Nicely shaded. Just wish we knew where the trail starts. A yelper helped by saying the cross…read morestreet of campus and oak. We parked all the way up the hill where the houses were. That was the toughest. The trail was nice and flat or manageable. Shaded. If no shade, super sunny and hot. You can hear the tiny stream. Picnic tables to eat and sit. I took pictures of map. They even have markers on how far you've walked. Next time we will start at the East Ave Park. Hayward has such a cool community.

Five stars for the mostly shaded trail that has trees, little creek, up and down hills for hikers…read moreof all levels, occasional wildlife sightings, and such an enjoyable outing when it's warm. However, either the park/city management does not take trail maintenance job seriously, or visitors/residents of Hayward have no self-respect to keep this little piece of green jewel presentable. There are trash along the trail, what looks like discarded tent/clothes/bedding not far from the trail, and graffiti sprayed around the park. One star for the trail conditions.

Recently visited the park for the first time and loved it! Not sure what happened when I used my…read moremap, but it brought me to Ziele Creek entrance, which is 5 miles away from the main entrance. Luckily, there was an East Bay Regional employee nearby working and I was able to get directions from him as I had no service In the area. When I finally made it to the main entrance, I saw the lot, which had plenty of parking. There is a restroom by what looks like visitor center which also appeared to possibly be remodeled as it was fenced up. There are so many trails to take; you get wonderful views of East Bay! The trails are steep, but it's a great workout!

April 26, 2026 - Back for the annual amazing and beautiful display of irises and other native…read moreplants. Come before the season ends! Thurs to Sun 10-4pm. Porta potty available. Garden has various areas to sit and chat. Great to stop by before or after hike at Dry Creek Regional Park.

Beautiful view of the shore, and not a cumbersome walk at all. I love this place when there are…read morefewer people. It's nice to just sit down or go on a quick stroll to ease your mind. Easily accessible, but parking can be hard to find sometimes on busier days.

Easy to find, has multiple entrances and parking areas…read more Parked at the very end where there is handicap parking, a restroom and water available to use Parked to see a pair of elderly couple walking, a family of 4 (two kids under 10 guessing) bike riding, many fishing and a few runners, so this place is for everyone The first half was pretty barren, was hoping to see a bit more, but once we get to the ocean side, beautiful and unobstructed You'll feel very refreshed, close to nature

Five stars because it costs no yen…read more As far as Japanese gardens go, this one is my least favorite because it is rectangular, with a visible metal fence perimeter, with ugly trash and graffiti visible from across the creek and no opportunities to feed the koi fish. Three things, though, that make it special is that they have memorial plaques, stray cats, and blowtorched wood for an aged and weather-resistant finish. From 1913-1962, the site was a practice site for farming and raising livestock for Hayward Union High. It became a garden by the late 1970s, and when dedicated in 1980, focusing on botany (with plants donated by local Japanese-American nurseries) rather than religion. Every first Saturday at 1pm there's a free lecture/tour. It's not especially beautiful or big (3.5 acres) or exciting (the few people I saw there were on their phones), but it's a peaceful, clean area. I think informational displays could help people enjoy it more. Or phone chargers. Information like, many of the wooden connections (including the main entry gate) have notches instead of notches to fit together like puzzle pieces. This more authentic approach prevents rust. Or, the garden uses the Shakkei technique: when you can stand at the highest point, the surrounding trees are meant to look like distant mountains, with specific plants blended with the Japanese maples and native Oaks to make the garden feel ten timers larger than its actual 3.5 acres. Or, the hand-selected granite boulders from the Sierra Nevadas are buried one-third into the ground so it looks like they are growing, which is why I don't manicure myself often. .

I did not know this place existed until my partner found this and brought his family here…read more It's a nice, serene and scenic short walk with plenty of nice photo spots and benches to sit and take in the greenery. I loved seeing all the koi, bansai and various plants they had in the area. It is well worth a visit to come check it out!

This is just for the outside area. I haven't been to the swimming area in ages…read more Most of the time (especially not during summer) you can enter for free, park, walk around, enjoy some nature in the city and relax. There are also a few pokemon gyms located in the area if that is your thing, lol. Great place to have an impromptu picnic with a little privacy from the outside world.

