I biked the Sunnyvale Bay Trail for the first time recently and had a really good time! The trail is paved, mostly flat, and easy to ride, which was perfect for me as it had been a while since I last biked. There were some really pretty views of the bay along the way, and it felt peaceful even though there were other people out walking and biking. It's a big trail so you can go for however long you want - we started around north Sunnyvale, rode to Shoreline Park in Mountain View, and then turned around which took us around 4-5 hours with breaks. Had signal throughout the trail and I would recommend using AllTrails as we did accidentally take a few detours. Will be back either for another bike ride or walk! read more

Sunnyvale Bay Trail - Trail - Parks Near Me - Sunnyvale, California

This was a great spot to go for a run this past weekend. I found street parking on West Caribbean Drive at Borregas Ave. It was quiet on the trail with very few people around on a Sunday afternoon. At times it felt like just me and the birds, which included seagulls flying low and foot paddling in the water, egrets, and ducks galore, even little ducklings swimming in the ponds on this beautiful day. Near the sewage treatment, the water was really green, and there was a bit of a stench in the air. But the views were just lovely. Plus, there weren't a lot of pesky flying insects bothering me during my recent visit in late May, which made for a more pleasant experience. The terrain was mainly gravel and the trail mostly flat, which is what I prefer. There were also more forks along the way than expected, it's good I had time to explore. The paths connect to other trails in Mountain View, so it's ideal for those looking to do a longer distance. Me, I kept it under three miles, as I didn't wanna get stuck out there after dark. Everything worked out. read more

See all

Bear and I started a weekly ritual of visiting a different spot on Wednesday mornings. I've been nearby (to pickup compost) but I had not explored the trail before. We parked on the street (plenty of parking when I arrived around 9:30, but mostly full when I got back to the car around 11:30). There are lots of trails to follow besides the Bay trail, so we meandered our way in towards the bay. Yes, there are lots of folx doing work. Yes, you come across lots of human artifacts, reminders that there is water treatment and more happening all around you. Also, yes it's a beautiful spot! There are so many different bird species, lots of birdsong, and views all around. Bear enjoyed picking some of the blackberries that can be found along the trail --- we found several ripe ones! We will be visiting a new site next Wednesday, but we will definitely be back as our 1.5 hr walk barely scratched the surface of the trails. I think we'll bring our running shoes next time as it's a great area for a soft trail run. read more

See all

It's a little dusty. You'll probably get some really small bugs in your mouth and nose (they tend to swarm in clusters). You might even get lost as the trail forks every now and then headed off to strange places. But if you want to get from south to north (or is it east to west?) north (or east) of 101 on a bike, this is the way to do it. The portion that runs adjacent to Moffett Field is interesting if there are planes (or an airship!) taking off. read more

I cannot believe we never knew about this place until this weekend! It's dog-friendly, and a great place to walk, jog, or ride bikes. We saw plenty of birds on our visit: egrets, herons, ducks, and cormorants! Most of the trails are flat, but there is also a modestly sized hill to ascend. The trail meets up to Don Edwards San Francisco National Wildlife Refuge. It's a bit of beauty surrounded by urban blight. In any case, the birds seem to be perfectly happy there! read more

See all

I kinda have a love hate thing for this place. On one hand if the wind isn't strong than the landfill/ and salt pond marsh smells bother me. Than on some days the wind is blowing east and it'a a breeze. No pun intended! I like how there is visibility here and open space like no green trees or much landscape as in plants and flowers. I like how there is a hill and at the bottom a bench and binoculars to watch wild life and open space over the ponds and out over the East bay. It's so quiet back here. I like to jog, bicycle, bring my son here, walk and sometimes just sit at the wood bench for quiet time. Not royal or beautiful or lush just dirt rocks and dust. lol. Enso#70 +- Parking lot. Salt ponds. Satellite. Desolate. _Open dry sunsets. read more

This trail is convenient but it smells like the sewage treatment plant that surrounds it. We were wondering at times if it was safe to be there. There were benches and other people along the trail so that assured us we were in fact at a place for people. Signs warned about the toxicity of the water. We asked someone about the situation and they guessed that we were from the east coast being so uptight! read more

