Very calm and accessible. We parked on the roadside and the beach is right there - miles and miles…read moreof shallow water and sand. There are a lot of driftwood and kelp, so it smells fishy. It's still clean enough that we played frisbees without our shoes. We moved onto the Crown Memorial State Beach afterwards. Although that beach had a parking lot and a cleaner beach, we thought the Alameda beach was more chill. Regardless, both had shallow water where it's safe for small children to wade out and play.

Alameda beach is one of the few beaches in norcal where you can lounge at…read more We have been regularly doing our open water swims in the area and the water's always feeling relatively clean and refreshing. There is plenty of parking all along the roads and overall, a great place to reset in the mornings, evenings and on weekends.

Now here's a thought. Why not pack a picnic and take the Treasure Island Ferry to come here? The…read moreferry never hits its 48-person capacity, and It's just a quick stroll from the ferry dock to the cove. They've built a convenient walkway down to the beach. Connecting Yerba Buena Island with Treasure Island, this cove feels fairly well hidden and doesn't get much tidal action since it faces north away from the Golden Gate. It's too cold to swim, though people like to kayak, paddleboard or even do their yoga here. Don't look at me though. I'll just sit on a bench. RELATED - Exploring Treasure Island? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/HiNQ-xtdod

What an awesome little cove.. so dog friendly and clean. A rather steep staircase to get to but…read morethen just flat sand and cool views of both the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge. There was almost nobody there. We watched sailboats tying up to each other, a Floating Party!!, these sailors got it right! The bathrooms up top are very clean as well. A great place to stop and stare and let the dog run and swim, in warmer weather I might go swimming with her.. A nice afternoon if you were to bring a picnic and someone you love.

There is a windy, curvy road to get to Stinson Beach. Along the way are Muir overlook, and others…read morestopping points with gorgeous views some with pathways down to the beach. There are well maintained public restrooms. Parking does get crowded past noon on a weekend. Weather in May is perfect, warm enough for swim wear, shorts and tank however not scorching hot. Super pet and little children friendly. There are also lots of markets, eateries to pack some savory food to go for a picnic on the beach.

Come early people take the very few picnic tables quick. Picnic tables have bbq pits but some areas…read moreare shared bbq pits. It was a bit windy but not cold during the 4th of July. Stinson market is in walking distance and have items you may need for bbq ing. Great help at the market. Thank you! Bathrooms had little to no soap. Smelled like urine from the morning time. Bring your own hand soap!

I am always up for discovering new spots I haven't been to in Norcal, Bay area specifically. I had…read moreno idea Richmond had a beach! Point Molate Beach park is a somewhat hidden spot right off 580. There are picnic benches, and steep grassy area. You can get down to the sand at a couple spots with care and ninja like agility (LOL). I enjoyed some time here on a Friday morning. The views of the water and the beautiful San Rafael-Richmond bridge is one of my favorite sites in the Bay. The park wasn't crowded. The parking lot is small. The port-o-potty was surprisingly well maintained and was just cleaned when I arrived. There was some construction going on. After some research, turns out a pedestrian and bike path is coming sometime in 2027. I honestly have no complaints. I'm happy to find a nice, secluded spot to get away and take in some beautiful views. I plan to return again sometime soon.

Nature and bay come together here with breathtaking views. Drive the road to the end and have lunch…read moreat the park tables or on out to The Sailing Goat. View the bay, see deer and Osprey (sea eagles) nesting. Easy access at the last exit heading west to San Rafael. just before getting on the Richmond/San Rafael bridge.

If you're in the area and want a casual stroll with a view check this place out!! The trail is…read morepaved. Everyone on the trail was beyond friendly! Hello! Hello! Hello!! We arrived around 4ish on a Sunday. The bathroom at this time were beyond clean! No homeless living or walking along the trail. We felt safe. The view is beautiful.

