What you see: If there were a Doggy Hall of Fame, Point Isabel Regional Shoreline would be inducted. Recent upgrades make it great also for launching kayaks and sailboards, and it is a stellar destination for shoreline walks with a bay view. On days with high visibility, you can see across the bay to the San Francisco waterfront and Golden Gate Bridge, with a pretty silhouette of Mount Tamalpais against the Marin sky.
Why now: Phase I of the renovation of Point Isabel Shoreline is complete, including improved dog ramps to the bay, improved water access for wind surfing and kayaking, and work that made the shoreline pathway ADA-compliant.
The park/location: Point Isabel is the peninsula on San Francisco Bay located on the shore that juts out north of Albany, just west of El Cerrito. The park spans 23 acres and includes bay shoreline and Hoffman Channel, and is adjacent to the Hoffman Marsh.
Doggies: The park receives roughly 1 million visitors each year and many of those bring their dogs. You can buy a tennis ball at Mudpuppy’s. Ramps into the bay make it easy for dogs to run, swim, retrieve and return. You can then crown the day with a dog bath/shower at Mudpuppy’s.
Walks: You have two choices: Take the Channel Trail (where dogs are permitted off leash), which is routed along the shore of San Francisco Bay and Hoffman Channel, roughly a mile round trip. Or take the San Francisco Bay Trail (where dogs must be leashed), which is routed inland a bit and roughly parallels the Channel Trail. If you continue east, the trail then extends along the Hoffman Marsh.
Note: The north island, accessed by a hiker’s bridge, is temporarily closed.
Windsurf/kayak: Volunteers helped create new and much improved access and launch points for windsurfing and kayaking. You get access to the shoreline and Richmond Inner Harbor to the north, and the deep cove of Albany Mudflats State Marine Park to the south; high tides only.
Cost/facilities: Parking and access are free. Restrooms and trails are wheelchair accessible.
Maps: A brochure and map (most recycle) are available at the trailhead.
Contact: Point Isabel Regional Shoreline, 888-327-2757, ext. 4550; East Bay Regional Park District, www.ebparks.org.
How to get there
GPS: Use 2701 Isabel St., Richmond
From San Francisco: Take the Bay Bridge east (stay left at the split) and merge onto Interstate 80 east and then continue 3.5 miles to Exit 13B signed for I-580 and San Rafael/Richmond. Stay right and take that exit 0.5 of a mile and then continue onto I-580W and drive 0.2 of a mile to Exit 12 for Central Avenue. Take that exit 0.2 of a mile to Central Avenue. Turn left on Central and drive 0.5 of a mile and continue (becomes Isabel Street) for 0.2 of a mile to park entrance, main parking and Mudpuppy’s on right.
Distances: 2 miles from El Cerrito, 4 miles from Berkeley, 12 miles from San Francisco, 14 miles from San Rafael, 26 miles from Concord, 26 miles from Pacifica, 30 miles from San Mateo.
— Tom Stienstra
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