Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Great aesthetic and an awesome place to relax and sightsee! Took my graduation portraits here and absolutely loved them

Great place to go for a hike or jog or bike. There is the entrance where you can park and there you pay 5 dollars for parking and 5 dollars for each dog!!! If you drive further down you can get on other trails for free and still have great views and work out. Caution with your pets, we did 4 miles on the rocky terrain and 2 of my dogs ended up having cuts and lacerations on their paws. :(
I suggest you dont run them too much if they are not use to that kind of trail. My mainly walk around our home and local park. My husband had to carry our lab mix back because her paw was so raw.

On a beautiful Saturday afternoon we visited the park and it was mostly empty except for a few other visitors. I liked peacefulness of the trails; we were able to enjoy the birds sitting perched up in the trees, waddling across the trails, and building nests under the bridge. It’s a great place for a nature walk.

This is a pretty nice place to walk (just avoid going too close to the marshland trails since the salty smell can be strong and pungent). I often take my dogs walking there and encounter other dogs, most of which are well managed by their owners. There’s several trash cans but once you start the ascent to the very top, there’s no trashcans until you return to the building area, so if you bring a furry friend, be prepared to carry their droppings. Overall it’s a pretty nice place, abundant with squirrels and little lizards. I did happen to see ducks followed by little ducklings one time :) there’s some occasional litter and graffiti, but most of the people that frequent seem to treat the environment with care. I’ve seen little children enjoy the hike as well, and there’s some cool little cabins and an amphitheater that the kids can enjoy. Just beware of the occasional teenagers doing something weird in not so private places. Keep your excessive PDA away from the children please :)
The only thing I wish they would add is a trail on Thornton — Don Edwards is within walking distance for me, but I end up driving because there’s only a shoulder on the side of the road. The sidewalk from Jarvis/​Gateway and Thornton drop off and making reaching DE by bike or walking a feat amongst all the speeding cars. Making it a 3 way stop at the main DE entrance would be nice, too. Hmm.

Went here few months back with my wife. Nice place to take a stroll. Go up the hill to get great views of the hills and the open landscape. Enough parking available and its free for all my brown folks and others.
Take your camera to get some nice shots of the bay and swamp land. It was all dry when we went due to drought.
Good place to spend couple hours with your loved one.
Happy Strolling!

I love that this wildlife refuge is basically my backyard. Yet another thing in life I am so fortunate to have, the ability to enjoy the tranquility in the Bay Area, and just drive a mile away and be back in the hustle and bustle. Best of both worlds!
Now my regular spot for birdwatching, I get to see a ton of various birds. Herons, egrets, ducks, swallows, harriers, stilts … just to name a few for you bird-​nerds out there. Heard rumor about a flamingo that’s been spotted around here … obviously an escapee from a private collection or zoo, but haven’t seen him. Cool perk the last time we came out here, we stared at a fox just scratching away at his ear — and he couldn’t be bothered that we were gawking at him for 5 minutes. (Not once did we think about taking a picture of him since we were in total disbelief!)
Overall a great place that has become my regular hot spot to get away from the discord and din. Peace and quiet for hiking, birdwatching, meditating, right in the middle of it all!

If you have a love for nature and tranquility, this is the place to go!
The Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge extends down to South Fremont to San Jose. There are lots of trails for everyone to enjoy. Be sure to keep a look out for the wildlife. One of my favorite things to watch are the herons and the hawks. You might be able to see them snatch up a rodent or two! It’s quite fascinating!

Tidelands Trail (aka Newark Slough Trail) is the only trail that allows dogs.
Address to this location is:
2 Marshlands Rd, Fremont, CA 94 555
The address above is the Visitor Center Parking, but drive forward a little bit more and on the left there are more parking that will save you a few steps to the Tidelands Trail.
This trail has a lot of photo opportunity, so if you account for taking pictures and resting at the benches, it will take you max 1 hour. Otherwise, walking it shouldn’t take more than 30 mins. This is a loop with 2 bridges, so you can start by walking to the right or left at the start of the trail.
On a partly cloudy day, it’s really relaxing. On a sunny day, there are not a lot of shades so it could be hot.

HOLY COW! This place reeeeeks.
While waiting for my sister to finish work who works within a mile away, I discovered this place upon driving by a couple times dropping her off. So the adventurer I am on my vacation there, I decided to make a turn into the National Wildlife Refuge after seeing the sign. It was so unfamiliar to me that I just kept driving down pass the visitor center past the parking stalls and decided to drive all the way down overlooking the landfill and views.
Halfway through I turned around because I didn’t know where that unknown road lead me and went to park where other cars where parked. Discovering as I walked past signs that it was a place of trails. I wondered around and came upon different trail signs that people could hike at. I went down the bridge that overlooks the wetlands and wildlife animals.
I spotted a little cabin or outhouse that extended out from the bridge and from a far I saw a couple doing their sexual thing. Disgusting!!! How can anyone be able to commit such a thing in this hot weather let alone in public where people are passing by. Don’t you all have a house to do that at?! LOL. That totally killed the mood to go further. I turned around and walked up the other trail that overlooked a better view from above.
It seems like this is spot for people to come hiking or exercise with their friends and families or even walk dogs as I’ve seen a few in passing. I definitely wasn’t prepared for this as I came here with slippers and hiked up the first hill. Overall it was okay, the views were nice after you get past the smell of the wet marshall lands. There’s also educational pictures and descriptions of the wildlife animals as you walk around.

