Joanne
Happy Tuesday!
Spring is here and that means it’s just about time to enjoy the outdoors. I know as a parent with a toddler and one on the way, doing things like hiking gets a bit tougher, but definitely not impossible. During our free time, my family loves venturing outside especially because we have dogs, but we’re always challenged with distances and terrain. So, we wanted to find something stroller-friendly where we could that wasn’t too far away.
A few weeks ago, we made reservations to check our Muir Woods National Monument. (They recently changed their rules this year so you actually have to make a reservation to park your car within the park or take a shuttle. We parked our car.) We chose to “hike” here because they have a completely decked/paved walkway to take a stroller if Dahlia got tired for more than 2 miles and we got to be amongst the gorgeously tall Redwood Trees. It was a crisp cool day and though we enjoyed all our nature’s beauty, we also appreciated the amenities they had here like the gift shop, cafe and restrooms, which are essential to toddlers and kids in general.
We spent a few hours here exploring and enjoying nature then made our way to Muir Beach to picnic and eat our lunch we packed for the day. We watched the waves crash and the sun was out which was a plus! Overall, we had a great time, but wished the dogs got to come with us. (Dogs are not allowed in Muir Woods.)
We can’t wait until the weather gets warmer to try out one of these other stroller hikes the Bay Area has to offer (and take the dogs with us too!):
Peninsula:
Los Gatos Creek Trail | 1250 Dell Ave, Campbell This well-maintained trail spans from Lexington Reservoir above Los Gatos all the way to Meridian Avenue in San Jose and features murals painted by kids.
The Dish Trail at Stanford | Location: 400 Reservoir Road, Stanford This four-mile paved loop has some steep sections, but the views of Stanford Campus and Silicon Valley are worth it. Only service dogs are allowed here.
San Francisco:
Crissy Field |603 Mason Street, San Francisco
This nice flat walk can be 1.7 miles from East Beach parking lot to Golden Gate Bridge. Restrooms can be found at theWarming Hut and East Beach parking lots where you can park as well. Dogs on leashes are welcome and there are picnic tables at East Beach and at the West Bluffs to enjoy a nice lunch. San Francisco’s Crissy Field is an idyllic place to get out and enjoy classic views in a very stroller and family-friendly environment set over 4-miles of bayside open space. Crissy Field is flat in its entirety and is easy walking for even very young children should they venture out of the stroller. Cyclists, walkers, and joggers all abound here, making it a lively place for people watching. If you forget sunscreen or hats, the nearby Sports Basement is the perfect place to stock up and hit the restroom before jumping back on the trail. The East Beach parking lot boasts outdoor showering stations, which are very handy for getting the sand off little ones.
Golden Gate Park |Stanyan and Page, San Francisco
This mostly flat with some rolling hills walk is roughly 3 miles from Stanyan Street to the beach. Bathrooms are available throughout the park, including at the Haight Street entrance. Street parking is available and dogs must be on leash except for at dog play areas and for picnicking, Sharon Meadow Picnic Area is the perfect place to stop for a snack. This picturesque 1,017-acre park is home to the Botanical Gardens, De Young Museum, California Academy of Sciences, Conservatory of Flowers, and many stroller-friendly trails. One of the nicest trails for walking with strollers goes from Stanyan Street to the ocean. To best access the trail enter the park using the Haight Street entrance and follow any of the many paths (both paved and fine gravel options) into the park. Stroll along past people making music, playing and picnicking, as well as the popular Koret Children’s Quarter & Carousel. Golden arrows on paved paths indicate routes to bypass stairs and are very handy if you are using a stroller.
North Bay:
Tennessee Valley | Golden Gate Recreational Area, Mill Valley
Here, you can enjoy this mostly flat 1.7 mile path to beach.