Wow! It's hard to beat having lake/beach vibes that is so local to us. Clean facilities and clean…read morebeaches/water. Plenty of parking but can fill up during the weekends. Cheap prices to get in for parking as well as into the lake itself. Get here early on the weekends otherwise there is an admission limit that can be easily hit during those hot summer days. There are also lifeguards on duty here making sure that everyone is safe. Couple of caveats. Water is supposed to be chlorinated, but do note that there are wild birds that do swim/poop into the water. The shower facilities are not heated so please keep that in mind. In addition, just be aware that though many places online say that they are open till 6pm, the swimming actually ends at 5:30pm so please plan accordingly. I just cannot recommend this place enough for families, your children will love it here!

Martin Canyon Creek Trail (mcct) is a trail on the west side of Dublin off Silvergate Road. It…read morefollows the creek under oaks, laurels and buckeye trees. Birds fly through the canopy. Occasionally coyote can be seen by the creek. The incline is moderately steep. There is a trash can at the start and dog poop collection bags available. Be sure to pick up after your dog and to throw the poop in the trash can. The trail is popular but usually not too busy.

This is truly a hidden gem in the Dublin neighborhood and a must! It's situated behind some…read moreresidential properties in a beautiful trail. There's ample parking in the neighborhood and you'll follow the road til you see the gate and sign for the start of the trail. The beginning part has quite a bit of sun and then it's shady for most of the way. There's an option to extend the trail once you get the gate. Then you can hike all the way to the top and get rewarded with a beautiful view. It's really an enjoyable hike with greenery and beautiful nature.

One of my favorite place for sunset stroll with my dog. The trail is pretty flat and takes around…read more10 min one way with lovely view of the valley. Along the trail, there are some picnic tables/ benches and a disc golf field. If you wanted to watch sunset at a summit without strenuous hiking, this is the place to go. Parking is easy around the neighborhood.

"Green Rolling Hills with Lots of Cows--Most Friendly but one Looked at me with Menacing Eyes."…read more I parked at the summit, and took the trail north. It's about 3 miles if you go all the way to the driving range at Bridges Golf Course. At that point the trail peters out. It looks like they are constructing a new trailhead there. The trail is open, so don't count on any shade in the summer. It's pretty much green hills, with a compacted dirt trail. Fortunately, it's not rutted. I found the hike mildly interesting, but honestly, nothing special. Near the golf course practice center, I saw a lot of range balls on the ground. I was tempted to take them, but I threw most of them back onto the range. I'm pretty sure I did not hit anyone, but a few times I heard some klunks, followed by shouts. I wasn't sure what that meant. They might have been mad that I still had 2 golf balls in my jacket. I did not notice I had borrowed some golf balls until I was pretty far away. These trails are good for beginner hikers, since there aren't any wild animals around. I'm pretty sure there aren't any rattlesnakes or mountain lions. But if there are, I did not see them. And even if I did see any, I had some golf balls I could throw at them. The only wild animals are herds of cows. And there are lots of them! At one point I had to go way around a huge herd. I'm not really afraid of cows, but one kept looking at me with menacing eyes and did not budge from the trail. I was afraid of that one. Could it be a boy cow? I was afraid to get close to find out, so I honestly don't know if it was a boy or girl cow. But he or she looked mean. The whole time I went around the cows I kept saying pleasant things like, "Hi Susie," or "Hi Betsy, how are you?" I'm pretty sure they knew I was a friendly man. I was surprised they knew English. So over all, a pleasant hike. Nothing really special, but plenty of parking makes this a convenient location. The incline is really not too steep, so most hikers will find this an easy hike. For yelpers who are geocachers, there are plenty of geocaches on this trail. I put out about 8 new ones, so there will be lots to find. Keep in mind that there really aren't any facilities such as restrooms or drinking faucets. On the other hand, it's really not a very long hike. Just watch out for that cow with the mean looking eyes.

