Nice area to watch migratory birds and hike the rolling hills nearby, lots of wildlife around, We saw 2 Deer, a Coyote,3 Lizards, 1 snake, its a clean park with a nice restroom, picnic bench is covered for rainy weather, I would recommend this park to anyone want a break from the hustle and bustle of city life, Parking lot can be busy with weary travelers taking a break from driving, so keep noise down for the folks resting here, There's even a Rooster that lives there, super friendly little guy. read more

Might I suggest if you are interested in seeing the flocks of waterbirds on the small lake here that you park in the vacant space just as you make the turn onto Waterbird Way. You will get the best view from this vantage point. Don't bother driving up to the established parking lot for the preserve. First, you're too far away from the waterfowl to appreciate what you're seeing unless you want the oil refineries in the background of your shots. Second, the designated trail is nowhere near the water, fully exposed, and the short circular route provides little of visual interest beyond a concrete destruction plant. Third, the parking lot was populated by trucks and RVs with blaring music. I didn't have the feeling they were ornithophiles. RELATED - Exploring Martinez? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2x1rlsD read more

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Ummm doesn't feel like the safest park - definitely doesn't feel "socially" safe . I didn't see any park ranger and we were warned that there are "feral" animals lurking about -- which is true practically ran out. Once you walk out through the gates you're literally in an open creepy pasture, with the cows / culls didn't there! Yeah can't outrun a bull and didn't appreciate hearing the curling of critters running away from us. Also this might be a "pickup/cruising spot" lots of single men, sitting in parked cars, looking at anyone driving by and staring at us like we were unexpected. Interesting read more

Good place to go for a walk. Plenty of free parking. The park is open all year long. read more

Waterbird Regional Preserve - Alhambra Creek - Parks Near Me - Martinez, California

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I should have read the reviews before venturing to this place. Man, oh man, how sketchy this place is. I pulled in, and there was a row of cars and a motorhome in the parking lot. As soon as I parked, I saw solo men in each car looking at me. HOLY #$WQ! This has to be a cruising spot! Why don't the police, ranger, someone come out here and monitor the park? I think what makes it worse is it is right off the highway. Either way, here I was bringing all my photography equipment to get shots of the birds and found out that it's a local cruising spot or drug spot. It's totally one or the other. I'm a guy and didn't feel safe. I left this place immediately and WILL NOT be returning. read more

If you're driving north on I-680 towards the Benicia Bridge, and look beyond the Refineries, there are beautiful wetlands areas on either side of the road (especially the right). On a given morning or afternoon, there are all sorts of birding opportunities out there to view and enjoy. If you have a few extra minutes, take the Marina Vista exit, turn right at Waterfront Road (and towards the Refinery formally known as Tosco) and follow the signs to the Waterbird Regional Preserve. And just in case you're hungry in the morning or at lunch, there's usually a taco truck parked at your turnoff (watch for the Acme Landfill/Martinez Gun Club signs). Waterbird Regional Preserve is a 198-acre area comprised of a wetland and the associated uplands to the east. The focal point of the Preserve is the rich and diverse Al McNabney Marsh, of which the East Bay Regional Park District owns 46 acres in the southern end and Mountain View Sanitary District owns 69 acres in the northern and deeper end. These areas are along the Pacific Flyway for migratory birds and provide habitat for a variety of waterfowl and shorebirds. Site amenities include a covered picnic area, restrooms, benches, peaceful surroundings, and great views. Bring your binoculars and/or camera! You can also take the trail out of the parking area to reach the Meadowlark Ridge Loop for good views of the marsh. Walk to the northern end of the park towards the pepperwood and eucalyptus trees to see signs of the old chemical worker housing site dating from the early 1900s when the Peyton Chemical Company and Mountain Copper Company were in operation near the present Rhodia site. The pepperwoods line an old road made of "clinker" stones, produced through smelting operations. In the future, the trail system in Waterbird Regional Preserve is expected to connect to the proposed Point Edith-to-Martinez Shoreline Regional Trail, which will connect the Preserve to trails in the nearby Peyton Hills Marsh operated by the State Lands Commission. read more

