The best running trails in Mclaughlin Eastshore State Park

It's a shame that you can't walk out of there anymore; that was still possible in the 1990s.

If you're coming from North Point Isabel, when you reach the Richmond Bay & San Francisco Bay Trails Junction, you have two options. Take a right to hop onto the Richmond Bay Trail. If you are coming from the Richmond Bay Trail, you can turn to join the San Francisco Bay Trail. This will lead you to McLaughlin Eastshore State Park and further down to Berkeley.

Berkeley’s Shorebird Park Nature Center is located on the Berkeley Marina. It was California’s first municipal straw bale building, showcasing sustainable design. The center offers interactive exhibits, marine life aquariums, and educational programs focused on local ecology, environmental conservation, and sustainable practices. Visitors can explore topics like shoreline habitats, marine biology, and pollution prevention. Surrounding the center, Shorebird Park features picnic areas, walking trails, and stunning views of the San Francisco Bay, providing opportunities to observe local wildlife, including shorebirds and other aquatic species.

This part of the East Shore State Park Bay Trail runs from University Ave to the scenic Emery Point. It is part of the larger section of trail from University Ave to Powell Street that is one of the few paved, complete segments of the larger, still-developing Bay Trail. This section offers sweeping views across the bay, it is a little noisy due to its proximity to the frontage road and major interstate. Despite this, the trail is popular for walking, running, and cycling and is a great, scenic way to get around the area right on the water.

This Berkeley city park has some nice biking and walking trails, along with picnic areas, disc golf, and a large lagoon where boating is allowed.

This little park has picnic tables, BBQ pits, some benches and a big lawn that's perfect for looking out over Brooks Island and San Francisco Bay. It's also a popular parking area for kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders heading out into the water.

Point Emery, located on the SF Bay Trail, is a charming little park with stellar bay views, walking paths, and relaxation spots with benches along the trails. Open daily from 5 AM to 10 PM, Point Emery provides a perfect outdoor setting for families and dog owners, with designated off-leash areas for pets. The park features two launches: a wide sandy beach north of the parking lot and a narrow set of stairs near the Point, making it popular for kayakers, paddleboarders, and kiteboarders. The short walk to the beach, through small dunes and down steps, gives way to a beautiful stretch of golden sand. Although there are no public transportation services nearby, a good amount of parking is available.

This Pedestrian- Bicycle bridge connects the Aquatic Park North Trailhead of the San Francisco Bay Trail with the rest of the costal trail over the bustling I-80 Highway. From the top of the bridge you get nice views over the Bay to San Francisco, and Oakland.