** The following review reflects my experience DURING the COVID-19 pandemic. **…read more I would've never discovered this sliver of a park had it not been for an article I read about the $13 million footbridge that was built to extend the San Pablo Bay Regional Trail over the Amtrak rails above the wetlands and into Pinole Shores (review: https://bit.ly/3mVUVcf). It was completed about three years ago, and by default, the architectural addition made this small natural area a central hub for walkers and bicyclists searching for an uninterrupted stretch along this part of the bay. A small patch of greenery with panoramic bay views, it's a nice respite with plenty of birds in constant motion especially if you stroll along the rocky shore. Don't be put off by the sewage plant or the trains that speed by with frequency. Easy for me to say. It's at the end of Tennent Avenue, a straight chute from the Pinole Valley Road exit off 80. RELATED - Exploring this part of Contra Costa County? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2VyCP18

There's no place in California that will ever equal the beauty and friendliness of this dog park. I…read moredon't know how many acres it is but it's huge and all the dogs are off leash and they all get along. I rarely ever see a dog fight. There's access to the water for the swimming dogs, there's access to mud for the mudders and there is a group of canals that they've incorporated paths so I can do walk around and see the wildlife. The view from here of San Francisco the Bay Bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge you cannot believe it until you're sitting right here looking at it. I love this place and I always plan to have time just to relax before I go back to the car. Needless to say since it is a dog park, the dog comes with us and she's always very happy to have an adventure with us.

We've been Hera handful of times and this park/open area is nice for runners and dog walkers alike…read more If you start at the parking lot with the Cafe, and walk on the pathway across to the bridge and then the point with the single table/look out, it's .90mi. Since it's by the shore, it's usually pretty windy here, so layer up. Dogs also g in the water, so be aware of the open access to the water. There's 2 sets of restrooms, one by the Cafe/grooming area and another by the bridge. We're definitely coming back here with our puppies.

This is one of the best trails to do post Pineapple Express storms. Part muddy part slippery but…read morekeeping amazing views in distance throughout. I would suggest start mid day and when you are back you are ready soak in early dinner and wine! The best part was it is not continuous incline but you still end up gaining ~900 ft elevation. I will definitely revisit to do more in marine headlands. Weather is perfect to explore beautiful Bay Area on feet!

Way before Johnny Depp, I recall my favorite ride at Disneyland was the Pirates of the Caribbean…read more The politically incorrect sea chantey they had on autoplay was drilled in my subconscious: "Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me We pillage, we plunder, we rifle, and loot Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot Drink up me 'earties, yo ho" I didn't sing it out loud, but I was thinking it as I was scaling this rugged coastal trail. At not quite two miles, it wasn't that challenging except for the last 350 feet. At that point, you don't see a trail anymore but a lot of rocks. I was puzzled until I saw a couple of young girls pass me and repel themselves forward. This was a pivotal point that separated prematurely mature men from fearless youth. As I was listening to the high tide coming in, I did an about-face and didn't look back. Well, actually I could see the cove from the trail and noticed the waves lapping up the shore almost completely. Redemption. There were plenty of inclines to work out my thighs, and the windswept scenery was nice in a Perfect Storm sort of way - though I think the Owl Trail on the other side of Muir Beach Outlook was more picturesque. RELATED - Exploring north of San Francisco? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2tIHlkV

We've been missing our Seattle hikes like crazy this year so the last few weeks we've been trying…read moreout the reservoir trails near Orinda. Enter in San Pablo Reservoir. It's a beautiful trail. It's shaded and generally well traveled. We didn't realize until we got to the Orinda Connector Staging Area location that it was permit only, however it was simple to find the permit online and easily purchase a $3 day pass while standing in front of the sign, which is located at 520 San Pablo Dam Road, and the sign-in sheet is down and around the corner from the gate. If you start at the same staging area, the first 5 minutes of the hike is a rocky trip down, but in my opinion is a much easier hike back up, which I didn't expect, and is generally otherwise low impact (although dusty). Our visit really convinced us to try out other trails in the area and we were surprised at how much we enjoyed the area and the view.

This review reflects our experience with only one very rude employee, who literally LOCKED us…read moreinside the park just because we failed to leave right at 4pm. This employee is a male who drives white Mitsubishi, was literally yelling at families with little kids and pregnant women. More than 10 cars started to pile up right in front of the exit gate and he came driving very recklessly towards the exit gate and also inside park and parking lot. This guy needs to control his emotions and need an anger management class.