Alameda has amazing outdoor locations, which surprises a lot of people.
The city is wedged between the bay and the densely-populated Oakland and doesn’t have direct access to the wilderness. Yet, there are plenty of shoreline routes with sweeping views of the San Francisco skyline, many of which are teeming with birds and other wildlife.
Most of the trails around Alameda are paved and flat urban routes suitable for all skill levels. Still, if you are looking for a serene forest environment, the Redwood Reginal Park is only 15 minutes away.
Trails near Alameda:
- Lake Merritt Loop
- Bay Farm Island Loop
- Shoreline Trail
- Bay Bridge Trail
- Dimond Canyon
- Martin Luther King Jr. Shoreline Trail
- Middle Harbor Shoreline Park
- Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park
1. Lake Merritt Loop
- Type: Loop
- Trail Length: 3.3 miles
- Elevation Gain: 52 ft
- Time to Complete: 1h 30min
- Difficulty: Easy
- Parking: Lakeshore Ave: Google Maps
- Distance from Alameda: 3 miles (10 min)
- Dog Friendly: Yes
Lake Merritt Loop is by far the most popular place to walk, run, and cycle near Alameda. It features picnic areas, a botanical garden with bonsai trees, Children’s Fairyland, and a boathouse where you can rent paddleboats. It is the main recreation hub and a tourist attraction of the Oakland area.
The path around the lake is paved and flat – perfect for strollers and wheelchairs. Despite the urban setting, there are plenty of birds on the lake – geese, egrets, and swans are familiar visitors. Overall, it’s a fun urban getaway with lots to see and lots of activities to pursue.
2. Bay Farm Island Loop
- Type: Loop
- Trail Length: 7.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 50 ft
- Time to Complete: 3h 30min
- Difficulty: Easy
- Parking: Adelphian Way: Google Maps
- Distance from Alameda: 6 miles (15 min)
- Dog Friendly: Yes
Bay Farm Island Loop has two parts to it. The first one is a lovely walk along the waterfront, which has lots of birds and fantastic views of an iconic San Francisco skyline. In contrast, the second part runs along the airport and a golf course – not so scenic.
If you are training, it makes sense to complete the whole loop, but stick to the waterfront part if you came for the views and the fresh air.
3. Shoreline Trail
- Type: Out and Back
- Trail Length: 4.2 miles
- Elevation Gain: 30 ft
- Time to Complete: 2h
- Difficulty: Easy
- Parking: Trailhead Lot: Google Maps
- Distance from Alameda: 1 mile (5 min)
- Dog Friendly: Yes (not on the beach)
Shoreline Trail runs along the Robert W. Crown Beach and has fantastic views of the bay. You can stick to the paved path or walk by the water, and there is a designated bike lane for cyclists, too.
Apart from the scenery, the trail has a lot to offer. On the far end, there is Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary with viewing platforms (bring binoculars). And near the parking lot, there is Crab Cove Visitors Center with its aquarium and marine life exhibits. And if you want, you can walk all the way to USS Hornet – a WWII aircraft carrier that helped recover Apollo 11.
It’s a fun trail with lots to do, and you can finish your hike with a picnic on the beach.
4. Bay Bridge Trail
- Type: Out and Back
- Trail Length: 6.3 miles
- Elevation Gain: 243 ft
- Time to Complete: 3h
- Difficulty: Easy
- Parking: Regional Shoreline Parking: Google Maps
- Distance from Alameda: 6 miles (12 min)
- Dog Friendly: Yes
Bay Bridge Trail is a scenic route that runs from IKEA at Emeryville to Yerba Buana Island. It is known for the stunning bay panorama and the sweeping views of San Francisco. Also, you can spot a lot of marine traffic and watch containerships come and go from Oakland.
The path has a slight uphill to the island but is relatively flat with a smooth paved surface making it an excellent choice for cyclists and runners. Also, there are restrooms at the main parking and the island end.
Although remarkable, the trail runs parallel to the road, making it very noisy to the point where it’s difficult to hear people talk. This is the route’s biggest downside, but you can use earplugs to mediate this nuisance.
