Images courtesy Melissa AveryBy Melissa Avery
Ride the wiggles out of kids and burn some calories at these great Bay Area parks with the help of Burley bike trailers. My kids love water, so all of these parks have a water feature where they can take breaks from riding to throw rocks in the water or enjoy watching the many species of birds in the area.
These rides are relatively flat enough for young riders to enjoy, and I have ridden with my children, who are all at different riding stages ranging from experienced to a Burley Bee–riding toddler. Load up those helmets, bikes and trailers and hit the trail with your family this summer.
| Related: Bike Camping with Kids |
EAST BAY: Alameda Creek Regional Trail, Fremont & Union City, CA
Take your family on a lovely ride along Alameda Creek that starts at the Alameda Creek Staging Area in the Niles District of Fremont, and heads 12 miles west to where Alameda Creek meets the San Francisco Bay. What’s great about this trail is the many convenient entry points throughout Union City and Fremont. Enjoy paved trails on the south side that also have access to Coyote Hills Regional Park or 12.4 miles (one-way) of dirt trails on the north side of Alameda Creek.
Getting There: Visit Alameda Creek Regional Trail
Burley Family Biking Suggestions: The north side is a dirt trail which is best suited for single-speed or mountain bikes. Road bikes or skinny tires not recommended. Start at the Alameda Creek Staging Area in Union City for an 8-mile round-trip flat ride to the San Francisco Bay. The south side of Alameda Creek is a paved trail perfect for all bikes, especially road bikes. Connect to from Bayview Trail (from Coyote Hills) to the end of Alameda Creek.
Park Facilities: Bathrooms and water can be found along the trail. No park fees.
EAST BAY: Coyote Hills Regional Park ? Fremont, CA
Coyote Hills Regional Park is truly a biking family’s playground. Whether you pedal along San Francisco Bay, bike through the marshes or attempting one of its steep hills, Coyote Hills is definitely worth multiple visits. Young children will enjoy the flat trails that connect the marshes, and older children will enjoy a ride along Bayview Trail by the bay. As mentioned above, Coyote Hills also connects to Alameda Creek Regional Trail, so if your family has enough energy ride out to the end of the spur.
Getting There: Visit Coyote Hills Regional Park for more details.
Burley Family Biking Suggestions: All bikes are suitable for Coyote Hills, but take note for trails with different purposes; paved, dirt, or hiking-only. For younger riders, bike from the dirt parking lot outside the park to the Visitor Center and back for a 3-mile round trip.
Park Facilities: Bathrooms and water are available at staging areas inside the park. Free if you bike in from the outside. Parking inside the park is $5.
SOUTH BAY: Fort Ord Dunes State Park Monterey Bay Coastal Trail – Marina, CA
Fort Ord Dunes State Park is less than 10 miles away from the more popular area of Cannery Row. Enjoy less crowded biking trails along Beach Range Road and the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail, once upon a time Southern Pacific railroad tracks. At the end of your ride, treat the family to the beach, a quick walk south from the parking lot.
Getting There: Visit Fort Ord Dunes State Park
Burley Family Biking Suggestions: All bikes are suitable. Take caution on a few steep areas not suitable for novice riders.
Park Facilities: Bathrooms available. No water and no parking fees.
PENINSULA: Crystal Springs Regional Trail, Sawyer Camp Trail – San Mateo, CA
Sawyer Camp Trail at Crystal Springs is the perfect trail for shady ride on a hot day! Great views of Crystal Springs Reservoir and the Santa Cruz Mountain range makes this is a very popular biking trail on the peninsula. After a mile the crowds dissipate, so make the ride to a 600 year-old Jepson Laurel tree, making a seven-mile round trip.
Getting There: Visit the County of San Mateo Parks Department Sawyer Camp. Trailhead parking is very limited, but street parking can be found nearby.
Burley Family Biking Suggestions: All types of bikes are suitable. This trail is easy for beginning riders but the north section after the Jepson Laurel tree might be too steep from younger riders.
Park Facilities: Bathrooms along the trail. No drinking water and no parking fees.
NORTH BAY: San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Tubbs Island Trailhead – Sonoma, CA
Want to get the kids away from the hustle and bustle of the city for real a biking adventure? Nestled in between Sears Point and the San Pablo Bay, riding on Lower Tubbs Island will make your family feel like they are biking through the grassy plains of the Midwest on this ride to San Pablo Bay. This park is very rustic with sandy, grassy, rocky trails so be ready to get dirty along the way.
Getting There: Visit the San Pablo Bay NWR website. Trailhead is just south of Hwy 37.
Burley Family Biking Suggestions: Mountain bikes are highly suggested, but single-speed bicycles can make the bumpy trek. Experienced children are more suited for this trail, but younger children can ride in a Burley bike trailer.
Park Facilities: No water or bathrooms. No parking fees.
For older kids, ready to get wheels of their own, check out our kids bike buying guide!
Melissa Avery is loving every moment of her outdoor family life and blogs about it at Chasqui Mom . She loves being an outdoor woman in all stages of her life and motherhood brought on a whole new aspect to her outdoor adventures. Melissa is a wife and mother to three children but you can find her on San Francisco Bay Area trails with her kids than at home. From hiking, backpacking, camping and more her family of five is always enjoying the outdoors, looking for new adventures.
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