Martinez, baby. County seat of Contra Costa. Woo-hoo. I have to admit that I had never been to Martinez before I recently discovered the Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline and noticed I was passing through it on my way to the George Miller Trail. Finally I just decided to explore the waterfront area closer to town across the train tracks. It turned out to be a rather large open space of grassland and marshes but with serviceable walking trails, wooden footbridges, a densely populated duck pond, and family-friendly areas where you see kites fly freely (photo: https://bit.ly/3xKS2yz). Apparently the San Francisco Bay Trail winds its way here though it's probably the furthest away from the bay given how close the delta is from here. Of particular interest is the old wooden fishing pier which affords panoramic views of the usually quiet strait and of course, the sushi spot. Oh wait, that ain't no sushi spot, it's a bait shop. Definitely walk the Pickleweed Trail where you end up at the Union Pacific Railroad yard. There you can recreate the train scene in "Picnic" where William Holden cajoles Kim Novak to hop a freighter to Tulsa. You don't remember? No matter, they'd arrest you for touching the train anyway. RELATED - Up for a hike? Here's a collection of trails I've walked and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2OrC8nU read more

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I thought I already reviewed this place or I meant to. I took a ton of photos my first few months in Martinez last year as it quickly became one of my favorite placed in Martinez. It's a nice break from reality and a great place to visit nature alone or with friends family, to clear your head, exercise if you want to, and have fun. Lots of trees and greenery, a duck pond, a marina, food trucks and a hot dog stand at times. Bridges, trails for hiking or biking, open grassy fields for sports or picnics, lots of people walking their dogs in allowed spaces, fishing along the coast, and even spots to watch the trains (a favorite of mine). BBQ spots, a restroom, and playgrounds for the kids. People flying kites near the marina/windier side. Kept very clean and well maintained, beautiful view of the hills. What else do you need? =) read more

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Great nature walk for kids along the shoreline. There are benches for snack stops. The no dogs allowed rule is respected. It is a very clean path. The reeds are tall, where birds hide but we can hear them sing. The wind swishes gently through the reeds. There are several little wooden bridges to cross the marsh. Get distracted off the path to throw stones directly into the bay. Are those deer hoof prints in the sand? Inspect the pickle weeds. Loop around the duck pond. See the burnt remains of a schooner from a different era. If you have little kids, this is a just-right nature adventure path. read more

"Lots of facilities, pleasant paths, too big to take-in in one day!" There are so many parks and recreation areas in Martinez, it's hard to keep them all separate! I was in town today to find some geocaches located in this park. On a warm summer day, this was a relaxinf place to visit. There was a nice breeze, lots of strollers and a few bikers and joggers. I did not have any trouble finding a parking spot. I spent some time at the bird sanctuary areas, watching the pigeons. There were so many, that it actually made it tough to find a place to sit! The park appears to be well-maintained. I did not see any problems. read more

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The Martinez Regional Shoreline is by far one of Martinez best kept secret. Walking the shoreline and getting away from the busy city is simply therapeutic. The views are breathtaking and calming to the mind and soul. I didn't see any water fountains, I would recommend for you to bring plenty of water and snacks. Plenty of benches, picnic tables and grills throughout. They have clean men/women restrooms. Plenty of parking on a Saturday afternoon. The park also has a kid playground in the entrance of the shoreline. I'm definitely coming back to explore the other parks. See you soon Martinez! Dos 15 viente read more

During a recent trip to Martinez, we stopped by the Martinez Regional Shoreline Park, and the park had a ton of bird activity. The honey loves ducks, and duck viewing was at an all time high at this park. They flew around and around, not that high above the water and our heads, almost close enough to touch. That being said, the park also housed the biggest band, the biggest passel of pigeons I have ever seen. I used the honey as a human shield as they swarmed and we ended up leaving earlier than expected due to the sheer number of pigeons which had taken up the area near the coast. At the end of the day, this park is definitely a nice stop if you're visiting Martinez, especially if you, unlike me, love pigeons. read more

