point pinole

Lots of great trails with views of the bay. A real plus for dog lovers is that dogs can be off leash outside of the picnic areas, which still gives you lots of romp space and some beaches. There is a fishing pier, picnic areas with grills, and a play area for children. The fishing pier is a little bit of a hike, so on weekends there is a shuttle bus that runs to and from the pier. There are paved walkways that are nice for bikes and plenty of trails for hikers. Something for everyone.

Vista of water and groves of eucalyptus trees. Take this rambling walk (you can go a half mile or ten miles on trails) on a sunny day and know why California is the most populated state in the USA. Heartbreakingly beautiful.

We visit this park regularly because it has such a variety of places to walk, from wild to groomed, and dogs are welcome. It has so much to offer: eucalyptus forest, coastal paths with great views of the Bay, a wide array of bird life, historic bunker remains, a fishing pier, small strips of beach, formal play areas with swings and the like, and picnic lawns with tables and BBQs. There is always someone playing volleyball or softball or croquet.The parking lot is quite large and usually not full, even on weekends. It is free to visit the park on weekdays, but it may be quite deserted then and we don't always feel comfortable out there when there are not other people around. A bit too isolated.

I'm glad EBRPD was able to snag this former dynamite factory with all the open space surrounding it. Nice level walks along the interior and shoreline with poop out bus from fishing pier at far side of park to parking lot. Plenty of picnic tables. It is a bit of a walk from parking lot if anyone in your group has trouble walking far with your picnic supplies. Otherwise, a fun place to gather the family & friends.

POINT PINOLE REGIONAL SHORELINE is an urban park, easily accessed from I-80 at a turnoff near Hilltop Mall, or from a little-traveled back road (Giant Road) that travels north to south through the City of San Pablo. The park is roughly triangular in shape, one mile on each side. The park is not much occupied, except for the picnic area located at the southern-most tip of the triangle. The pathways and trails are clearly marked, and well﷓groomed, and it is impossible for any adult to get lost, because much of the park takes the form of open meadows or wide open marshes. For walkers interested in exercise, all three sides can be easily walked within an hour. The park has an excellent picnic facility, located near the parking lot, which is suitable for children's birthday parties and such. Variety is provided by occasional equestrians, trotting by on their horses, and by the tooting sound of occasional trains, zooming along just east of the eastern border of the park. The picnic area has a large sign reading, "GIANT CLUSTER." (see my photographs) I thought it amusing that a giant cluster of balloons was attached to this sign.CLEANLINESS. This weekend, I ambled around the big triangle and was surprised by cleanliness of the park. The shoreline, that is, where the water touches the land, was totally free of any debris, aside from a wooden board located in the water. The trails were also essentially free of any debris or litter, though I did find a child's ring. The ring was made of purple plastic, and it had a purple colored crest-shape on it. The crest shape was actually a tiny mask, with eye-holes and molded on top of the mask was a row of eight candles. Perhaps, it was supposed to be a menorah-mask. Although remnants of concrete walls occur, here and there, there are not many of them, and these do not detract from the subtle pleasures of Point Pinole park. TREES AND PLANTS. Although Point Pinole park is not likely to be featured in any Sierra Club calendar, the park is lovely enough, and variety is provided by groves of tall eucalyptus trees with eye-catching bark that forms arcs and curls. Variety is provided by the marshlands, mostly located on the northern edge of the triangle. Variety is provided by the intriguing shapes of plants, such as fiddle docks and Fuller's teasel. Fiddle docks resemble a string of pompons (sometimes spelled, pompoms) strung on a stick. Fuller's teasel resembles a pine cone with several prongs of a fork arranged around the pine cone, where the prongs rise upwards and resemble a royal crown. Another interesting plant is a type of bush, with blossoms resembling that of a dandelion, and with many miniature cotton balls. Some of the trails are coated with the seed capsules of eucalyptus trees, and these look like coconuts split in half. Inside the capsules are the seeds, which are much smaller than the capsules. The bed of seed capsules lends a nice, organic ambiance to Point Pinole park. Some of the trails also feature a few poppies, with their orange-colored blossoms. MARSHES. Variety is also provided by the marshes, which include a few ponds that are serene and round, and plenty of plants such as alkali heath (Frankenia salina) and pickleweed (Salicornia). The alkali heath, to the touch, has a surface that feels like a wax. Both plants sometimes have parts that are bright red. Salicornia is distinguished by the fact that its stems are segmented, and resemble a string of tightly packed beads. Beyond the marshes is the San Francisco Bay, and subtle pleasures are provided by stems of plants that rise up out of the water, resembling a field of ruler-straight rods. Subtle pleasures are also provided by the waterbirds, and by the unimpeded view of undeveloped parts of Marin County and Sonoma County. Millions of shells border the shoreline, and most are broken. Thee are white-colored clam shells, and mussels, each with the usual array of gray-colored semicircles. Also, I found several crabs, all of them deceased. Further information about marsh plants in the San Francisco Bay area can be found in: Peter Bay, Ph.D. (March 2007) Selected Tidal Marsh Plant Species of the San Francisco Estuary. A Field Identification (97 pages), and in San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission. Shoreline Plants A Landscape Guide for the San Francisco Bay (March 2007) (50 pages).AROMAS. For those interested in humble pleasures, some of the plants have interesting fragrances. Fennel can be found, and it has a licorice aroma. I found another plant, which was dried, and when scraped with the hand produced a nice organic aroma that was a melange of pine needles and bay leaf.OUT-OF-DOORS MUSEUM. Near the eastern-most corner of the big triangle, which forms Point Pinole park, is a small museum. The museum takes the form of a roof, but no walls. Under the roof is a black powder press. A sign informs the reader that the black powder press was used in the manufacture of an explosives, comprising charcoal and sulfur. More information about the black powder press (perhaps about the same black powder press that resides in this museum), and information about the explosive manufacturer that once occupied the side of Point Pinole park, can be found in a book by Jennifer Posedel and Stephen Lawton. The book is Hercules (2011) Arcadia Publishing (128 pages).