Superb location for hiking. No user fee other than periodic tax payments to «U.S. Treasury». Volunteers assist the limited paid staff.
Richard Nixon signed the Don Edwards SF Bay NWR into law in 1972. Two years later, Congressman Edwards sadly said «aye» that his committee had to impeach that President.
Edwards’ many accomplishments included his ability at his Town Hall meetings to tell the «gimme, gimme» questioners in a gentle way that the U.S. Treasury cannot do everything for everybody.
Sadly, however, Don Edwards passed to the great Refuge in the sky on Oct. 1, 2015, at the age of 100.
Visitor Center is open only limited hours. Restrooms are only porta style, and messy, except during limited Visitor Center hours. There’s a large parking lot at the base of the hill as well as some parking at the Visitor Center.
I have seen egrets, snowy egrets and great egrets, and once a fox having a very bushy tail in this refuge. There are the tracks of a fox in the concrete sidewalk near the entrance to the newer Visitor center.
Most hikers seem to travel down near the Slew (slough); we also like the Tidelands Trail all the way around near the base of the hill. Agave (as in tequila) plants have southern sun exposure at the south slope of the hill. There is a broad view of the southern Easy Bay, South Bay, and Peninsula from the top of the hill.
There are lots of benches at beautiful spots along the trails. For a small picnic snack,
1. one shaded picnic table at Visitor Center,
2. one picnic table overlooking the bay and Newark Slough under a tree along the trail which circles the hill,
3. a table at the very top of the hill, with that great view in all directions,
4. a table in a house by the bridge crossing the Slough, and
5. at least earlier, some tables inside a house at the bottom of the hill before you cross the Slough.
Near the winter solstice there are king tides. Arrive soon before high tide to see not only the slough but also the marsh filled with water. All the pickleweed will be covered, just barely, with mildly salty water. Stay an hour or two after high tide and the marsh will cease to be filled with water.
A benefit at Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge is that you may find peaceful tranquility. Near sunset is one of the those times with its own abundance of peaceful tranquility.
VIDEO DOES WORK!: Sunset at the Slough video: I uploaded a different video via a cell phone. The video can be viewed if you access Unilocal via the Android or iPhone app, but it is not visible in the website.

Perfect weather, some awesome views of the entire Bay Area and the bike paths are well maintained. (at least the Mt. Bike paths are. The Road Bike paths leave alot to be desired. Especially on your way over the Dumbarton!) A great place to have a little adventure!

Went on a short hike from Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge to Coyote Hills. FREE parking so it’s cool.
First parking lot is the new visitor center with 2 flush toilets. 2 Marshlands Rd. Visitor center is open Tues-​Sun 10 – 5, closed on all Federal Holidays. It’s small, you can get maps here.
2^nd parking lot is up the road on the Left, 1 Marshland Rd. That large building is Administrative Offices now, used to be in the 80s the main visitor center.
We walked on the road, then took Quarry Rd Trail, saw where they are going to build campsites. Walked over the Dumbo Bridge, continued on Bayshore Trail, walked around to the Coyote Hills VC, had lunch we brought, then back.
We did about 6 – 7 miles total.

Went to Don Edwards regional park for sunday morning hike. The hike is not as hard. So it’s a perfect place if you’re looking for an easy relaxing hike with great view looking at the dumbarton bridge and the city of fremont. This place is also dog friendly. Be prepare to wear jacket since it’s kind of windy here.

I had seen some pictures of this place online. I came here to shoot senior pictures for one of my friends, and we found the spot to be so perfect. It’s a hidden gem. I adore the red barn feel and the bridge. The windows with the view, it’s a sight out of a movie or a painting. I want to come back and spend more time here. I can’t wait to take more pictures here!

Love it here!!! Best place for a nice long walk or run!!! You have amazing fresh air and nature all around you! Can’t get any better!

Free parking, nice location, easy trails, feel safe, and great view of the bay. There is a information center here. We spent a great afternoon after the lunch. I’d love to come here often.
There are many kinds of birds here. Once I saw a mother pelican with baby pelicans swimming here. It was amazing.

I came here with a friend during a weekend in the afternoon, and it was pretty empty. There’s a couple of paths, and they are all very easy to walk on; it’s not much of a hike, but you do get to see the bay and the bridge. The trails are very short, and to be honest, it’s not really worth coming here unless you happen to be in the area. You could probably spend about an hour here and be satisfied with what you saw. The map is sort of confusing to understand, but it all seems to be in a loop so it’s not too bad. It’s not too interesting of a place.

Great Location. Lots of trails for walking. Great View of the Bay. Several spots to bring bring a lunch/​picnic and relax during your walk. On a clear day or a summer day the sunsets would be gorgeous from this location. It’s a beautiful little hidden gem.

Right near the Dumbarton Bridge be careful getting to and from there because a missed turn for 84 might mean you’re driving across the bay!
Beautiful place– free and ample parking, dogs allowed on leash on most of the trails. Big open space with the water, hills, and sunshine. Since its still late winter there wasn’t much wildlife or people. Had a nice afternoon stroll with my dog and the air was fresh and clean after the rain.
You can see the cars crossing the bridge over the distance but can barely hear them. I will be back!

Rustic beauty. :)
That is what comes to mind when I think of Don Edwards. It’s a lovely place that’s very nearby me and I always see it whenever I go on the Dumbarton Bridge since it’s next to each other.
I discovered this gem of a place few years ago whenever I modeled for a photoshoot during the summer time. Instantly fell in love with the adorable little red house and the bridge.
I’ve been back a few times to do sessions as a photographer and I absolutely enjoy it. It’s definitely great to have such a lovely place that’s so close.
It’s free to go in and do hiking (and biking too, I think). Plenty of parking spots in their lot or there’s a few spots along the side of the roadway. Watch for lots of buggies if you go during sunset or night time.
The times I’ve been there I didn’t really smell the rotten egg smell of the water like how it’s usually smells like when crossing Dumbarton Bridge.