Shoreline Parks

To unwind after work, a mere excursion through San Mateo County’s Shoreline Parks is effective. Visited on a Thursday after 5:30 pm, and I was thrilled that it wasn’t crowded. Not sure how crowded it gets on the weekends. There is ample parking and free entrance for sensational San Francisco Bay views. Park gates close by 8:30 pm, so be sure to GTFO by then.
The place amounts to two parts: Ryder Park and Seal Point Park. I only got the opportunity to tour Seal Point and it is already huge AF! I would have to dedicate a full day here to experience Shoreline Parks’ entirety. There are plenty of benches and prominent lookout points for those moments when you just want to sit/​stand still, to mull over why your thief of a coworker took a piece of Andes Chocolate Mint candy from your hidden container in the break room without asking for permission.
During your stroll, you’ll notice a few whimsical art pieces scattered around the park. Essentially, this park has an array of visual delights. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a sea lion!
There are hills and a long staircase that you may use for exercise. The park’s Bay Trail is a long stretch of a trail that wanders through natural and restored habitats. You’ll notice that the park is ideal for a variety of outdoor activities, such as moderate hiking, dog walking, biking, and running. The park is very accommodating to dogs, as there is a 3-​acre off-​leash dog park. In regards to the water, I noticed a few dudes fishing, and there was a crew kite boarding on the water.
Man, next time, I am totally bringing my Nike frees and my imaginary Siberian husky.

Maybe I came during an off time. Sunday around 5pm. It was easy to get to and plenty of parking but no one was around. We started down the path along the bay but as soon as we got near the water treatment plan, it smelled terrible. Not very impressed but will give it another shot sometime later. Saw a sealion, that was cool.

This stretch of park is HUUUUGE. You can practically have a full day here and not get to enjoy all that It offers (well maybe but if you do, I applaud you and want to get a trophy made just for you and all that hard work!!)
The park/​playground — very nice park with large open area to play ball with the kids. Includes a water feature to cool down in during those hot days. Very nicely laid out. My son loves the spider web looking jungle gym (very cute, I have not seen one like this elsewhere in the area). Parking for the park area is somewhat small but usu has at least a couple spots open (weekdays, during school hours… however there are larger more accommodating parking areas closer to the hiking trail area.)
Trail — so nice. Bonus is that it has multiple types of walking/​running/​riding trails… fitting the needs of all levels of physical fitness (now if they just supplied a pusher for me so that he/​she could roll me around, that would be awesome!) For ex, there is a trail that goes around the base of a good sized hill, and another that scales the hill for those looking for a good heart pumper. The views all along are beautiful as you can see the waters and enjoy the breezes. Also great for catching sunsets! Tres magnificent!
Picnic area– it can accomodate quite a few families and is available for reservation. There is a large sloping structure that can provide a nice shade but it cant beat shade from a tree. ;)
Across the way is the dog park and what I have recently learned is an outdoor classroom, as well as kayak/​windsurfing ramp to get some water activities on.
All around you can enjoy the beauty of the shoreline… since its remodel many years ago, this place has skyrocketed into one of «the spots» to do anything your heart desires when in the san mateo area.

Great place to hike, walk around next to the water, there’s wonderful views and best of all it’s free!!!
An awesome place to come and relax and get away from the stress of the daily grind.

Free parking and no entrance fees.
Great place for kids to bike, run, and play in the playground.
It has a great view of the bay, SFO, bridges on both ends of the bay.
Definitely a place to hang out, or workout, or spending family time, or even fly a kite.

We just biked here and here are the sights we passed along the way: dog park, marina, golf course, San Mateo bridge and there’s a mini hill that you can go up to see fantastic views of the bay!

Came here to a bike ride and stop to enjoy the view and also see some action at the dog park. got it «action»? We have not been to the top of the hill but you can drive there if you decided not to bike or walk up. I believe parking is free at the dog park and there is a clean restroom. A playground for children, very good and clean place with smooth trail. What more can you ask for?

Bring a dog, kids, and binoculars. For dogs, the park features long-​distance ball-​chasing. For kids, there’s a playground with water sprays. And the binoculars can help you spot landing planes from around the world. (In just a few minutes, my nephews spotted KLM, Emirates, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Air New Zealand…).
My favorite spot: the wind pipe sculpture. Press your ear against it for a beautiful and occasionally hypnotic symphony.
The only downside is low tide, when the trail smells like dead fish.