Also, like on any other hike, the weather has a significant impact on the experience. It can get very windy and foggy, so if you want to make the most of the route, the best time to visit is on clear days.
More Hiking Trails:
5. Dimond Canyon
- Type: Out and Back
- Trail Length: 4.2 miles
- Elevation Gain: 518 ft
- Time to Complete: 2h
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Parking: Benevides Ave: Google Maps
- Distance from Alameda: 6 miles (15 min)
- Dog Friendly: Yes
Dimond Canyon has two main trails Bridgeview Trail and Old Cañon Trail; both run along Sausal Creek. There are many options for exploring the area, but the most popular choice is to park at Benevides Ave, take Old Cañon Trail to Route 13, and then loop back on Bridgeview Trail.
Unlike many other trails around Alameda, Dimond Canyon is actually a hiking trail. It has ascents and descents, a tree cover for hot days, and a natural surface with muddy patches. So, if you are looking for something more than a paved walk, this is the nearest option to Alameda.
Also, the area is an excellent choice for families with children because of the swings and trolls, which kids love. There is even a map with trolls’ names and locations that you can use on a troll hunt.
6. Martin Luther King Jr. Shoreline Trail
- Type: Out and Back
- Trail Length: 3.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 18 ft
- Time to Complete: 1h 30min
- Difficulty: Easy
- Parking: Trailhead Lot: Google Maps
- Distance from Alameda: 6 miles (10 min)
- Dog Friendly: No
Martin Luther King Jr. Shoreline Trail is all about birdwatching. It runs along San Leandro Bay, passing marshlands that are teaming with birds; bring binoculars!
The trail itself is paved and flat. It is easily accessible by hikers of any skill level, as well as strollers and wheelchairs. Also, there are a couple of boardwalk sections with bird overlooks.
Another positive about this route is that it is part of the 500-mile long Bay Trail that, once completed, will loop around the whole of San Francisco Bay. This means you can easily extend your hike in either direction and make it as long or as short as you like. For example, consider continuing to the Arrowhead Marsh – the neighboring preserve area.
7. Middle Harbor Shoreline Park
- Type: Out and Back
- Trail Length: 3.1 miles
- Elevation Gain: 23 ft
- Time to Complete: 1h 30min
- Difficulty: Easy
- Parking: Shoreline Park: Google Maps
- Distance from Alameda: 6 miles (15 min)
- Dog Friendly: No
Middle Harbor Shoreline Park is all about naval history and the views of the active container terminal with its massive cranes and gigantic ships. If you like all things nautical, this hike is an excellent option for you.
Once a navy supply center and a busy industrial hub, the park is now a green area with sweeping views of the bay and San Francisco skyline.
The best way to explore the area is to park at the southern lot and walk all the way to Pointview Park. There are plenty of benches and picnic areas to pause and soak in the views.
The paths are laid with packed gravel and paved in sections. The route is stroller-approved and wheelchair-accessible – an excellent place to run and cycle, too.
8. Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park
- Type: Out and Back/ Loop
- Trail Length: Varies
- Elevation Gain: Varies
- Time to Complete: Varies
- Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
- Parking: Skyline Blvd: Google Maps
- Distance from Alameda: 11 miles (15 min)
- Dog Friendly: Yes
Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park is the nearest wilderness area to Alameda. It offers hundreds of miles of hiking and cycling trails, campsites, 150-foot sequoia giants, and diverse wildlife. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the urban environment, this is your best bet.
Most of the trails in the park are highly rated, and the whole area is hugely popular with visitors as it serves the densely-populated Oakland and its suburbs. Despite this, you can find crowd-free trails and enjoy the tranquility of the forest.
The fantastic hiking options are too many in the park and deserve a separate post, but the best place to start is to visit East Bay Parks page, which has the park information and trails map.
Final Thoughts
Despite its urban nature, Alameda has quite a few outdoor spaces for walking, running, and cycling. But if you are looking for hiking in the forest, Redwood Regional Park in Oakland is your best bet; it’s only 15 minutes away from the city.
More Bay Area Trails:
More Trails in California:
Lakes in California:
Beaches in California:
