A peninsula refuge surrounded by water
You’ll find Bedwell Bayfront Park at the end of Marsh Road, a 160-acre community jewel that draws hikers, runners, cyclists, photographers, kite-fliers and other outdoor lovers looking for a respite from the hustle and bustle of Silicon Valley.
The fact that this is a former landfill is shocking now — and downright unfathomable when you’re taking in the view from atop the park’s highest point. A climb to the park’s top knoll offers amazing views of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, which borders the park on three sides.
Bedwell offers a choose-yourown-adventure approach to hiking with an extensive, mostly unpaved trail system that ranges from steep trails across the hilly interior to a relatively flat track circling the perimeter. Walk, gaze and keep an eye out for the more than 30 species of birds that frequent this region.
The trail: The SF Bay Trail segment at this park consists of a relatively flat, 2.3-mile loop that runs through some charming bayside terrain and offers soothing views of marshes and former salt ponds.
Details:
The park is open from 7 a.m. to sunset at 1600 Marsh Road in Menlo Park, with free parking, restrooms and a bottle filling/hydration station; menlopark.gov/ Parks/Bedwell-Bayfront-Park.
Nearby bites: Follow Marsh Road west across Highway 101, and you’ll find a number of tasty options at Redwood City’s Marsh Manor shopping center. Fill up with fajitas, a super burrito and margaritas at Los Gallos Taqueria, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily at 3726 Florence St. Prefer pizza? Try State of Mind Public House and Pizzeria for lunch or dinner daily at 3710 Florence St.; stateofmindpublichouse.com.