SUNDAY DRIVE
What you’ll see: The rebirth of the wetlands on the east side of San Francisco Bay provides new recreation access with great bird sightings and views. Highlights include new trails for mountain biking and walks amid the wetlands, and a new kayak launch to Eden Creek, which leads to the bay.
Location: The Eden Landing Ecological Reserve is a 6,400acre wetland directly south of Highway 92 near the eastern foot of the San Mateo Bridge. It is a prize wetlands site for the Department of Fish and Wildlife, with habitat for shorebirds, waterfowl and recreation access established as habitat restoration takes place.
Bike/hike/walk: From the staging area, facing the bay, ride or walk a short distance to your left to a bridge at Eden Creek. Cross and gain access to a 3mile loop trail (clockwise), with a spur that leads to a viewpoint. This is a great, easy trip on levee roads along restored tidal wetlands.
Kayak: If you own a kayak, you’ve got to see this new kayak launch. It is set up at the end of a pier with a slot in the end to place your kayak. It keeps the boat steady as you load and unload. From there, you paddle amid wetlands along Eden Creek, a route that pretzels its way to the open waters of the bay.
Bay Trail: As you drive in on Eden Landing Road, you’ll see a trailhead on your left for the Bay Trail. It leads south, with a jog at Eden Shores, to Alameda Creek.
Contiguous wetlands: To the adjacent south is the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. To the adjacent north, just beyond Highway 92, is the Hayward Regional Shoreline. Cost: Parking, access are free. Maps: DFW, www.wildlife.ca.gov — click on “Lands”; South Bay Restoration, www.southbayrestoration.org — click on “Visit”.
HOW TO GET THERE
From San Francisco and Peninsula: Take Highway 101 to San Mateo and the exit for Highway 92 east. Continue (signed) to Highway 92 east and drive 12 miles over the San Mateo Bridge to Exit 24 for Clawiter Road/ Eden Landing Road. Turn right onto Eden Landing Road and drive 0.7 of a mile to the end of the road, parking, trailhead, pier and kayak launch.
From the East Bay: Take Interstate 880 to Hayward and the exit for Highway 92 (toward San Mateo Bridge/Jackson Street). Drive 2 miles (merge with Highway 92) to the exit for Clawiter Road (toward Eden Landing Road). Drive 0.2 of a mile to Clawiter Road. Turn left, go 0.2 of a mile (becomes Eden Landing Road) and continue to the end of the road, parking, trailhead, pier and kayak launch.
Distances: 14 miles from downtown San Mateo, 18 miles from Dublin, 20 miles from Alameda, 24 miles from Half Moon Bay, 31 miles from downtown San Francisco, 37 miles from Walnut Creek, 40 miles from San Rafael.
Contacts: Eden Landing Ecological Reserve, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Regional Office, (707) 944-5500; John Krause, reserve manager, (415) 4548050.
Website: www.wildlife.ca.gov/lands/places-to-visit/edenlanding-er.