Right off the bat it helps that I live minutes away from the trailhead because this is an easy & fun trail. How is it fun? You will see ducks and if you look real hard you will see hunters shooting these duckies in open season, which is these couple of months. If you don't see that far then you will surely hear the bang bang bang. How easy is this trail? I've seen old and young, men and women of all fitness levels on this leveled walking/bike path. This trail connects into other trails and you can walk or pedal to Mountain View and beyond if you are so inclined. Be mindful that it gets windy this time of year so dress accordingly & always have water with you. For those planning on a long walk, be mindful that the porta-potty is at the trailhead, not anywhere else in between that I have seen. This is a heavily trafficked trail so good luck sneaking behind a skinny bush to relieve yourself. Finally, Street parking has not been a problem for me and you can also park at the water treatment plant. read more

See all

This is basically a waste/wet lands with open trails and paths for a nice exercise and get your cardio done such as running, walking, or riding bikes. It is not usually busy which is very nice. There are no shades so you're expose to direct sun so it's best to come here early AM or towards the evening. I would give this place a 4 star but the gnats like insects and sometimes birds can get very annoying. Limited street parking near the corner of Caribbean and Borregas. read more

If you are looking to get some exercise and want a great view in a peaceful scene then this is a hidden gem for you. You can walk all the way to Badlands Park or other places this trail takes you. Just remember to keep it clean and to keep it peaceful so all in the Bay Area can enjoy this trail. read more

As part of a the larger Bay Trail this is one of the shorter but way cooler segments IMHO. It skirts the backside of Moffett Field and thus you can be treated to a variety of different aircraft taking off and landing if your timing is right. From the private jets of the Google elite, to all sorts of military birds you never know what you are going to get. Personally Ive seen F-15's C-17's, C-5's the VC-25A aka AF1, An-124's, C-130's, T-38, F-18's..... the list could go on for days. You also get to go by an old "special weapons bunker" How Special? lets just say they don't have double razor wire, lighting protection, and guard towers for just any old weapon. There is also a fair amount of wildlife to be found beyond the expected ducks and chipmunks. Depending on the time of year you can run into nesting snow geese, storks of various sizes, rabbits, hawks, an eagle, and lots and lots of snakes. Think that's just a stick in the road? Think again. The trail is well graded and fairly smooth. Its perfect for bikes and running/walking. As someone who bikes the trail quite often, please keep to the right if you are walking. We both have headphones on and you seldom hear my passing call, so do us both a favor and stop meandering into the left lane lest we also have to do a Yelp review of the EMS response this far out. It also may be fun for kids but I would pack a lunch and sunscreen as there is no water and zero shade. Trail: Gravel Suitable For: Hiking, Mountain Bikes iffy for narrow tired road bikes Services: None Length: 1.5 miles read more

See all

Its a nice little 2 mile loop. Just don't do it in the sun unless you have sunscreen or a cap. It can get a little smelly. But it is a marsh after all. Plenty of wildlife out there to see. If the ground is wet like after a rain steer clear of the exposed dirt which is most likely clay. Try waling on the pebbled trail. Don't go in the water you will get stuck. Very clay like mud. read more

See all

HOLD THE PHONE. Who are the 17 people who decided to give this place 4 stars? ITS LITERALLY A TRAIL BUILT ON A LANDFILL ALONG HEAVILY POLLUTED WATER. Like- the methane pipes are still poking out of the hill of garbage. On one side you see the polluted bay and over the crest of the landfill you see an industrial park. You're more than allowed to walk the trail- but half the time you are walking along barbed wire fences with scary signage from Lockheed Martin. Head for greener pastures- literally. read more

This is the trail to go to if you are looking for a place to crank out some miles. The Sunnyvale Bay Trail is part of the bigger San Francisco Bay Trail that will eventually encompass 400 miles around the Bay Area. The Sunnyvale Bay Trail starts right by a waste disposal site, so you usually won't find this trail by casually driving around, you have to be actually looking for it. The trails are very flat and go on for miles. I have even gotten all the way up to Shoreline which is about 10 miles round trip. The trail travels right along the SF Bay. There is a ton of wildlife that you can see while visiting from various birds, butterflies, hawks, and ducks . As you get further out, it is very peaceful. It is never crowded. Whenever I come, I only end up seeing a few cyclists and some casual walkers & runners. The trail is a lovely way to escape the craziness of the Silicon Valley without actually leaving it. read more

