Coyote Hills Regional Park

The scenic entrance to Coyote Hills Regional Park seeps you into nature from the get-go. As you drive towards one of two parking lots, passing acres upon acres of wetlands on the way, the beauty and tranquility of the area is quickly apparent. Imagine golden hills in the distance, with raptors flying low overhead, and miles of grass-covered marshes hiding shorebirds of every size and stripe.

When you reach the Visitor Center, stroll the adjacent Nectar Garden to count the butterflies. Song birds are also attracted to the flowers in this quiet refuge, where picnic tables and benches give you a chance to reflect as you appreciate the delicate flutter of wings. Naturalist-led tours of the Nectar Garden are available if you want more footing on the plant and animal life in this nook of the park.

From here, it’s a tough decision. You can climb upward toward the peaks, where the panoramic views of the Bay are amazing, roam the foothills to catch one of several biking or hiking trails leading you deeper into the park, or explore the Marsh Boardwalk, which leads you through the waterways. Your hike can also encompass a little of all three.

Start with the boardwalk and the tule grass and cattail will be everywhere, and if you peer into the shallow water, you’ll find crayfish by the dozens, a favorite dish for the egrets and herons. One of the most highly rated bird-watching sanctuaries in the U.S., Coyote Hills is truly a birdwatcher’s paradise, stomping grounds for everything from mallard ducks and shovelers to pintails, pelicans, and pied-billed grebe.

On higher ground, see if you can spot a golden eagle, horn-billed owl, robin, or red-winged blackbird. Other wildlife here include ground squirrels, deer, lizards, and the gray fox. In addition to enjoying the sights and sounds of nature, Coyote Hills is a great place to brush up on regional history, with 2,000-year old Ohlone Indian shellmound sites and educational programs portraying the Ohlone way of life regularly available to visitors.

HelloSanFrancisco tip: Hiking can get you hungry! Don’t forget to bring your own snacks…there’s no café or snack bar on Coyote Hills premises.

- by Renee M. Rutledge, San Francisco Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Renee M. Rutledge

Renee M. Rutledge currently writes articles on local travel and culture for Red Tricycle, Parents' Press, Oakland Magazine, and Alameda Magazine.