The Carquinez Strait Regional Park is 1,400 acres along the Sacramento River that comes in two parts. A new section, the George Miller Trail opened last fall for walkers and bicyclists and connects the two sections.
It is another portion of the Bay Trail.
With views of the Sacramento River on its way to San Pablo Bay.
The old road fell apart in 1983 and has now been sturdily restored. Blue oaks and buckeyes have been planted. But there are plenty of fine examples of these trees, as well as, live oaks and bays.
A few picnic tables are along the trail.
The wildflowers were great too – with hillsides of monkeyflowers, scattered with poppies and vetch.
Butterflies perched well on thistles.
In the shade, three colors of elegant clarkia amazed us.
The trail weaves in an out around the hills and offers views across the river to Benicia
up river to Martinez and
to Mt Diablo.
We came through Crockett to the park. We made a slight detour into Port Costa. The town was founded in 1879 as a ferry stop for trains coming from Benicia and on to the Oakland Pier. It was a busy port for wheat shipments. When California’s wheat production dropped and the Benicia-Martinez Bridge was built in 1930, Port Costa went by the wayside.
You can still see an active train line just below the trail.
Total connecting route is 1.7 miles. We did about a mile out and back. Some gradual climbing and descending. All paved. Many more trails to explore here.
See you on the trail!
Words by Lynn Millar, pictures by Lynn and Mike Millar, available upon request.
For more information and directions: Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline.
Other info: Portapotties at trailhead, picnic tables and trash cans.
Hours: Check park website for hours – basically 8am to sunset.
Dogs: okay on leash
Fees: No. Gotta love the East Bay Regional Parks – enough tax base to not have park fees.
Another entrance from the west part of the park.
Looks lovely.
Nature is so wonderful! Great shots!