Ryder, Seal Point, Harborview, and Coyote Point Parks
Enjoy these several modern parks peppering the Bay Trail with playgrounds, boat and windsurfing launches, and interactive art sculptures.
- Attractions
- The trails are wide, flat, and meticulously maintained.
- Bicycles are allowed.
- Dogs are allowed, and there is a dog park at Seal Point Park.
- There are wildflowers along some of the paths, as well as nicely landscaped areas closer to the park centers. Wildlife include sea gulls, herons, egrets, ducks, squirrels, and lizards.
- The path is part of The Bay Trail, leading North to Coyote Point Recreation Area, and South to Mariners Island Blvd in Foster City. Add on to the hike at the North or South end to make it a long trek.
- There is kayak and windsurfing access at Seal Point Park, and on windy days, the brightly colored sails are fun to watch.
- The huge jets approaching San Francisco Airport come in just high enough not too be too loud here, but low enough to impress!
- There is a fantastic round parking area at the peak of Seal Point Park, if you're up for the view, but not for a hike.
- Both parks have bathrooms, benches, lawns / grass areas, and gorgeous views of the bay.
- Ryder Park has a large play area for kids.
- There are placards along the trail to provide history or biology of the area.
- There are cool art sculptures in Seal Point, beginning with a cool nautical-inspired bridge between Seal Point and Ryder, including some kinetic sculptures that move in the wind (facing the bay), and a huge echo chamber on the top of the hill (stand inside and make some noise!).
- Limitations
It can get windy here, so dress in layers.
- Access
Both parks have handicapped parking and bathrooms. There is a specific handicapped access trail along the East side of the hill at Seal Point Park, but all trails are wide, flat, and mildly graded.
- Recommended Routes
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Both routes are part of the Bay Trail, with optional exploration of interactive kinetic and aural structures at Seal Point Park.