Explore the best rated trails in San Rafael, CA. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Foss Creek SMART Pathway and Lincoln Hill Pathway. With more than 93 trails covering 740 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
The Park and Ride at the trailhead is now a homeless encampment. There is a park you could leave from, but it is also a homeless encampment. I could see a portion of the trail from the freeway but it looked like chopped up blacktop, very narrow and overgrown. Seemed like bollards blocked access to the little bridge. I have a three wheel bike and would not be able to traverse the trail. Could not determine of trail was open at the trail head.
Only rode a short section at Golden Gate Park. Trail is rough. Is wide but nothing great about it. Better to ride in Golden Gate Park.
We rented bikes and followed the bike map provided by the rental outfit. We rode on Washington Blvd through this area. It is a pleasant ride on a street through a residential area and golf course. Very little traffic. Saw a number of other bikers and walkers. Didn't see any trail signage for this trail. Although did see a trail parallel to the road at times but didn't see anyone on the trail. Think would really need to specifically look for the trail if intent on riding. The street was good.
I've mostly ridden the section between Hellyer Park and the Coyote Creek visitor center / Malaguerra Ave (great free parking). A superb ride with far less traffic than the Los Gatos trail. A couple of weeks ago I parked at the Tully Rd lot and took it south. I was a little creeped out about leaving my truck there and the number of homeless encampments from Tully south about a mile. I won't do that again. Another good parking place is the free dirt lot "Coyote Creek Trail Parking at Metcalf" on google maps.
If you're a fan of dedicated bike paths, and in the area, don't miss the opportunity to ride Lafayette-Moraga. Almost the entirety of the path is along a shaded corridor, gently curving back and forth, beautiful homes visible in wooded settings, quirky sections (e.g. a brief segment with many dozens of miniature bird houses hanging from trees), St. Mary's of Moraga's beautiful campus visible at one point.
I'd recommend starting from the Lafayette side. This trail is not flat: the out and back registered 600 vertical feet on Ride with GPS. Starting on the Lafayette side will result in about 5 miles of mildly climbing trail, a descent of about 2 miles at the far end, and then a somewhat steeper (but not steep) climb back to the summit. The last 4.75 miles of a round trip to Lafayette involves a swooping and delightful descent back to where you started. While the climbing is not negligible, it is well within the capabilities of even moderately fit riders.
My partner and I rode this trail on our tandem trike on a Wednesday, finding light to moderate foot and bike traffic. If you're family oriented, use caution with the younger riders, as on the downhill slopes some riders will be coming down in excess of the 15 mph speed limit.
Overall, a gem of a ride, scenic, interesting, and just enough of a challenge to feel that your heart and lungs benefited from a great day outside.
Took the Ferry to Larkspur and biked over the Bridge today to Point Richmond. Well maintained bike path, incline a bit challenging, so walked the bike for about one mile, I’m a novice and 67. Windy but views are worth it!
The trail start we approached was near impossible to find, very narrow and overgrown big time. Very disappointing. Turned around and got out of there at once. Went to our ‘go-to’ trail/hike Spring Lake. Still had a lovely time walking our go-to.
Riders and walkers be on ALERT!!!! Encountered two rattlesnakes on the trail but love all 44 miles of the trail. Great trail to disconnect from the urban concrete streets of San Jose. Oh yeah, nature at its BEST!!
Cool sights in wildlife. People here are snotty techies¿. No one says hello back. But ride is nice out to the bay
If you start from Oakleys Big Break until the End in Brentwood it’s about a 20 mile RT. Safe, nice sites.
Super smooth , road underpasses so no stopping for traffic, not very crowded, peace in an urban setting
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