Our family has been coming to the Martinez Regional Shoreline Park for years. When our boys were small they loved trains, and here was a real engine they could climb on (at least then). Better yet: real trains clatter by, with the freight trains going on and on for seeming forever. As time has gone on, it's the natural parts of this park that keep us coming back. Most Contra Costa East Bay Parks, although wonderful in their way, don't have much in the way of water. This park has water in abundance and is a unique resource amongst Contra Costa Parks. Beautiful shoreline access to the Delta, with trails and quirky bridges throughout, always with the water backdrop to lighten your heart. Not many places in the East Bay can you walk through marshy cattails on wooden planks! Lots of free parking, both near the park entrance and at the end of the park near the shoreline and pier. I have parked here during jury duty when it was hard to find long-term parking slots in Martinez proper and made the 15 minute walk to the courthouse. There's always a stiff wind here, great in the summer, a bit chilly in the winter, but fine if you dress for it. Makes for great kite flying! The train tracks are between the park and the town - you have to cross them to get into the park and exiting from the park. Be alert if you are on a tight schedule (such as having to get back to the courthouse!) for sounds of incoming trains. Those endless freight trains definitely go on forever if you are caught in the park and can't escape to meet a commitment! read more

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It's beautiful here. However the area is small, and the hiking Trails are not dog friendly read more

Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline - It's beautiful here, my only complaint is that the trails are not dog friendly - Parks Near Me - Martinez, California

We had a lovely afternoon walking and exploring this cute little quaint California coastal town. It's the perfect destination for a little getaway - we met lots of friendly people at the pier. If this is a snapshot of life in California- sign me up lol it's a beautiful park with beautiful scenery and nice cool ocean breeze on a hot august summer day - no wonder the people who live here are so nice. read more

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There is two big parking lots. The first you're closer to two there's a playground and bathrooms. There's a giant real train that does not move that you can take a picture with. These trails are more walking they are not a hike. It is all late and you walk next to the marina. It is very nice and you can touch the water. It's not too big so you can do it all in 45-1 hour. I think it's definitely for beginners. A lot of people bring their dogs. It's one of the few trails were you can bring a stroller. There really isn't any shade was the only reason I gave it a 4 star. It's definitely a beautiful walk with a lot of little bridges. This is a good walk for little kids. read more

Time to update my review along with the newly renovated Martinez Regional Shoreline Park. They have really put a lot of effort into making this park wonderful. The kids are loving the new playground. We are liking some of the new paths too. I've been utilizing the park for work purposes in having photoshoots for families. At certain times of day the lighting is just gorgeous. One of our other favorite things to do is Fourth of July Fireworks!! It's been a great place to come watch fireworks for many years and still stand ups. We are very grateful to have such a great park in our community. read more

A world apart. A quiet place to get away from it all without driving far. All you do is cross the railroad tracks. Wildlife Refuge: You're always within sights of the county skyscraper, the railroad tracks, Benicia, the Benicia bridges, and the rolling hills. Yet it feels like you're so far from everything. Time slows down on these trails. Birds fly by, and people stroll, jog, fish, and bike around you. All are enjoying themselves. No dogs. Can be short on parking. It's a very different feel on that big lawn area when you first cross the tracks. Lots of room to play frisbee, volleyball, futbol, or have a barbecue. Small playground and bocce ball courts close by. BUT . . . as other Yelpers mentioned, the whole town comes here on Independence Night to watch the fireworks. It's a community vibe that you think the Bay Area has lost. But Old Town Martinez has that community vibe. It's a pre-World War II blue-collar development that values hanging with friends and having a beer instead of getting an Orinda house with a BMW. And these people all come to Martinez Regional Shoreline on July 4 when the sun is starting to go down. Naturally, parking stinks. But you need to be there to experience it. Need to slow down? Enjoy the scenery? Walk yourself into shape? Come here. read more

Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline - A place to fish . . . it's calling out your name . . . - Parks Near Me - Martinez, California

