Alviso Marina Park and Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge

Location

Alviso is a small town just North of Milpitas at the Southern tip of the San Francisco Bay. To get to the park, take the Gold Street Exit from Highway 237, following Gold Street East to the park. When Gold Street ends, turn left onto Elizabeth Street and right onto Hope Street to enter the park. The park has a large parking lot.

Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge is adjacent to and East of the park.

Attractions:

This park has been recently refurbished, and has a large parking lot, bathrooms, picnic area, viewing platforms, fine-gravel and paved paths, and benches.
Bicycles are allowed (except for on viewing platforms).
Dogs are allowed on leash only at the picnic area and in the parking lot.
The 9-mile trail that begins here, runs East past Alviso Slough and far into the bay. You'll feel like you could run / hike / bike all the way across the bay!
The railroad runs parallel to the 9-mile trail, and if you're lucky you can catch a view of the train at full speed.
Alviso feels like a sleepy fishing town that time forgot. Enjoy sights of the old cannery or houseboats on stilts, near the park, or the beautiful murals inside town.
This is a bird-lovers mecca. At sunset, the birds flock to the still pools here, by droves (similar to Hitchcock's "The Birds"). Birds include egrets, herons, sandpipers, sea gulls, ducks, pelicans, and dozens of other varieties.
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge begins just East of the park, and is a beautiful mid-bay habitat for birds.
The park is built on the site of the old marina, and uses the design of old docks (with framed gates) for its many boardwalks. Walk out on the boardwalk and be surrounded by reeds and birds - amazing! Boardwalks also have benches and placards.

Limitations:

The 9-mile trail is made of packed dirt (and some gravel). When it rains, it takes a while for the trail to dry and harden, meaning that traffic can pull up "divets", making for a bumpy ride. On the otherhand, if you hit the newly wet trail, it will be smooth!
Dogs are not allowed on the trails or boardwalks.

Season:

Year round, about 8 am to sunset. An on-sight park manager locks the gate 1/2 hour after sunset.

Fees:

None.

Maps & More Information:

A map is posted and brochures are available near the bathrooms.
Santa Clara County's Website with description and map of Alviso Marina County Park: http://www.sccgov.org/portal/site/parks/menuitem.244564f66e6d425580b558bb35cda429/?path=%2Fv7%2FParks+and+Recreation%2C+Department+of+(DEP)%2FFind+a+Park%2FAlviso+Marina
Santa Clara County's Map of Alviso Marina County Park: http://www.sccgov.org/SCC/docs%2FParks%20and%20Recreation%2C%20Department%20of%20%28DEP%29%2Fattachments%2FAlvisoGuideFinal.pdf
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Website: http://www.fws.gov/desfbay/

Handicapped Access:

The fine gravel and paved paths around the parking area are suitable for handicapped access. The 9-mile trail and trail farther into the Alviso Slough are wide and flat, but can become bumpy after rain (see limitations, above), but otherwise seem suitable for wheelchairs.

Recommended routes:

Alviso Slough Trail and Boardwalks:
From the bathroom / picnic area, walk Northeast along the paved path. The path turns left and quickly becomes dirt / gravel road, labelled as the Bay Trail. Follow the trail until the large observation deck, and turn left, to follow the edge of the slough on your right. Walk the path until the framed boardwalk, then turn left, returning to the parking area. When almost to the lot, turn left, spending time to check out each of the boardwalks. Total distance is a bit less than 1 mile.
9-mile Loop:
Begin at the restroom / picnic area and head Northeast along the paved path. The path turns left and quickly becomes a dirt/gravel road, labelled as the Bay Trail. The path passes a viewing platform, then a junction with the Alviso Slough Trail. Continue straight, as the trail becomes part of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Follow this path until you can turn left, following a levee dividing the salt ponds. There are two options for left turns, both yielding a hike of the same distance. Both trails merge eventually. At the next junction, turn left, following the edge of the bay on the right and the edge of the salt ponds on the left. The trail leads back into the park. Total distance is about 9 miles.
Not yet attempted: Hope Street Bay Trail to Refuge Education Center and back (4 miles) or as part of a loop into the Salt Ponds and back to the park (5.5 to 6.4 miles).