Shoreline Park is one of San Mateo’s newest parks — comprised of two parts — Ryder Park and Seal Point Park — It offers an abundance of open space and scenic views of the San Francisco Bay. It’s kind of bare in terms of trees/​shade and kind of reminds me of Cesar Chavez Park in Berkeley.
I’ve been here twice and each time with different wives. And I really hope that this is the end of that pattern! In any event, it’s a great place to walk around, look at the views, watch the planes come into SFO, and maybe enjoy a picnic meal. There’s also some interesting art structures sprinkled around, a few of which accent the windy surroundings.

It is really nice place for distance run, I did a loop and it is about 8 miles.
The scenic jog route will be a reason you want to come back again and again. five thumb up.

jog walk jog walk ooooo scenery!
this place is awesome on a beautiful day!
if you don’t care for the planes towering above miles away then more ups to you! i think that this place does have to be one of the best parks that i have ever been to around the area. well for one its close to the water. i mean seriously who doesn’t like joggin by the water at like 3 in the afternoon? and then there are the doggies running around at the little dog park which is right next to the park too! the best part is running up the stairs to the top of the hill and taking in the panoramic view of the entire bay.
its breathtaking
metaphorically and physically speaking.
beautful walk. beautiful run. beautiful park.

Dog Park + beautiful walk/​run + park with water spouts + ice cream man that comes hourly.
Win!

I love coming here for workouts and taking in the views!
There is more than one path here and are on various different levels which are nice and flat which are good for Bikes and Strollers. I particularly like the path along the top of the mud mound which is great for the more adventurous trainer (like me) as you can use the steps or just one of the dirt paths to add some intensity to those runs!
And as it’s by the coast and you get a breeze off of the water it also doesn’t get too warm either.
It’s also a nice place to just come for a walk or cycle, which many people do, I cycle through here a lot myself going from Redwood Shores to Burlingame
The trails have a few informational spots and metal sculptures plus you get a good view of the planes coming into SFO if that’s what you’re into. At the far end next to what I believe is Ryder Park there’s a couple of Telescope things too and there is plenty of wildlife to spot.
There is a children’s play area here as well (Ryder Park, I believe) which looks great — Swings, Jungle Gym, Sand pit, Picnic area ect. It looks like a really nice place to come on a warm day. I have had to fight the urge to come here and go on swings mid workout though — It looks quite popular and is always people there and I wouldn’t want to look like some nut case playing in a children’s area!

I love these parks. this makes me glad to live around here. They got alot of spots that you can workout, bring kids, or just simply walk the distance.
Great Places!!!

Great area to run, walk or cycle– it’s part of the Bay Trail. Adjacent to Ryder Park, it’s also got a pretty big dog park (with areas for bigger dogs and smaller dogs), a decent hill with stairs running up the bay side of it, cool metal installations scattered about, a place at the top of the hill to hear the airport traffic coming in, and restroom facilities. I’ve seen tons of kite-​surfers, some wind-​surfers, and a few people on waverunners.
Some placards are around where you can read about the local flora & fauna, the history of the area, and the airplane traffic patterns (since SFO is so close by). It helps me appreciate the area and nature. :)
If I have one complaint, it’s only that on hot, sunny days, there is no tree cover or shade. I guess I’ll just go to Sawyer Camp Trail on those kinds of days. :)

Note: this review is only for Ryder Park.
I’ve been here quite a few times over the last couple of months and I have to say I like it. There’s lots of stuff for the kiddies to do, at pretty much any age. I haven’t been here yet when the big water fountain is on but it sounds awesome.

As others have mentioned, the parking lot is super tiny… and if you double park even only for a few minutes, those who take it upon themselves to be meter maids will call and report your car.

