Bike, Beers, Shore Thing!

Bike then Beer at Redwood Shores on the Peninsula South Bay

Woman taking a photo on a bike path

The coastal community of Redwood Shores may be known for its tech campuses, but this 8.5-mile bike loop explores the natural side of this beautiful peninsula. With a brew pub bonus!

(Some sections of the Bay Trail are unpaved, so a mountain or gravel bike is recommended.)

From the Oracle Parkway parking lot, head north on the Bay Trail. After passing through native flower gardens, cyclists can stop at the trailside viewing station that overlooks the Belmont Slough. Take a look in the tower viewers and see if you can spot the herons and egrets that call this waterway home.

Continue along the Bay Trail as it dips south to the Redwood Shores Branch Library. This section of trail is lined with public exercise stations, perfect for those who want to add an upper body workout or a good stretch to their ride.

The trail continues north, following the curve of the slough. After passing through Preserve Park, turn right to head toward the western tip of the peninsula. Here, the Belmont Slough and Bay Slough combine to create a perfect wetland for our Bay Area water birds. Turn left onto the viewing platform to overlook Bird Island. Avocets, stilts, and California clapper rails can often be spotted on the shore.

Return to the trail and turn left on the bridge to reach Radio Road. Follow the road until it passes Shore Dogs Park, then continue straight onto the Bay Trail. Turn right to follow the Bay Trail south, alongside Steinberger Slough. This gravel path features photo-worthy views of the bright blue water and Bair Island to the east. Colorful flower gardens and home orchards line the opposite side of the trail.

When the trail dead-ends at the Marriott hotel, turn right to merge onto Twin Dolphin Drive. Follow this to Marine Parkway, then cross the street to get an up-close view of the Oracle Team USA boat moored on the Oracle campus. Head south on Marine Parkway, and after the intersection with Oracle Parkway, turn right to hop back onto the Bay Trail and return to the parking lot.

The mid-peninsula is a hotspot for craft breweries, so before heading home, be sure to grab a refreshing pint! After a summertime bike ride, Heather recommends the fruity sour beers at Fieldwork Brewing Company in San Mateo.

Person overlooking the beer tasting options at Fieldwork Brewing

The Oracle Parkway parking lot is located at 501 Island Place in Redwood City. Map.

Story and photos by Heather Werner, heath.er.wer.ner

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  2. Surfboards and tents for shade are set up on the beach at Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area in the Swim Lagoon Area

    Switchbacks and Swimming Holes

    Hike hard, play hard! This 7-mile out-and-back in Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area is a great workout with payoff vistas and a relaxing post-hike picnic and dip in the water.

    View
  3. Hike the Rainbow

    Catch all the colors of a rainbow at Calero County Park on this 10-mile hike currently showcasing the season’s best blooms.

    View
  4. Hike Purisima Creek Open Space Preserve

    Purisima Charisma

    Hundred-foot redwoods, a shaded canyon, and views overlooking Half Moon Bay. This 10-mile loop hike in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve is a roller-coaster of uphill and downhill along with easygoing stretches through some of the Bay Area’s most beautiful landscape.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. People on a guided horseback tour with Central Coast Trailrides at Santa Margarita Ranch near Paso Robles

    Saddle Up with Central Coast Trailrides

    Untouched and sweeping, the mountainous scenery and deep valleys of Santa Margarita near Paso Robles are just begging to be explored. So saddle up for a scenic adventure with Central Coast Trailrides (CCT) at the 14,000-acre Santa Margarita Ranch.

    View
  2. A woman on a hiking trail with huge open space and yellow flowers around her at Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks

    Going Wildwood

    Consider this your invitation to get a little untamed. In just one walk through Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks, you can chase the sound of a cascading waterfall, duck into a shadowy cave, and soak in big hillside vistas. The mostly flat 4.25-mile loop makes wild feel wonderfully accessible.

    View
  3. Two people fly fishing on the Truckee River with guides from Reno Fly Shop

    Zen and the Art of Fly Fishing

    Learning to fly fish is one of the most fun and beautiful ways to connect with nature, family, friends, and yourself. It’s also a great way to truly experience the magic of a place. Make that place Reno Tahoe, where a fly fishing adventure with Reno Fly Shop is like being planted in a plein air painting of dreamy outdoors.

    View
  4. A woman on the overlook deck overlooking the Truckee River at Oxbow Nature Study Area in Reno

    This Way to Oxbow and Dickerson Road

    Just west of downtown Reno—tucked right alongside the Truckee River—is a nature haven for wildlife spotting and waterside relaxing. The 22-acre Oxbow Nature Study Area is ideal for those seeking solitude and a short hike. Afterwards, explore the creative hub of Dickerson Road.

    View