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    Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center

    4.3 (75 reviews)
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    Nancy C.

    Quick take: discovered the trail I discovered this area during the pandemic. Haven't bern buy in awhile. This is the first time I visited and the interpretive center was open. There's a really nice staff member that greets everyone that is visiting. A lot of beautiful paintings. Also a habitat room with some live tanks. I liked the collection of glass bottles and other items displayed on the counter.

    Kevin F.

    It was closed when hiked by it. Looks like a interesting educational outpost for the marshlands.

    Pickleweed growing near Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center. - - -Tom Brody
    Tom B.

    INTRODUCTION. Hayward Regional Shoreline includes sloughs, marshes, mud flats, and a rocky shoreline. The word "slough" is pronounced like this: SLOO. In 1854, John Johnson built levees here for the first salt-production facility in the San Francisco Bay area. The salt factory ruins can be viewed by crossing the long footbridge over Highway 92 near the interpretive center. The Interpretive Center and the nearby hiking paths are great places for taking children, teens, and adults, where the goal is to learn a little bit about ecology, botany, zoology, and about the Bay Area's history. MY PHOTOGRAPHS. My photos are of the mudflats located to the north and west of the Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center. The photos show pickleweed, which is colored bright red, thick clusters of spartina growing in the mud, industrial equipment that was once used for operating the ponds (ponds once used for collecting salt), and weird formations in the dried earth that resemble volcano craters. Also shown is a photo of me, wearing my University of Wisconsin shirt. To date, I've exhibited landscape photographs at Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center, three museums, and several galleries, and some of these exhibits are listed here: Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center, Hayward, CA; Dec. 1992-Feb. 1993; Coyote Point Museum, San Mateo, CA; Jan. 1995-March 1995; Randall Museum, San Francisco, CA; Dec. 1995-Feb. 1996; Crab Cove Visitor's Center, Alameda, CA, San Francisco Bay Area Regional Parks; August 2019; and PhotoLab, Berkeley, CA (Jan. 2020). BIRDS AND OTHER ANIMALS. Birdwatchers will enjoy their hobby in the grounds near the Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center. Birds that can be seen in this area include, Canadian geese, Snow geese, Northern Pintail, Mallard, Marbled Godwit, American Avocet, Sandpipers, Seagulls, Crows, Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Black Necked Stilt, Clark's Grebe, and Northern Harrier. Snails and tiny crabs also live here. The salt water harvest mouse (SWHM) lives only in coastal salt marshes. This mouse is naturally adapted to the environment of salt marshes that are dominated by pickleweed. In other environments, this mouse cannot survive. The SWHM has a high ability to drink and to survive on salty water. PICKLEWEED AND OTHER SALT-TOLERANT PLANTS. The most common plant found in the areas near Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center is pickleweed, which grows only in salt marshes. The leaves of this plant look like a string of tiny pickles that are attached, end-to-end, to each other. Cordgrass occupies the lower land areas, which are submerged for longer periods of time. Cordgrass (Spartina foliosa) is native to the San Francisco Bay, but most of the cordgrass growing on the Hayward shoreline these days is an eastern species (Spartina alterniflora). The types of plants that grow in various locations in or near a salt marsh depend on the salinity (concentration of salt) and depends on inundation (exposure to incoming water from freshwater tides). At lower elevations where higher salt levels occur, Spartina foliosa, fat hen (Atriplex prostrata), alkali bulrush, alkali heath (Frankenia salina), salt grass (Distichlis spicata), grow in marshes along with pickleweed. REFERENCES. (1) Carey Sweet (June 28, 2015) Preserving Hayward's Salt Marshes. San Francisco Chronicle. (2) Phil Gordon and Jerry Kay. Visiting Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center. San Francisco Bay Joint Venture, Fairfax, CA. 9 pages. (3) Linda Davis (Aug. 13, 2016) Trail has much to offer at Hayward Regional Shoreline. The Mercury News. (4) Paul Burgarino (Jan. 13, 2005, updated Aug. 17, 2016) Pick some thistle, save a mouse. East Bay Times.

    Started my walk from the interpretive center
    Jennifer N.

    Coming from Walnut Creek, I have no shortage of amazing trails right in my own backyard. However, a trail...by the water....with shore bird watching??? Now that is a novelty!!! I had so much fun on a Sunday afternoon along the Hayward Regional Shoreline. My boyfriend and I began our journey at the Interpretive Center where there was plenty of parking, trail maps and rangers to assist. The trail itself is nearly impossible to get lost on and features a variety of birds, small mammals and even snakes (yikes, I nearly stepped on two past the Cogswell Marsh!) It's windy and very open, so hats, sunscreen, lip balm and a hoodie are a must. The trail is flat but winds right up along the bay, over various foot bridges and sometimes veers a bit more inland with varying shore and marsh birds. Along our journey we saw Least Terns (a shorebird that from a distance looks a bit like a smaller seagull but with much prettier feathers), snowy plovers, a white egret, ducks, geese, squirrels scurring in and out of the rocks as well as a lone jack rabbit that I got to spend some time viewing before he hopped off. We brought binoculars so had spectacular views from near and far. Walking from the Interpretive Center up to Hayward Landing and then back took us a bit over 2 hours-but that includes many stops along the way. It's very peaceful and offers a unique perspective of the bay. We had views of Mt. Diablo to the east, the San Mateo Bridge, and city scapes of both Oakland and San Francisco. The trail wasn't super crowded but still felt safe. This time of year, during the lovely East Bay spring, there is plenty of greenery and some wildflowers to add pops of color along the way. If I lived nearby I can see this being a regular walking spot. It's great for a basic walk, with the added bonus of bay views, wildlife and interesting placards along the way describing the birds and other features of the shoreline. Great for kids, as it's an easy "hike" and a treasure trove for all bird lovers out there!