Rain or shine the stretch of Shoreline Parks is a treat, this is not like any other park that for a runner, cycler and even a walker where you’d find yourself going round and round a track or mini lake getting bored after 20 minutes. The trails go for a good distance and you are right alongside the Bay so there’s lots to keep your eyes occupied. I was surprised at how quiet it was even though the planes are continuously flying overhead.
The trails are clean and the people are very friendly. There’s flat paved pathways as well as sanded paths and a hillside over on Seal Point if you want a challenge for an incline or to run up and down steps for a warm up. If you have a pup, there’s a great dog park that’s right off of Seal Point too. Not as packed as other parks seem to be with cyclists so it’s fun for everyone.

This review is only about Ryder Park.
Ryder Park is awesome for tots. It’s new, it’s clean, and it’s well designed.
Sand pit. Check.
Bucket toddler swings. Check.
Small kid jungle gym. Check.
Geodesic dome with rope climbing. Check.
Recycled rubber surface. Check.
Green grassy knoll. Check.
Shaded picnic bench area. Check.
Water fountain play area. Check.
View of airplanes landing at SFO. Check.
Spin seats and other kidlet structures. Check.
This playground is small, but in the morning between 9 – 11 it was not crowded at all; it was around 11:15 — 11:30 pm that families started to pour in. Your best bet is morning or late afternoon around 5:15 pm. Note: the water fountain works only 11 – 5!
Bring extra clothes and plenty of towels for the fountain area!
The bad things about this park is that when it’s busy, the very small parking lot is full and you have to drive to adjacent Seal Point Park to find parking (meaning you have to haul your kid and gear on foot).
I sorely wish this park existed closer to home base.

Super Duper, GREAT, Awesome, *Fantasmic*… place for a run!
Why? Because it’s pretty freakin’ FLAT!
Also, the trail goes pretty far! If you’re up to it, you can probably run the entire Peninsula overlooking the Bay! Okay, don’t trust me on that, because I haven’t actually done it. I could be wrong, but there’s a chance I could be right. *whoopsies*
However, I know for sure, you can at least run from Redwood City on up to Millbrae… probably even Oyster Point! Okay, again, I’ve never actually ran this far, but I have eaten at restaurants in each of these towns where I can see the trail by the water! Ummmkay!
The truth is, I just started running again — after a 3 year break — and this is the PERFECT place to do it! Even though I do loads of cardio at the gym, nothing is as hard as running! Argh! So, this is a great place to recondition your body to run and/​or to start out without totally killing yourself. I did jog/​walk from Foster City to Burlingame and back. I did tackle the tiny little dirt hill in San Mateo. I do love seeing all the dogs jogging along the trail next to me.
What I liked and didn’t like is… where the hell are all the people??? I was getting a little spooked that there was hardly anyone on the trail on a beautiful weekend. I love that it’s a relatively clear path and not crowded, but at the same time it makes me a little paranoid. Yeah, I’m running with the bear spray.
Either way, it’s a great place for a walk/​run/​jog, and one of the few flat areas you’ll find in the Bay Area [that’s not a city street] to do it!

Perfect for ankle-​biters of all 3 persuasions.
It’s only 15 min. south on the 101, where we had a fantastic pic-​a-​nic!
1) KIDS
The picnic/​playground area is well-​designed and impeccably maintained. There are plenty of picnic tables and grassy space for the wee ones. Plus, sightlines are such that you can let ‘em off the leash to explore and develop their independence like we used to back in the day before the news had parents all FREAKED about cannibalistic hobos and whatnot. As a long-​time early childhood educator, I can honestly say to parents that micro-​manage their kids’ days from playdate-​to-​planned activity, «You are plain f*cking up.» Did you know there is such a thing as «NATURE DEFICIT DISORDER?» Keep on with the Palm Pilot and they’ll be drugged and sullen on a therapist’s couch by age 12. Get ‘em out here and set ‘em loose on that big hill to discover their own confidence. Mother nature is an awesome parent — and she takes no crap.
2) DOGS
Separate dogparks for large and small. There’s plenty of room to run and plastic bag dispensers are plentiful. Each entrance has a thoughtful double gate for un/​leashing. The rows of six fire hydrants at the western end of each was way more inviting than the restrooms at Supperclub, though not as rancidly social.
3) WILD ANIMALS!
The large hill is full of red-​winged blackbirds, territorially active and beautiful. Tons of bugs and beautiful wildflowers. Our friends’ way-​cool Cocker Spaniel, Buddy, even found me a new friend:
I was a like a kid again, and it kicked ass!