Park has weird hours. Open when its suposed to be closed. and closed when it should be open. But when you can get in, parking lot is spacious, there is never really anyone there, bathrooms are clean enough and the hills, even dry, are pretty. You share the trails with cows, friendly curious cows, but they are sometime MIA too. Back up the hill to your left there are cool remains of foundations from homes built by some of the 1st settlers in Martinez. I love that stuff. read more

Waterbird is a fine place for watching birdlife and a bit of easy dirt hiking. Its got several miles of hiking through the marsh and wetlands. It forms a huge loop. No shade so wear sunblock or wear a hat. Along the trail you will see a bit of an old house foundation. Restrooms~yes Picnic tables in shade~yes Parking~free NO dogs NO fishing read more

Waterbird Regional Preserve - Entrance sign - Parks Near Me - Martinez, California

Not a whole lot to see at this park, though parking is free and restrooms are available along with picnic tables under some shade. It's about a 2-3 mile loop through the mash and wetlands and hills. Sometimes cattle or cows hang out around the area, so do watch for them. read more

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Is it too much to ask to get a ranger out here now and again? I have come here 3 or 4 times with the intention of taking a stroll and watching some wildlife. Each time I come here there are at least 5 to 10 vehicles parked in the lot. I think "fantastic, I wont be alone in the trail". WRONG. Instead, all of the cars have their windows cracked with single men inside them. Oh, thanks, feeling soooo much safer now... Ick.... anyways, here I am in the parking lot, yet again. 5 cars currently here with 5 sets of creepy eyes looking at me. Time to put it in reverse and head to the marsh near the marina. Come on Regional Parks, clean this place up a bit. read more

Before I started this review I wanted to check out other reviews to see if they shared the similar experience I went through and surely enough they did. This park is creepy. I needed to kill some time before an appointment in concord and so never having been here I decided to come and enjoy nature. Surely enough this park is filled with creeps who stare at you endlessly. This park is not kid friendly at all. When I came here there were people hooking up and surely meeting up as well, I left. Never coming back here again. This place is creepy. A shame on regional parks rec for cc county. Antioch/Oakley is much more decent. read more

If I were reviewing just the aesthetics of this regional preserve, I'd rate it 4 stars. My low rating is aimed at the East Bay Regional Park District that manages the preserve. Despite the posted hours at the gate, I've arrived at this preserve more than once for late afternoon bird watching only to find the gate to the preserve closed and locked earlier than the posted closing time. I arrived here at 4:55 pm on 4/8/14 to find the gate closed. As you will see in the photo I am attaching, the posted park closing time is 6 pm. A 6 pm closing time is bad enough, but to close the park more than an hour before the posted closing time is ridiculous., Similarly, a few months ago I tried visiting here one morning at 8:15 am, only to find the gate closed, despite the posted 8:00 am opening time. The East Bay Regional Park District seems intent on living up (down?) to every negative stereotype regarding public agencies. read more

Waterbird Regional Preserve - Taken at 5 pm: preserve doesn't adhere to its own posted hours - Parks Near Me - Martinez, California

The reviews below have pretty much covered it. Just wanted to add that the low fog and light rain during this particular season really beautify this absolutely gorgeous preserve. It's currently a striking rust orange throughout. And the juxtaposition of the marshlands with the peppering of large silver vessels in the waterway forms the most unique backdrop. Mark this spot, photographers! read more

I brought my grandmother, who is an avid birdwatcher, here last night to see if we could see pelicans. We arrived at 4:25 pm and the gate was already locked even though the sign next to the gate states that the gate closes at 5 pm. We came back today after I got off work and arrived at 4:35 pm. Again the gate was closed. Thanks for disappointing my grandmother, East Bay Regional Park District! read more