    the ocean
    Axziry G.

    very peaceful and windy its a nice place to walk i reccomend bringing water and a sweater

    Ricky W.

    I come here all the time... Today I walked my fit bit out :) Ive been here so many times for many years. I remember when the tides pretty much remained high enough to splash up on the paved and unpaved walking/running ways. Its rare the water gets so high in recent years. From what I see today it looks like there was a higher than usual tide...I missed the high tides. Either way its a great place to walk, jog, or run. Its not too many people at a time out here, which is always good. I didnt give 5 stars because the people leaving their animal feces on or around the walk ways is increasing, and the smell today was rancid in areas...may those who leave shit, step in shit. Lol Id recommend this spot for a quick/lengthy, tranquil getaway, and in the summer times you can usually catch a nice breeze, amazing sunsets, and clear views of the San Mateo bridge, San Francisco and the Port of Oakland.

    Nicole Z.

    The Hayward Shoreline is a nice place to go for a walk along the shoreline overlooking the bay and the wildlife marsh areas. The Interpretive Center is always a good visit to see the wildlife art or photography exhibits that is displayed there and changes every few months. Also very interesting in the center is seeing some of the native wildlife creatures in fish tanks or reptile cages. The staff is friendly and helpful on answering questions about the shoreline or the wildlife that lives here.

    This is a picture I took going to the shoreline.
    Emerald A.

    It's a lot of walking but a good place to exercise and get so fresh air. It's near the ocean side so it's very windy outside and nice open space to walk on the trail :)

    Small grass fire. Watching 'em drop water.
    Edward B.

    As an avation enthusiast, I enjoy the Oakland approach air traffic. As a trail rider I appreciate whe waterfront views and cool air. Lots of water birds too if you're into that as well. Lots of ecology to see, wonderful bay views, and easy to get to.

    Annie H.

    San Francisco Bay Trail - Hayward Portion I drove by this area when I go to work everyday, always curious about this location. Driven by my curiosity, I finally went there for a self discovery walk. This place is awesome for biking, but they don't allow dog. The trail is flat and long, and very quiet. You will see goose, duck, ground squirrel, and swallow. I highly recommend to go there early morning when the bay is calm. it's less breeze. Water, wind breaker and umbrella/hat are good items to bring. More info about San Francisco Bay Trail: http://www.baytrail.org/

    Amber L.

    My son and I had an excellent time at this month's Toddler Ramble. It was our first time to the Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center. Although there isn't much to see if just dropping by, the programs offered are where it's at. Anne was a great instructor - gentle and engaging with the kids. They learned a bit, and then got to do a fun craft. After, we all went and explored the marsh. My son was also fascinated with the aquarium, enjoyed "fishing", and explored the classroom eagerly.

    Grace L.

    Amazing trail with Awesome view. This place is a breathtaking. There are plenty of natures to see. A stroll on this trail is so Peaceful. I see many joggers, walkers, and bikers come here. Watching the sunset from the trail is spectacular. If you like Photography, you'll for sure enjoy coming here.

    Clarisse C.

    Yeeeeahhh.....they should put more signs up. We accidentally brought the pup to the no dog side even though we saw the sign that said no dogs cause we had no freaking clue what was going on. I think someone told on us and so the shoreline ranger (ha!) drove over in his truck to yell at us and tell us we'd pay a lot of money for breaking the rules. He continued to talk as I said it was an accident and asked how do you get over to the !#%!^^#$%# dog friendly side?!?! It was around the corner. It's not like Bentley could catch those massive rabbits/hares! Twanyways, the walk was real nice besides the heaving coming from my fat body and the sound of my joints crushing beneath the girth that is known as myself. It was cold, but bearable. It looks like a nice place to come and break up with someone or tell them you love them HAHA. People are even fishing there too....would you really want to eat Bay fish?

    basic look of the trail

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    Review Highlights - Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center

    You've probably driven by thousands of time when approaching the San Mateo bridge.

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    This park is pretty big. Lots of walking area. Decent play ground. I do wish they had a bigger…read moreparking lot though. It is tiny and it is always full. Sometimes I have to circle around to find parking on the streets. Walking the marina is nice. I did a jog through it the other day.

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    12/2024
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    Koi fish pond
    Koi fish pond
    Baby pine cones

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    Baby pine cones

    Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center - beaches - Updated August 2026

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