University Ave. in Berkeley, there’s an opportunity to do a really nice extra loop around Berkeley Point and César Chávez Park (adds ~3 miles). In Albany, it’s an extra 0.5 miles each way out to Albany Bulb. The ~6 miles between Point Isabel and Richmond are some of the nicest sections, including a jaunt down to Barbara and Jay Vincent Park, around the Inner Harbor Basin to Marina Park, and ending at the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park. Note: A path across the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge is scheduled to be completed in 2017.
Over 350 miles of the planned 500 mile San Francisco Bay Trail are in place, covering 47 cities and 9 counties. There are some extensive sections in the East Bay. We’ve broken it into a couple of distinct sections. The 12-miles from Emeryville to Richmond is all off-road and mostly lovely, with some great water views and wonderful parks. There are a couple of not as pleasant and industrial sections. There are good options for some attractive add-on loops.
Starting in at the tip of Emeryville Marina and heading south, we’ve put together a route map and a table with segment distances. There’s about a 2 mile section that parallels Rt. 580. At University Ave. in Berkeley, there’s an opportunity to do a really nice extra loop around Berkeley Point and César Chávez Park (adds ~3 miles). In Albany, it’s an extra 0.5 miles each way out to Albany Bulb. The ~6 miles between Point Isabel and Richmond are some of the nicest sections, including a jaunt down to Barbara and Jay Vincent Park, around the Inner Harbor Basin to Marina Park, and ending at the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park. Note: A path across the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge is scheduled to be completed in 2017.
It's NOT possible to run all the way from San Francisco to Oakland, but this newly opened path from Emeryville to Yerba Buena Island is 4 miles of running glory. Great views of the Bay, bridges, and skylines. Separate bike and pedestrian lanes.
Popular 3.2 mile path around the lake is a great running option near downtown Oakland. Lovely gardens in Lakeside Park in the north and the Oakland Museum of California in the south. For extra cardio, run the stairs of the Cleveland Cascade.
One of the loveliest neighborhoods in the East Bay, with quiet, tree-lined residential streets and attractive homes. Include Piedmont Park and nearby streets, Dimond Park for trail running and Mountain View Cemetery for hilly paths and great views.
One of the longest continuous stretches of shoreline running along the Bay Trail. It's 7 miles from San Leandro Marina to the San Mateo Bridge, with great water views, salt marshes, and sloughs.
An easy, flat beachside run near Oakland Airport. Crown Memorial State Beach is a wonderfully restored 2.5 mile beach, with a bike/pedestrian path. Continue along Shore Line Dr. for a 3+ mile route. Good beach and water views the whole way.
One of our favorite runs in the East Bay, and right next to Oakland International Airport! 6-mile dedicated path around the island, with great views to the water, Bay Bridge, and San Francisco in the distance. Good add-ons options.
Wonderful running in this area, 2 miles west of downtown Berkeley. A series of three parks and 8+ miles waterside trails along shores, tidal marshes, and beaches, with views out to SF Bay, the Berkeley Yacht Harbor, and South Sailing Basin.
Excellent running on the numerous roads and paths of the university. Can easily put together 4-5 miles on the main campus, seeing key spots and landmark buildings. Just to the east, head up to the Botanical Garden, or enjoy the Fire Trails for some trail running.
A great running option just a couple of miles east of Berkeley. There's Lake Anza, a botanical garden, wonderful wildflowers, and extensive trails. We recommend the paved 4 mile Nimitz Way Trail, with great views of San Pablo reservoir, SF bay and Mt. Diablo.
Wonderful trail running in 1,580 acre park, a few miles east of Oakland. Options include a paved path through redwoods, an 8.2 bike loop trail, and numerous more challenging options. Many trails shaded, which is good for a hot day.
Extensive park east of Oakland, with 70+ miles of trails. A favorite for runners is the 3.5 miles of paved trail along the south and east shores of the lake. There are several other more extensive, challenging loops available. Adjoins Redwood Regional Park.
Wonderful running options in Fremont: Central Park's 2-mile lake loop; The 12-mile Alameda Creek Trail, with additional scenic marshland & grassland trails at Quarry Lakes and the Coyote Hills Regional Park along San Francisco Bay.
Good running options in Pleasanton include the Arroyo Mocho & Centennial/Alamo Canal multi-use trails, and extensive trail running options in Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area & numerous open spaces west of I-680.
Best running options in Livermore are the Arroyo Mocho Multi-Use Trail, easy trail running in Sycamore Grove Park, the E Shore Trail in Del Valle Regional Park, and some lovely, quiet roads passing vineyards.
Best running options in San Ramon are: the Iron Horse Regional Trail -- a paved rail-trail that runs between Pleasanton & Concord; and scenic trail running at Sycamore Valley Open Space, Las Trampas Wilderness, and Bishop Ranch.
Good off-road running options in Walnut Creek are the Iron Horse Regional Trail and the Contra Costa Canal Trail. There's also wonderful trail running in Briones Regional Park, and the adjacent Shell Ridge & Diablo Foothills open spaces.
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Essentials
12 miles one-way; numerous additional loops and add-ons possible
199 feet for one-way run
Anywhere along trail; North terminus is Emeryville Marina; South Terminus is Lucretia Edwards Shoreline Park
BART: North Berkeley, El Cerrito Plaza (Albany), Richmond
The ~6 miles between Point Isabel and Richmond are some of the nicest sections, including a jaunt down to Barbara and Jay Vincent Park, around the Inner Harbor Basin to Marina Park, and ending at the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park. Note: A path across the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge is scheduled to be completed in 2017.
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