A great place to eat your lunch, take your kids, or just relax. Easy to get to in a short time frame.

This park is near a jail, has a view of a the dump, and is out of the way, but it's gorgeous and pretty quiet (other than sounds from a firing range nearby). It's on the site of a former explosives plant, and along the northeast shore you can see a bunch of old bricks from it. Sometimes there are parties or public events, but generally it's off the beaten path and a nice place to walk. They have a shuttle that is used by fisher folks who fish off the pier at the point. It has a paved path that is popular with young cyclists, and there are sometimes horses there, too.

Point Pinole is a great place to hike, bike, picnic and fish. Not very busy, even on weekends. Wide variety of flora and fauna and an excellent fishing pier. Shuttle system that is excellent for those who can't walk to the pier and back, or want to take all their fishing gear.

Mmmmm. U want to feel relax... u better get to this place . Once u get here, theres a lot of space to park . If u get there on weekends, there is a fee of 3.00 but for limited time only. Its free on weekdays. Once u get off ur car, u will start walking. U will pass the bridge. And theres a lot of trails to choose from. If u go left, ull walk close to the shore. On right, more on trees, woods. If u walk in d middle, which is my favorite road, u will pass playground, picnic tables, bbq grilled volleyball net and u got the both views till u reach the end where u will see the watchamacallit ferry bridge (im not really sure wat u call that) but people walk there all the way to the end and some people gone fishing. Shore, low tide, high tide. Sometimes u will smell fresh ocean, sometimes bad. Theres some public restroom but b brave on d smell (Lol). Also some fountain to drink for u nd for ur pet. Theres a service van hu can give u a ride if u r disabled or dont feel walking but only from end to end. I used to walk here w friends.. just b cautious w snakes, i've seen 3 different snakes already in just 1 week. Oh well. Its still fun to get here. U will just here the breeze of the air, water from the shore, and birds that keeps or humming. Its up to u if u want to walk for an hour or half. Just enjoy the nature.

Great East Bay park to walk, run, bike, picnic and take the kids. Lots of easy trails with beautiful views. Their is also a fishing pier and the park provides transportation to help with fishing equipment and to transport those with wheelchairs.

Point Pinole regional park is a wonderful place to hike, picnic or fish. It has numerous hiking trails, all with different venues - bay view or through a forest of Eucalyptus trees. The park also has a lot of history, dating back to early Americans and moving through wartime when there were munitions bunkers which can still be seen today. At the north end of the park is a beautiful fishing pier where you can get incredible views of the Bay Area.As you enter the park, there are picnic areas that can be used, and playground equipment for the young ones in the family. Children will also enjoy standing on the bridge that enters the park. It goes over railroad tracks where trains frequently pass underneath.Parking is plentiful; there is also a tram that runs to and from the fishing pier for those who don't want to hike with their gear all the way to the end.I would very much recommend this park for families, fishermen or people who just want some easy hiking in a pristine and scenic venue.

Point Pinole feels undiscovered in a way, but it it isn't - it's a very popular spot for fisherpeople (who take a little shuttle to the pier), dog walkers and other hikers. What I like about it is that you can be along the San Pablo Bay shoreline on one trail, under a canopy of eucalyptus trees on a different trail, or on a paved road through the center of the park. Interesting historical markers since it used to be a dynamite factory in part of it! I know they're making an additional entrance to the park, but I've not visited it for a few months, so I don't know if it's finished yet or not. I usually go with "friends with dogs". We've happened to be there doing their annual "Nitro" run which I believe is on Thanksgiving Day or near that date.

Point Pinole is one of the most peaceful places I've ever visited. My girlfriend and I took our bikes to enjoy the scenery. The San Pablo Bay views are great and tranquil. You can fish on the pier, bike, cook out with the family, or ride horseback. This is awesome in the sense that you feel like you're in another place when really your just a few miles from civilization lol.

Walked through this park today. It is a wonderful place to hike, and usually not very hot. Has a popular fishing pier and good signs about the history of this park land.

Perhaps a highlight in this otherwise sleepy lower class community dominated by hispanic and black culture - but if you are visiting, just go to the city (=SF) or perhaps Berkeley etc.