Point Pinole Regional Shoreline
- Picnic
- Fishing pier
- Accessible Restrooms
- Accessible Parking
Features
- Picnic
- Fishing pier
- Accessible Restrooms
- Accessible Parking
Information
- Website:
- ebparks.org
- Address:
- 5551 Giant Highway, Richmond, CA,
- Region:
- San Francisco Bay Area
- Phone:
- Info: 888-327-2757
- Hours:
- Generally 7 am-5 pm but changes according to the season
- Dogs:
- On leash
- Last Visited:
- July 2022
Within this 2,315-acre park, the largest on the northeast bay shore, you'll find a variety of habitats; meadows, marshlands, rocky beaches, while views of Mt.Tamalpais, the Marin shoreline, and San Pablo and San Francisco Bay stretch before you. Wildlife is abundant, over 100 species of bird can be found in two of the bay's remaining original salt marshes, sandy shores and eucalyptus groves. A map available at the entrance shows 12 miles of trails (at least five miles have some access) that crisscross the park. From the 1,250-foot fishing pier at the end of Pinole Point Road you can see remnants of the old pier that stretched for 900 feet into San Pablo Bay, and was once the busy shipping dock of Atlas Powder Company. In summer most of its grassy areas are dry and it can be hot.
As part of the Bay Water Trail there is a paved ramp that leads to a small pocket beach for launching small craft boats. Assistance getting to the water will likely be required for individuals with mobility disabilities.
Trails and Pathways
- Trail:
- Pinole Point Road
- Time to Complete:
- 30 minutes
- Trailhead Location:
- At the Giant entrance parking lot
- Trail Length:
- 1-2 total miles
- Typical Width:
- 4 ft. & above
- Typical Grade:
- Mostly gentle
- Typical Terrain:
- Hard
Trail Overview: Pinole Point Road (closed to automobile traffic) the main route through the center of the park, leads to the end of the point and fishing pier. Because it is paved it can be crowded with people walking their dogs, kids on bikes and fisherman heading to the pier. It starts from the parking lot with a gentle climb over a railway overpass, then runs almost level until it dips and climbs for a few hundred yards as it approaches the pier. Benches are available all along the way as well as pleasant picnic areas with moderately accessible tables and barbecues. The other trails reviewed here can be reached from Pinole Point Rd.
More Info: The steepest section (>8%, a typical ramp) is at 1 mile.
- Trail:
- Cook's Point Trail
- Time to Complete:
- 30 minutes
- Trailhead Location:
- Start from the Giant Cluster picnic area. Sign says Giant Station trail
- Trail Length:
- 1-2 total miles
- Typical Width:
- 4 ft. & above
- Typical Grade:
- Mostly gentle
- Typical Terrain:
- Moderately Firm
Trail Overview: This nearly level trail is probably the best way to get away from the crowd at Point Pinole. During my mid-winter visit it was evident that it had been a wet winter by the lush emerald green carpet that blanketed the expansive meadow. Frogs could be heard but not seen. After nearly a mile in and out of eucalyptus woods, it reaches a pleasant narrow beach, which may be hard enough for some wheelchairs to cross. Except in wet weather, any wheelchair could travel the quarter mile or so of trail along the water's edge.
More Info: Only the first stretch, a few hundred feet, is slightly steeper than 1:12 The unnamed spur that parallels the water may be narrow in places. Surface is mostly hard gravel, but it may be uncomfortably rough, and at the end, some dirt stretches may get muddy after rain.
- Trail:
- Owl Alley
- Time to Complete:
- 1 hour
- Trailhead Location:
- Northern entrance; near picnic area by pier. Southern entrance; follow Giant Station to Cooks Point Trail, then Owl Alley.
- Trail Length:
- 1-2 total miles
- Typical Width:
- 4 ft. & above
- Typical Grade:
- Gentle
- Typical Terrain:
- Firm
Trail Overview: We started at the southern entrance paying close attention to trail signage; it's easier to follow from the north entrance. Owl Alley Trail parallels Pinole Point Trail further inland offering views of San Pablo Bay and the hills beyond. Much of this trail has expansive views of the grasslands until you reach a eucalyptus grove where, from Dec. thru Feb. you might catch a glimpse of Monarch butterflies. A small fresh water pond lies down a spur trail at about the halfway point between the trail's north end and where it connects to Cook's Point Trail. It's a lovely private place to linger and listen to frogs. Just beyond the pond we were treated to an amusing show of goats busily munching the grasslands; they are brought in yearly to mow the grasses.
You can make an easy three to four mile loop when one combines it with Point Pinole Trail and Cook's Point Trail. Benches are provided.
You can make an easy three to four mile loop when one combines it with Point Pinole Trail and Cook's Point Trail. Benches are provided.