Restrooms are available at the outhouse restroom in parking lot by trailhead where you can also park, but it fills up quickly on weekends. There is also street parking available along road to trailhead. Dogs not allowed on main trail, but Tennessee Beach is a beautiful place for a picnic. Located near Mill Valley and only a few minutes off Highway 101, the Tennessee Valley trail is a tranquil place for families and outdoor enthusiasts. The trail is wide enough to easily accommodate an off-road style stroller and is primarily flat. The hike begins on the paved path at the Tennessee Valley trailhead, and within half a mile becomes a wide dirt path, which leads to a fork in the trail within a mile. Hikers with strollers would do well do choose the left fork to the Lower Tennessee Valley trail, which is a bit shorter than the main trail and is entirely flat. Both trails have lovely views and lots of nature, however the primary trail has one very large hill that could be quite challenging with a stroller.
Both trails lead to the glorious Pacific Ocean at Tennessee Cove where children will enjoy digging and collecting sticks and shells along the beach. The trails are popular with horseback riders, so be prepared to see a few horses along the way. Bring a pullover for little ones as the weather can be quite changeable.
Tiburon Historical Trail | Tiburon Blvd, Tiburon
This is a flat 2.5 mile paved hiking path from Blackie’s Pasture to downtown Tiburon.
Restrooms are available along the trail close to Blackie’s where you can park your car in a large parking lot. Dogs are allowed on leash and there are lots of areas for picnics along the trail. Known as both the Tiburon Linear Park and the Tiburon Bike Path, this gentle five mile round trip trail a natural fit for families with strollers. The trail starts just off Tiburon Boulevard right after Reed Ranch Road at Blackie’s Pasture, which is marked by a statue of Blackie the horse. Parking is easy and the trailhead is at the southern end of the parking lot. There are two arteries of the trail: the first hugs Richardson Bay, and the other that along Tiburon Boulevard. The Tiburon Historical Trail flows along past two playgrounds as well as parks with playing fields, so there are many family-friendly options for stops along the way.
East Bay:
Crown Memorial State Beach|8th Street, Alameda
This completely flat 3.2 mile path along the bay is located at the southwestern edge of the Island of Alameda and offers stunning views of the bay and San Francisco. Restrooms are available along the path with a large parking lot with $5 fee, or you can opt for nearby street parking. Dogs allowed on leash along paths, but not on beach. The highlight is the 2.5 mile sandy beach along the trail. It has warm, shallow water making it perfect for little ones, and there is a bathhouse with changing rooms at the west end of the beach. Picnic areas and barbecue pits available.
Nimitz Way, Inspiration Point, Tilden Regional Park|2501 Grizzly Peak Blvd, Orinda The four-mile trail begins at the Inspiration Point parking lot, on Wildcat Canyon Road (between Orinda and Berkeley). The paved path, provides gorgeous views of the San Francisco Bay. For more information about Tilden Regional Park and a map of the area.
Lafayette Reservoir | Location: 3849 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
Take the Lakeside Nature Trail, a paved, 2.7-miles around the Lafayette reservoir. It’s mostly flat and shady, with pretty views of the hills and water. When you’re ready to break from walking, choose a table on the east lawn, where the playground will keep little squirmballs busy. Remember to bring $6 for parking (exact change only), or to bring plenty of quarters for metered, 2-hour parking.
Point Pinole Regional Shoreline | Location: 5551 Giant Hwy, Richmond
This easy hike is nearly all flat, with some gentle hills, picnic areas, and a children’s playground. You don’t even have to walk to the fishing pier – a shuttle will pick up guests from the parking lot.
South Bay:
Deer Hollow Farm|22500 Cristo Rey Dr, Cupertino You can take a nice 1- mile hike from the parking lot and picnic area to the farm that’s open to the public for free except when they have special events. Here, you can explore the barnyard with its century old buildings and visit with the animals like goats, cows, sheep, chickens, ducks, and pigs. You can also check out their organic orchard and garden along with 24 additional miles of trails that surround the Rancho San Antonio Open Space Reserve. Lastly, enjoy a nice lunch at a picnic table in the Hay Barn or enjoy the views from one of the benches along the way.
Westcliff Drive | 2531 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz Start at the Santa Cruz Lighthouse and enjoy sweeping coastal views en route to Natural Bridges State Park. Your kids can play in the sand or continue on to the Monarch butterfly grove.
Enjoy and Happy Spring!
Yes! Finally someting about 2654.