See all

Nice hidden trail near Sunnyvale pollution control plant. The marshes here are home to diverse wildlife including Nene, Mallard, Canvasback, and Great Egrets. We visited this trail during duck hunting season in December. Catch is plentiful around this time according to local hunters. Landfill hills create a scenery towards the west mountains. The extension into bay allows for great views of the east bay mountains such Mission Peak. Overall, the walk is serene and peaceful away from the city noise. Be aware of the waste water treatment ponds. read more

See all

There is nothing as exciting as impromptu discoveries. And finding out about the San Francisco Bay trail was just fantastic. A colleague from out of town visiting Sunnyvale and well versed in local trails, asked me to go for a soft hike after work and take pictures of the wild yellow flowers. She parked at the Yahoo parking lot (not sure if that is the proper location to park, but we did not have any issue) and started the trail from there. It was breezy and sunny by 6 pm and we stayed there until almost sunset. We just walked and walked (flat surface, very easy for all levels) but we had to watch for bikes all the time (too many, I guess was that hour of the day for the cyclists). Lots of birds, butterflies and that sense of being so far away from civilization yet across the street from a myriad of high tech companies. Very recommendable for walkers and runners alike. read more

Sunnyvale Bay Trail - Parks Near Me - Sunnyvale, California

This place was such a nice discovery! I was looking for a place close enough to work so that I could get in a quick run before picking up the husband from work. This place is ideal! There is hardly anyone on the trail (slightly scary after dark) and you get to run for miles and miles! A lot of bikers seem to use the trail to commute and I do on occasion see some people walking. The access is hidden behind a waste disposal site, where you park and walk up to the trail. The trail forks into two - three directions and each side is as beautiful! You do see a large variety of birds on the trail and in the water. The sunsets here are pretty spectacular too. There is a small hill with a trail going up and down to get in an easy hill run. read more

Sunnyvale Bay Trail - Parks Near Me - Sunnyvale, California

See all

Not a bad trail. They really need better markings and distance markers. I was able to get 6 miles in, but there was a lot of meandering... Not sure how it is in February, but in late August the water has receded significantly. read more

Sunnyvale Bay Trail - Parks Near Me - Sunnyvale, California

The trails are pretty bland but kept clear and are wide enough for passing and bicyclists. There's a pretty decent amount of wind but on a sunny day it's fairly refreshing and there's no smell, plenty of wildlife and it's not that crowded. However it's a pretty dull view of power lines, gullies and man made structures so if you want a place in nature away from civilization this isn't it. Also, parking is a tad tricky just due to the location. In my experience, stop and park in the lot at the end before you hit the gravel. read more

Sunnyvale Bay Trail - Parks Near Me - Sunnyvale, California

+++3.5 stars+++ having lived in south bay & peninsula for over 5 yrs, i'd only set foot on this trail just a couple of weeks ago through a running meetup. i was informed that this trail was recently redone/repaved so that the dirt trail would provide a very smooth running surface, suitable for distance running. i definitely enjoyed my "virgin" trip on this trail as the path was very smooth, so i didn't have any little rocks or pebbles inside my socks and shoes when i was finished! other pros of running here: +flat running trail, suitable for speedwork or a tempo run +wide path, so you can run next to your buddy (or 2) +connects to moffett field bay trail and stevens creek trail in mountain view; you can even run as far as shoreline park if you so desire +nice views of the bay from the trail, you can see the bay, the slough, moffett field, and even the shoreline amphitheatre! +free parking in the lot adjacent to the trail +porta-potty in the parking lot (with toilet paper!) +water fountain next to the porta-potty +convenient to hwy 101 and 237 and some cons: +although there are quite a few trees that line this trail, there is no direct tree cover, making it uncomfortably hot in the warmer months, especially later in the day - definitely wear a hat and/or sunblock if you're running during peak daylight hours! +no water fountains along the trail, until you reach stevens creek trail, which is at least 5 miles from the trail head +no restrooms along the trail, unless you run all the way to shoreline park, 6+ miles away +although there is a porta-potty in the parking lot, it did not appear to be well-maintained, and there was also no soap & water or hand sanitizer available - good thing i had my own wet wipes in my car! generally a good trail to run and i definitely would consider running here more often in the cooler months when the sun isn't too much of a factor. read more

