Point Pinole is located just north of San Pablo, along the shore to the southeast in the San Pablo Bay and mere minutes away from Interstate 80, but when you are there you will feel as if you are an entire universe away. This park is absolutely perfect for dog walking, hiking, fishing and family biking. If you are looking for a bicycling adventure, then this is right near the top of the adventure list as far as Bay Area based parks go.

Imaging clearing a Eucalyptus forest, and then suddenly being assaulted by a gorgeous panoramic view of the San Pablo Bay that leads all the way up to Mount Tamalpais. In mere moments you will be coasting down a hill to the pier of Point Pinole, riding out to the end to see some truly incredible and spectacular views of everything that the bay has to offer. There are plenty of parks and experiences in the Bay area that are overlooked by people that do not live near them, and Point Pinole is a favorite because so many people are unaware of its intrigue. If you are looking for easy mountain biking where you can experience easy climbs and easy descents, forest as well as clearing, a network of unique trains and plenty of bay frontage, then Point Pinole and everything that it has to offer is right up your alley.

If you are not into biking or hiking, then you can ride a low cost shuttle that will take you straight up to the shoreline of the bay located at the pier. You can tour the extensive cobblestone beaches from here, or you can explore the expansive marsh that this area has to offer, or you can simply walk to the end of the pier to look out over the water.

But really, if you want to experience everything that this place has to offer you have to be willing to get on a bicycle. At the minimum, there is a 3 mile looping trail that is outstanding for families and it offers a great trip that is not too lengthy. This trip can easily be extended for a number of additional miles if you are up to the challenge, and you can bike to all corners of the park or explore the forest for a bit as well.

If you are looking for a new bicycling experience and an all day adventure that you can really enjoy, Point Pinole is really well worth visiting.

Photo Credits: photogirl7

Originally posted 2009-08-03 05:30:58. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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• Summary: This is a hike of the Bald Mountain Trail, a 1.4 Santa Clara based hike out and back that takes you to an overlook with excellent views of the Sierra Azul, Umunhum and also the southern Santa Clara Valley as well. The total change in elevation is only approximately 75 feet.
• Location: This hike is in Santa Clara County in the Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space District
• The Hike: This is an out-and-back 1.4 mile hike to an overlook that offers spectacular views of the Sierra Azul, Umunhum and also the southern Santa Clara Valley as well.
• Distance: This hike is 1.4 miles out and back.
• Category and Difficulty: This is an exceptionally easy beginner hike with an elevation change of only approximately 75 feet.
• Exposure: This hike offers full exposure to the sun with very little space for shade.
• Traffic: The traffic on this trail is relatively light in nature.
• Trail Surface: This trail is actually a dirt fire road.
• Walk Time: The average walk time for this particular trail is one hour or less.
• Season: This particular hike is nice any time of the year, regardless of the season.
• Trailhead Coordinates: 37° 9'33.50"N Latitude // 121°52'33.24"W Longitude

Amenities: Back on Camden Ave. you will find gas, a pay phone and plenty of stores. On the preserve, camping is not allowed.

Rules: The trails in this preserve are all multi use, but traffic is relatively light to moderate here. Dogs are permitted on some of these trails, but trails that depart from the trailhead in this hike do not allow dogs. This trail, along with most of the preserve, is open beginning at dawn every day and ending a half hour after dusk.

Fees: There are no parking fees or entrance fees for the preserve.

Map: The best map to use for this particular hike is the AAA "San Francisco Bay Region" map.

Accommodations: There are parking accommodations for between 3 cars and 4 cars on the side of the road just before the trailhead. You will not find any designated handicapped parking, restrooms, drinking water or maps here.

Public Transportation: There is no public transportation that directly services this trailhead.

How to Get There: From Santa Clara County's Interstate 280, exit #12b, which is CA 85 South. Drive southbound for approximately 10 miles and then exit at #8, which is Camden Ave. Turn left and then drive southbound on Camden for approximately 2 miles before you reach Hicks Road, turning left. Drive southbound again for approximately 6 miles, and then take a right on an unsigned street, which is Mount Umunhum Road. This is a two lane road beginning at a stop sign that passes Guadalupe Reservoir, offering a small open-space parking lot on the right side. Drive uphill on Mount Umunhum for approximately 2 miles until you reach a roadside pull out on the right. This offers the gated end of Mount Umunhum ad public access to the trailhead.

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Photo Credits: the_tahoe_guy

Originally posted 2009-08-26 03:34:02. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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