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Went to Shoreline Park last night with the boyfriend to watch the July 4th fireworks display. The spacious grass area was fantastic! We got there around 6PM, but tons of people were already there their barbecues, camp chairs, picnic blankets, and even tents! We still got a great area to plop down with our picnic blanket though. It was really great seeing the community all gathered together. Fireworks didn't start until around 9:30PM and lasted maybe half an hour. The view at the park was great because we also got to see surrounding the fireworks displays for surrounding cities. I believe we had a really great view of Benecia's fireworks in our background! Getting out of downtown Martinez was incredibly difficult, but law enforcement did a fantastic job with traffic control. Great place to bring the family! Would love to come back to check out other areas of the park. read more

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The Marina has lots of free parking, and is a great place for walking or biking. It's open all year, and allows dogs in certain locations. read more

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This is a hidden gem in the east bay, a wetlands regional park that offers lush marshlands with a variety of fowl chirping away amidst the tall grass and tules. There is a well maintained path out toward the Carquinez Straights, where the fresh water of the Delta merges into the San Francisco Bay. You can see large freighters occasionally plough slowly up the channel in the distance. The entry has a small parking lot at the end of downtown Martinez, a short walk away from the Amtrak station. There is also restrooms right next to the parking lot. There are a few picnic tables, and out on the beginning of the wooden dock walk, there are metal benches to sit and take in nature's sights and sounds. read more

Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline - Parks Near Me - Martinez, California

1. The pond there is a great place to feed birds. 2. Extensive trails can make for a good hike.. a light one, but good and scenic. 3. I went on a weekend and it was very over crowded. If you want privacy this is not the place. read more

The Martinez Regional Shoreline is a very pretty park and is somewhat of a hidden jewel amongst so many other waterfront choices in the Bay Area. Gayle and I have have walked here and my son and I have taken the train up for a short day outing. Parking and bathrooms are plentiful. There is also some nice children's play areas, a bocce court, and some nice views in a very spacious and peaceful setting. I particularly enjoy the low impact and meandering trail that takes you along the water and over a number of neat bridges. Downtown Martinez is also a short walk away, which is good for having lunch, browsing the antique stores, and exploring both the old and new train stations. Please also refer to the separate Martinez Marina Yelp listing. read more

This park is a hidden gem along the Carquinez Strait. Unless there is a special event at the Marina it never seems to be crowed. It is a nice place to walk. It's flat, some of the trails are asphalt and others are dirt and gravel. The trail circles the park and winds out along the shore and into the marsh area. There are a lot of other things in this park to enjoy. I come here mostly to walk; however, I never set speed records. I spend too much time admiring the area. read more

Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline - Trail along the marsh area - Parks Near Me - Martinez, California

Great place to walk around and enjoy nature! read more

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Another beautiful shoreline park. With trails winding all around! It's a great place to enjoy the fresh air, the view of the bridges, and all-in-all, a nice stroll through the grassland, over small wooden bridges and creeks. Parking is plentiful and safe. Many people are exercising at this park as well as fishing. You can take a trip here right after your visit to downtown as it is just a short drive over some railroad tracks. read more

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I really love coming to this park. It is beautiful at all times of year. One of my kids fishes here. The grounds are well kept. It lost 1 star because there are trailers in the back parking lot that people live in and a few old guys that sell drugs out of there vans, just park somewhere else and it won't bother u. The bathrooms are clean and the bocce courts and baseball fields are nice. The bait shop is also handy and helpful. :-) read more

Can't add much to Ron L's masterful review. Folks fish out on the pier, and are friendly. I was there on a beautiful Saturday and there was a ton of available parking. There are some homeless around. But nothing threatening. Hey, it's NorCal so they are ubiquitous. Just keep your wits about you. Quiet. Peaceful. Train whistles. Boat horns. Bird calls. Flowers in bloom. It is good for our soul. Recommended. read more

I love this place, it's close to my home, small and quiet. I enjoy walking around, look at the birds and wildflowers. read more

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Nice walk, cool bridges, good place to relax. I went on a Sunday and there was a lot of people...like they were giving something away a lot of people... kinda annoying but not much else we can do. Everyone did have their mask on tho read more