I'm trying to check out more paved, longer bike paths managed by East Bay Regional Parks in 2026…read more On a bright, warm, January day, I rode the Alameda Creek trail from the Niles Staging area out to the end of the trail at the bay. There's a large free lot off Old Canyon Road with a not so great porta potty but pretty straightforward access to the trail. It's all paved and fairly wide but has sections that have seem better days with some rough sections, bumps and potholes. Still, it's a mostly pleasant ride as you're riding along the creek the entire way. The first section has some nice views of the winter green hills and even the Niles hillside sign in the distance. For some sections you'll be parallel to a busy road as well as some housing developments but once you get closer to Coyote Hills regional park, the scenery vastly improves. You actually intersect with the Bayview trail at Coyote Hills, so can take a detour around the park if you want more miles. However, I just followed the creek trail until it ends with some picnic benches at the bay. Overall, a fun trail that's mostly flat with a few short inclines each time you go under one of the roadside overpasses. I liked that you didn't have to wait at any busy intersections since the trail is continuous and easy to follow. I got to see some deer, herons, egrets, lots of geese and other shorebirds closer to the bay. The trail wasn't too crowded on a Saturday. Overall, I'm glad I checked it out and may come back again.

Great bike ride for ebike. Started near Mission / Niles to end of the paved roads near Coyote…read moreCreek. Some parts in Union City needs repairs.

This park is a gem for the Fremont/Newark community and a beautiful spot to watch the sunset and…read moremoonrise. I've done the Quail trail and bay view trail loop, moderate incline and easy stroll. That trail is also good for trail running. Parking is $5 and the visitor center lot is the closest parking you can get to the trails. There is free parking outside of the park as well, which it looks like a ton of people opt for that.

First, you absolutely must obtain the East Bay Regional Park pass. Pays for itself if you're a park…read morerat. To my friend John D, the new parking lot is OPEN! You're gonna like the new parking area but you know you'll need to be on the early side of the morning or there's no guarantee. This park is in the thick of the marshlands and has all kinds of wildlife around. Dogs are ok except some areas on the marsh. Clean restrooms and trails to challenge, or not!

Lake Chabot Regional Park is an absolutely beautiful place and easily one of the most peaceful…read moreoutdoor spaces in the area. From the moment you arrive, it feels like a true escape from the city--quiet, expansive, and surrounded by nature. The scenery alone is worth the visit. The lake is stunning, especially when the light hits the water, and the surrounding hills and greenery make it feel immersive and calming. It's the kind of place that instantly slows you down and helps you breathe a little deeper. One of the biggest highlights is the sheer number of trails available. There are so many options, whether you're looking for a casual walk, a longer hike, or something more challenging. The trails are well maintained and offer a great mix of lake views, wooded areas, and open stretches. It's also a great park because it works for so many different types of outings. You'll see hikers, runners, cyclists, families, and people just enjoying time outdoors. There's plenty of space, so it never feels overcrowded, even when it's busy. Lake Chabot Regional Park is a true gem. The natural beauty, variety of trails, and peaceful atmosphere make it a place you'll want to return to again and again. Whether you're local or just visiting, it's absolutely worth spending time here.

I am writing to formally express my disappointment regarding my recent experience at the park and…read moremarina area. During my visit, my children and I waited nearly two hours to get on a pontoon boat while I observed management allowing other individuals to board boats based on personal relationships or favoritism. This felt unfair and unprofessional In addition the staff behavior inside the café was extremely disappointing and lacked professionalism. The only positive part of the experience was the young men working on the dock, who remained respectful and uplifting once they noticed I was upset. They handled themselves professionally despite the stressful environment around them I also noticed several safety and cleanliness concerns throughout the area. Many of the boats appeared old poorly maintained and dirty From what I observed employees were mainly instructed to spray the boats down quickly with hoses, with little to no proper cleaning supplies being used This does not appear to be an effective or safe maintenance process for equipment being used by families and visitors Another concern was the way some employees were treated by management I witnessed behavior that appeared disrespectful and unprofessional toward staff members. I strongly believe all visitors and employees should be treated with courtesy, fairness, and professionalism at all times, regardless of background or position Overall the lack of organization, customer service, assistance, and maintenance created a very frustrating experience for my family and negatively impacted our visit to the park I respectfully ask that management seriously review these concerns and take appropriate action to improve customer service, employee treatment, safety standards, cleanliness, and overall operations moving forward