Touring * Fitness * Beginner * Historic *

From Interstate 580 or 80 in Richmond, exit at Central Avenue. Turn west, towards the bay. Turn right on Rydin Road and park on the street. The trail access is near the northeast corner of Rydin and Central.

You can also continue on Central past Costco. Turn right on Isabel Street and park in or near the Point Isabel Regional Shoreline parking lot.

Tracing the San Francisco Bay shoreline in Richmond, this lovely trail has many facets. You are sure to see shorebirds, pelicans and of course, seagulls. If it is clear, there great views across the bay of San Francisco, the Golden Gate and Mt. Tamalpais in Marin. You'll also get a history lesson. As part of the growing Bay Trail, Point Isabella is well signed and maintained. It is often cool and windy here, so dress appropriately.

The trail can be accessed at several points. This description starts at Central Avenue, near Costco and the massive Postal Service bulk mail terminal. The trail access is at the north west corner of Central and Rydin Road. The trail parallels Rydin for a short distance and passes the Point Isabella dog park, reputed to be the largest in the country. There were lots of happy pooches rambling in the fenced-in area on our last visit. Quickly, the scene changes to a restored shoreline marsh. Interpretive signs describe the various shore and sea birds in residence.

At the north end of the marsh, the trail narrows and wraps around a housing development. There are some fairly rough pavement sections here, but the views are great. Soon we reach the Richmond Marina and the narrow trail becomes a wide, smooth concrete walkway. The marina park has restrooms, water, picnic tables. This park is the former site of the Kaiser shipyards. The shipyard built hundreds of ships contributing greatly to the World War II effort. Exhibits tell the story of Rosie the Riveter and the thousands of others who worked here. It is now a nicely landscaped urban playground.

Continuing on you'll pass a waterfront deli and a white-table cloth restaurant. There are a couple of wooden boardwalk sections, but they are easy to skate, especially if you keep your speed up. After looping almost completely around the marina, the trail heads off for a short section that dead ends at an abandoned industrial facility. Turn around here and return the way you came.

There are several options for additional mileage. On your return to the dog park, turn right (west) onto a loop that passes by the park, around a storm drain treatment facility and return to the intersection of Central Avenue and Rydin Road where we started our trip. If you are still up for more (an additional 3.5 miles roundtrip), continue southwest on the trail between the freeway and the bay (across Central from the starting point), toward the Golden Gate Fields race track. This section of trail turns toward the bay at Buchanan Street as the Albany Waterfront Trail and ends at a man-made ?point? with more great views. The point is part of the future Eastshore State Park that will protect much of the shoreline in this area. Turning around, enjoy the short downhill and return to the start the way you came.

• East Bay Regional Parks - Trail information and maps.
• Point Isabel Trail Description and Map -
• Eastshore State Park - Info about the new park

• Golden Gate Fields
• Miller/Knox Shoreline