It's a nice gem within Martinez, and you also get a lovely view of the Carquinez Bridge when you reach the wharf and shoreline. Parking is fairly decent, and the location is right next to Historic Downtown Martinez. There's a small playground set for younger children, and a small lake where the Canada Geese and ducks like to hang out. The walking paths are generally flat and not too long! Looks like it's pretty well maintained. read more

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This is a Beautiful park/trail near Amtrak and the Martinez Court house. The breeze is plentiful and you get a nice view of the bridge. Parking around this area is free. This park has a large open grass area and a playground for children. There are lots of picnic tables as well for a BBQ or a get together. Walk through the trail and around towards Amtrak that way you can take a tour of the train station. You will also get a glimpse of an older train near the station which is pretty cool. read more

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I love the waterfront in Martinez. Yes, there are some undesirables that congregate and over stay their welcome. Aside from that, it is a good place to fly a kite, fish, take a boat trip, or watch fireworks for the 4th of July. What did I learn today? A great day for a walk in Walt November. read more

First time but definitely not going to be the last. Beautiful run along the shoreline with views of the bay, Benicia bridge, the marina and wildlife. Very easy, flat trail to walk or run. Just enough friendly people to feel safe but not crowded on this Tuesday afternoon. Great location. Free parking. Four stars because there are too many small split trails, which makes it hard to put in your distant. read more

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I like this park. I have a lot of great memories at this park when I used to meet up with a friend for walks after some Esthetician training that I was attending at the time . It's also a place that I would escape to- to just to sit in my car, watch the bay and unwind. It's changed a lot over the last few years, but mostly for the good. I always liked the little bridges you walk over. The semi- views of Port Costa. The trains in the distance. The nice little ponds with the ducks. And although the surrounding grounds are nothing spectacularly beautiful compared to other parks, I find most of the park to be peaceful and being able to provide you with a decent walking experience that will get your mind off things and put you in an overall better mood. I would probably avoid coming here late at night, only because the homeless may accommodate it more, however, when daylight strikes, its definitely worth checking out. read more

Found this park while doing the East Bay Regional Parks Trails Challenge one year and love coming back. There is a nice flat trail along the water and a pond for those want to do a little birding. I like the little bridges that are scattered throughout which add character and charm to the place. Now and then a train comes by on the nearby tracks. There is plenty of free parking available. This is very close to the downtown area so you can always come for a stroll and then head over there for lunch or the farmer's market that happens on Sundays. Since it is on the water, it can get windy even on very hot days so be prepared. read more

Bocce heaven! As I move into middle age, my sports become less X-games and more strategic 'low impact'... enter Bocce! Imagine a game that requires the strategy of shuffleboard AND bowling but involves more patience AND includes drinking Italian red wine... and you have Bocce. These courts are championship quality and are perfectly rolled weekly. (I think the National Championships for Bocce were held here in the 80s). Joe DiMaggio and Bocce have always been the Italian soul of Martinez. I've been to Italy, Bocce is our game now. Visit the Martinez Marina, let the kids crawl on the train, shred in the skate park, fly a kite or just head down the pier to the delta. Throw in a Viano red, play a little Bocce and have a picnic. This is as 'old school - Italian Americana' as it gets. read more

Park was great for my kid's. My older son went and skated at the skate park area. There is something for all ages to jump on, play on, climb on, run along, swing on and so on... There are like 2 different play structures to play on, one for older kids, maybe like 4-5 and up and the smaller structure is for the toddler and active baby. Lots of geese to chase and plenty of (bird, not dog) poop to try and avoid! There are always other families and kids here, people walking their dogs. Beautiful sights of the Martinez shoreline and across the water over to Benicia. Whats also kinda cool is to hear the Amtrak trains and other trains go by and toot their horns. read more

Beautiful scenery, great conservation, helpful signage, could use more shade, but the bathrooms are usually a hot mess! Thank you parks person who finally cleaned a toilet that had poo smudged on it after three weeks! I almost passed out with relief over being able to dry my hands, since it was like 2 weeks of no papertowels. If you wanna have your lifesblood consumed by crawlers, you could also stand in a bathroom portable and wait a bit. Must be part of the conservation effort, cause there's yellowjack nests and spider webs all over the walls. Check out your picnic area before reserving it! read more