The Bay Trail is a hidden gem that currently encompasses the majority of the SF Bay. The existing trail is being extended and will eventually make up a 400-mile trail completely surrounding it. The Sunnyvale portion, while being situated next to a dump and water treatment facility, actually doesn't smell much more than saltwater (at least not when I've visited). You'll see a ton of wildlife, from numerous types of ducks to goslings to egrets. It's surprisingly pretty. Since it's right at sea level, the trail is pan-flat aside from a 4-foot ascent to cross a footbrigde. This makes for a great, easy walk or bike ride. Unfortunately the trail is currently not paved, but made up of loose gravel. While good for joggers, it limits cyclists to those with mountain or cyclocross bikes. Hopefully all sections of the trail will eventually be paved--I would be here every day if that were the case now. read more

I'm embarrassed to say that it took me 3.5 years to (re)find this place. This trail is part of the San Francisco Bay trail, which means if you walk far out enough it'll connect you to the Shoreline Bay Trails and Palo Alto ones. Given that I work only 5 minutes away, I feel ashamed for finding it this year. A few things to note. The entrance listed on this trail is near the Sunnyvale Dump Site, so when you walk into the area or drive, it may smell a bit funky at first. BUT please set your fears aside because once you actually get on the trail, you won't smell much! This is why I say I re(found) this place. I tried it once and was scared away until this year. Now that I've done this nearly 6 times in the last two weeks here are a few reasons why I really enjoy it: 1.) It's in Sunnyvale near where I live and work, and it's a convenient escape from all the Silicon Valley rustle and bustle. The water and lands surrounding it brings you closer to Earth and wildlife. 2.) Speaking of wildlife, there are so many species of birds and especially ducks and geese that love living in the many forking trails around this area. 3.) Now that it's spring time, the wildflowers are blooming and beautiful. 4.) Similar to #1, it's the closest body of water in the Sunnyvale area that grounds you back into nature. 5.) There are so many trails! There is a trail with a placard saying "San Francisco Bay Trail" that leads you across a bridge towards Baylands Park or to the left and around a nice long 4-mile loop. OR there are many more trails to the left of the placard towards a hill and over to the Shoreline Bay Trails. 6.) These trails are great not only for (short/long) walking, but for wildlife seeing, biking, and running! With so many routes to take, you can come back over and over again to keep exploring. read more

See all

This is such a beautiful trail. The path is kinda short but definitely scenic. I was able to bring my dog in her basket. Parking is very limited. read more

Sunnyvale Bay Trail - Penny in her basket on the trail - Parks Near Me - Sunnyvale, California

It's a nice open area to take a hike or run. Definitely bring a hat to protect your skin, because there is no shade. Be careful of the geese areas, though. They hiss and are generally known to attack. (That's why I don't run here that often.) read more

The trail is marked but led us along poop ponds so the hike smelled like you were walking inside a port-a-potty.

This trail is pretty standard with sometimes lot of birds.We spotted some raptors in flight and camouflaged, green heron, blue heron and varieties of birds in here. Love to see the fat and wide mountains and open land. With NASA being right in the backyard of Sunnyvale bay trail we saw some funky helicopters flying. Kool place to spend some time away from the hustle bustle. The water is host to varieties of birds and its always a fun sight. read more

This trail is very unassuming, at least from where this address brings you. There's a small parking lot by the waste disposal site that you can park in to access the trail here. It does definitely smell here, as some other reviewers have mentioned, but it gets better once you walk a little ways. It didn't bother me too much since it's a really convenient location to get on for a little walk. I have no idea how long the trail goes, but it seems like it's quite a ways in either direction. The water along the trail here is pretty cool-- the evening I was walking here there were a bunch of guys doing some sort of windsurfing on boards-- it was very cool to watch as we walked! read more

This is my go to running spot. The trail is flat with the exception of a few spots. Regardless of what people say, the smell that blows over from the dump and sewage plant are not that bothersome. When you get way out on the trail, it can feel super desolate, but it's a nice spot to escape the bustle of Silicon Valley. The left loop is about 4.5 miles around. Check this place out when you get the chance. I am shocked that so many Sunnyvale residents do not even know this place exists. read more