Keep on Rollin'

Easygoing Road Bike Ride on the East Bay's Alameda Creek Regional Trail

09.21.2017

There are those who love to test their mettle with the pedal on road bike rides. Then there's the rest of us, looking for something more easygoing, yet still respectable in mileage! Great scenery helps, too! A mellow road bike ride along the Alameda Creek Regional Trail in Fremont is a great way to enjoy a breeze and the scenery of wetlands and salt flats.

The 24-mile (round-trip) trail runs from Niles Canyon, following Alameda Creek to the edge of the San Francisco Bay. Road bikers should follow the paved path on the south side of the creek. Snowy egrets flock to the quarry lakes south of the trail. The marshland turns to salt flats at the edge of the bay. Briny ocean air and whiffs of sulfur mix together. Stay strong, the smellier the trail gets, the prettier the ride.

The rolling hills of Coyote Hills Regional Park loom over marsh ponds, and the Dumbarton Bridge sits on the horizon. Add some twists and turns by following the Bayview Trail around Coyote Hills (it meets back up with the Alameda Creek Regional Trail and adds an additional 2 miles). The winding road follows the shore for unobstructed water views. Roll call!

TIP: Pack a lunch and enjoy views of the South Bay at the picnic tables at the west end of the trail.

Start your ride at the Niles Canyon Staging area in Fremont (map). Parking is available at the staging area.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories

  1. Napa's Art of the Matter

    Downtown Napa uncorks more than just excellent wine. Art has firmly established itself along the walkways and parkways in the area, punctuated by an annual ArtWalk (year-round) and a temporary Lighted Art Festival.

    View

  2. Tamtastic Sunset

    Sure, the East Peak of Mount Tam is absolutely spectacular at sunset, but some magic-hour enthusiasts are onto a fresh perspective in getting a little more personal space for their panoramic viewings.

    View

  3. Golden Mile

    Dubbed the Golden Mile, this car-free stretch of road in Golden Gate Park features rotating art installations of murals, sculptures, and abundant bright yellow Adirondack chairs for kicking back to relax.

    View

  4. Hike Artdoors

    Add a little color to your new year. This 3-mile loop through the Montalvo Arts Center mixes the beauty of the natural world with local artists’ creations.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories

  1. Animal Encounters

    Located where Redding’s famous Sundial Bridge overlooks the Sacramento River, Turtle Bay Exploration Park is 300 acres of gardens, a museum and playground, aquarium, and unforgettable up-close animal encounters!

    View

  2. Sundialed

    Redding is home to one of the world’s most famous pedestrian-only bridges—the Sundial Bridge was created by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava (its sister bridges are in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Seville, Spain). The glass-deck bridge across the Sacramento River is a true sundial....

    View
  3. View from Keys View Joshua Tree

    Trio of Trails

    Get into Joshua Tree National Park Park early and hit the classic circuit of short trails before the crowds arrive. We also have some food and overnight recos.

    View

  4. White Tank Campground for Stargazing

    Heaven for star buffs: the best campground in Joshua Tree National Park for night-sky viewing, in a place named an International Dark Sky Park, with a full-on observatory just minutes away! White Tank Campground is at 3,800 feet in the eastern part of the park.

    View