In
brief:
This easy 8 mile hike requires a long out and back slog on levee roads,
but the reward is sublime bird watching and serenity on paths at the bay's
edge.
Distance, category, and difficulty:
This 8 mile partial loop hike is easy, but long. Trails are
flat.
Exposure:
Full sun.
Trail traffic:
Light.
Trail surfaces:
Wide dirt levees and narrow trails.
Hiking time:
3 hours.
Season:
Very hot in summer, but good anytime.
Getting there:
From US 101 in Marin County, exit CA 37. Drive about 7.5 miles east on CA
37, to the junction with 121. Continue east on CA 37 about 0.7 mile more,
then turn right into the preserve (there is no refuge sign, but the entrance
is just after a flurry of "no parking" signs along the side of
the road). Note: there is no access to the refuge from westbound CA 37.
If you're approaching that direction, you'll need to turn around at the
CA 121 junction and enter from the eastbound lane of CA 37.
GPS coordinates* for trailhead:
Latitude
38° 9'10.49"N
Longitude 122°26'9.73"W
(* based on Google Earth
data, shown as degrees, minutes, seconds)
Gas, food, and lodging:
Gas, restaurants, stores, and pay phones back in Novato. No camping.
Trailhead details:
Small paved lot. No parking or entrance fees. No designated handicapped
parking, and poor wheelchair access. No drinking water or restrooms. Maps
at an information signboard 2.5 miles into the refuge. There is no direct
public transportation to this trailhead. Note that hunting is permitted
in parts of this refuge, from September to February.
Rules:
Trails are open to hikers and cyclists during daylight hours. Dogs are not
permitted, except to accompany hunters during hunting season.
The Official Story:
Park office at Mare Island 707-562-3000
San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Map Choices:
• Map
from Sonoma Hiking Trails
Tubbs
Island in a nutshell -- a printable, text-only guide to the featured
hike.
Go to Bay Area Hiker Home page