More Info: Gravel surface may be rough in places. Some patches may be impassable in wet weather. The spur trail to the pond has a steep cross slope.
- Trail:
- Bay Trail at Dotson Marsh
- Time to Complete:
- 1 hour
- Trail Length:
- 2-4 total miles
- Typical Width:
- 4 ft. & above
- Typical Grade:
- Level
- Typical Terrain:
- Hard
Trailhead Location: At the Goodrick Ave. and Giant Hwy. parking lots. To reach the trail head from the Giant Hwy. lot there are a few hills and uneven terrain that are easy to navigate in a motorized wheelchair and for a strong manuel chair user.
Trail Overview: In 2016, the Dotson Family Marsh (formerly Breuner Family Marsh) underwent major habitat restoration. The restored marsh has been renamed in honor of the Dotson family, longtime residents of adjacent Parchester Village, for their environmental legacy to save the Richmond shoreline from development. As part of the restoration, a new 1.5 mile paved trail traverses the legth of the marsh and eventually connects with other trails at the main staging area of the park. The best time of year for this trail is a mild winter day or spring/early summer when the landscape is green and wildflowers are emerging or plentiful. I went on a late summer day and while the golden landscape and views of the bay are interesting, the lack of shade and flora made it somewhat monotonous. It's a wonderful place to watch migrating birds. Benches are plentiful throughout.
More Info: At the end of the trail there is a slight incline into the central area the park
- Trail:
- Bay View Trail
- Time to Complete:
- 45 minutes
- Trailhead Location:
- Giant Hwy. parking lot
- Trail Length:
- 2-4 total miles
- Typical Grade:
- Gentle
- Typical Terrain:
- Firm
Trail Overview: The Bay View Trail along the southwest bluffs gives magnificent views across San Pablo Strait to Mount Tamalpais, and along the shore to the Chevron refinery. The trail parallels the paved Point Pinole Road and is connected to it by many named and unnamed compacted dirt and gravel paths. Since it runs high along the water's edge, it offers many opportunities to see people fishing, boats out on the water, and shorebirds. Dragon flies seemingly led the way as they danced along the route during our visit.
From the parking lot, travel up a slight incline to cross Badger Bridge. At the first intersection veer left as the trail snakes down towards the water. At the next intersection you can continue south for 1.5 miles on the Bay Trail to Dotson Marsh, but instead swing north towards the right. The pavement here gives way to compacted earth mixed with small rocks. A sign in one mile indicates the trail has a dangerous cliff but you can bypass it by veering right and continue up a short, steep grade (10%), past a stand of Eucalyptus trees which provide shelter from the frequently blowing winds. The trees now obscure the bay and plant debris cushions the trail. In 1.5 miles you will pass the remnants of an historic bunker and just beyond is a great place to take in the views at a bench. Shortly afterwards a section with large, exposed tree roots requires careful navigation. Continuing up the gentle slope trees start to thin out and views open up. A good resting spot with views is at 1.8 miles. You know you’re getting close to the trails end when you sweep east and downhill towards the fishing pier and the intersection with the Pinole Point Trail. On a clear day you can catch a glimpse of the Carquinez bridge.
More Info: There's one steep section (10% grade) at one mile. The trail is less bumpy after the first mile. At 1.6 miles exposed tree routes might be difficult to navigate for some but I managed fine in a motorized wheelchair.
Accessibility Features
The facilities listed below meet all of our access criteria unless otherwise noted.
- Accessible Parking:
- Yes – designated accessible parking, van accessible, hard, firm, level or slope no greater than 2%;
Accessible parking is at all 3 park entrances. Two additional locations in the parks interior; at the pier, and at the picnic area near the pier, require a park vehicle to escort you. To arrange for an escort from the Giant Hwy entrance, call 888-327-2757, option 3, extension 4551, at least 3 days in advance.
- Accessible Restroom:
- Yes – Accessible restrooms are at all park entrances (Atlas Road, Goodrick Ave and Great Hwy). Others are by the northern shuttle stop, at the base of the pier, at the Point Pinole trailhead, the intersection of Cook's Point Trail and Owl Alley Trail, and at Palms and Giant Cluster picnic areas.
- Accessible Picnic Table:
- Yes – firm & stable path to tables, firm & stable surface, 27" or greater knee clearance
- Other Things of Interest:
- No fishing license is required to fish from the pier (1.5 miles from the parking area). Some benches on the pier have windbreaks, and are designed with space for wheelchairs.
- Good to Know:
- At Dotson Marsh, gunshots from the nearby gun range can be heard so you might want to plan your trip for Tues., Thurs, or Fri., when the range is closed. Additionally, depending on the wind you may smell chemicals from the nearby refinery. These distractions are not evident at other trails in the park.
