Call of the Coyote

Hiking Coyote Hills Regional Park

Wild and scenic Coyote Hills Regional Park is probably best known for its birdlife—from hawks to herons, kestrels to kingfishers. But its 978 acres of marshland and grassy hills is also fringed with flowers now—wildflowers! Enjoy it all on a 5-mile loop hike. From the southeast corner of the visitor center parking lot, head into the marsh on Chochenyo Trail, lined with reeds and cattails.

Stay on Chochenyo Trail to loop around the fenced-off Tuibun Ohlone Village site and head back the way you came. A pair of rights gets you on the D.U.S.T. Trail, lined by purple thistles, and where the waterway teems with geese and ducks. At Alameda Creek Trail turn left and follow the paved path west to Red Hill Trail, which ascends into the low hills fronting the bay. This trail is fringed with sun cups, California poppies, and flowering fennel.

At the top, you’ll have spectacular 360-degree views that include San Francisco and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Turn left on Soaproot Trail and follow Bayview Trail back to the parking lot.

Coyote Hills Regional Park is located at 8000 Patterson Ranch Rd. in Fremont. The visitor center is at the west end of Patterson Ranch Rd. There’s a $5 parking fee. Find a trail map here. Note that seasonal rains can cause flooding on the marsh trails; check the status on the website or by calling the park supervisor at (510) 544-3217. No dogs.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Afternoon on the Island

    What is it about tiny islands in the middle of lakes? There’s something that just draws you in. It’s even more fun when getting there is half the adventure because you have to reach it by canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or a ranger-guided boat tour!

    View
  2. Golden Gate's Blue Heron

    Golden Gate Park’s Blue Heron Lake is home to birds of many feathers, turtles lounging on rocks, visitors from afar, and locals who love this urban oasis in San Francisco. Try the "Boats and Breakfast" rowboat or pedal boat deal.

    View
  3. Rio Del Mar-velous

    Rio Del Mar State Beach in Aptos might be one of the best places for a treasure hunt. Its location between two other beaches makes for a good stroll featuring a spectacle of wildlife as you search the sand for sea glass and seashells.

    View
  4. Aloha from California

    Say Aloha without leaving California with a 7-mile out-and-back hiking adventure to Lake Aloha in El Dorado National Forest. You can also camp here, a premier place for stargazing.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Gentle Giants

    Some people visit national parks to marvel at the iconic sights, while others come seeking solitude in nature. With visitation on the rise, it can be hard to find both. But in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, this pair of trails offers both....

    View
  2. Walking the Los Angeles River Trail Through Frogtown

    Frogtown Strutter’s Stroll

    Don’t go dismissing the Los Angeles River as merely a 51-mile concrete channel. It’s a genuine urban artery that links real neighborhoods, and its riverside bike/ped paths endear i

    View
  3. Griffith's Golden

    With over 4,200 acres and hundreds of trails, Griffith Park is the gold standard. Opt for the lesser-hiked northwestern end of the park and visit the 2.25-mile Skyline and Oak Canyon loop from Travel Town.

    View
  4. Sponsored

    Fall for It All in Reno Tahoe

    The best kind of getaway? Less time on logistics, more time on memory-making. Jackpot! You’ve got Reno Tahoe.

    View