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Coyote Hills Regional Park

Coyote Hills Regional Park

Coyote Hills Regional Park
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About The Park

Coyote Hills Regional Park was dedicated to public use in 1967. Comprised of nearly 978 acres of marshland and rolling grassland covered hills, this busy park is located along the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay, northwest of the cities of Fremont and Newark. The most popular visitor activities by far are bicycling, walking, bird watching, jogging, nature exploration, and picnicking. Well used every season of the year, spring, summer, and fall tend to be the most popular. But the park's winter beauty is wonderful to behold. Back to top

History

The East Bay area's original inhabitants were the ancestors of the Ohlone Indians, hunters and gatherers whose skills enabled them to live well off the land's natural bounty. In those days, tule elk roamed the land, condors soared overhead, and sea otters and fish were abundant in the Bay. At Coyote Hills Regional Park, some of this rich wetland is preserved, along with 2,000-year old Tuibun Ohlone Indian shellmound sites with fascinating archaeological resources.

The park's rich and varied history also includes Mission and settler ranching and farming activities, salt production, a duck hunting club, a dairy, rock quarrying, a military NIKE missile site, and a biosonar research facility. Now a Regional Park, this area is preserved for recreation, and educational and nature experiences for all to enjoy. Back to top

Park Features

Visitor Center

Coyote Hills Visitor Center contains educational displays and exhibits as well as the Possum's Pocket Nature Store. The exhibits portray the Ohlone way of life, and include a tule reed boat constructed by park staff and volunteers using Native American methods. Other exhibits cover the park’s natural history and wildlife. The visitor center is open Tuesdays through Sundays 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., but is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Back to top

Native American Archaeological Sites

Programs at the main shellmound site allow visitors to see a reconstructed tule house, shade shelter, pit house, and sweat lodge. Frequent school group programs are offered at the site and several public programs are scheduled as well. Public access to the site is by reservation only. Call the visitor center at (510) 795-9385 for information. Back to top

Nectar Garden

A bird and butterfly nectar garden is located adjacent to the visitor center. Currently the garden is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm. Several naturalist-led educational programs are offered in the garden during the year. Contact the interpretive staff at (510) 795-9385 for additional information. Back to top

Picnic Areas

The park offers two first-come-first-served picnic areas. One located at the visitor center, the other at the Quarry Staging Area. Both have picnic tables, barbeque braziers, water, and shade. A reservable group picnic area is also available at Hoot Hollow. Back to top

Group Camps

One reservable group camping site is available at Dairy Glen. Picnic tables, braziers, a campfire ring, water and shade are available. Chemical toilets are also provided. Back to top

Wildlife Refuge

The waters to the west and south of Coyote Hills are part of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Shoreline, No Name, Apay Way and Alameda Creek trails provide access to the Refuge for hikers and bicycle riders. Apay Way leads to the Refuge Visitor Center via a bridge over the top of the Highway 84/Dumbarton Bridge toll booths. Back to top

Alameda Creek Trail

This 12-mile trail stretches from the Bay east to the mouth of Niles Canyon, and borders Coyote Hills on the park's north side. It is actually two parallel trails, with an equestrian trail on the northern levee and a bicycle trail on the southern levee, connecting with the Coyote Hills' Bay View bike trail. Hikers are welcome on both trails. Motor vehicles are not permitted on the trails--citations will be issued to violators. Back to top

Other attractions at Coyote Hills include the Marsh Boardwalk, and 3.5-mile Bay View Trail, a paved loop trail for hiking and bicycle riding. There are scenic views of the South Bay from the park's hilltops. Back to top

Park Activities

Naturalist Programs

The park's naturalist staff conducts a variety of programs for both organized groups and the public. Programs are offered on a variety of subjects including, Native American history and culture, birds and butterflies, marsh and grassland ecology, and general nature exploration. Public programs, usually on weekends, are publicized in the Park District's monthly newsletter, Regional In Nature, which is available in the visitor center and posted on park bulletin boards. Weekday programs are available for schools and organized groups by reservation. Call (510) 795-9385 for further information.

For detailed description of the Coyote Hills Naturalist Programs, click here. Back to top

Nature Study

In addition to taking part in the naturalist programs publicized on park bulletin boards and in the Park District's monthly newsletter, you may want to strike out on your own. Bringing along a magnifying glass, camera, a pair of binoculars, and maybe a sketch book will help to enhance your experience. Remember to wear sturdy walking shoes and bring liquids and a snack. Information about what to see and where to go is available in the visitor center. Back to top

Picnicking

Numerous picnic tables are located at the visitor center and at the Quarry Staging Area on a first-come-first-served basis. Cooking fires are limited to the metal braziers provided at each site. The Hoot Hollow picnic area, located above and behind the visitor center, is a reservable group picnic site. Telephone 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757 (press option 2, then 1) for further information. Back to top

Camping

The Dairy Glen reservable group campsite is available for overnight camping through the Park District's Reservations office. Call 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757 (press option 2, then 1) for reservations. All reservations must be made at least 14 days in advance. Back to top

Hiking

Hikes through Coyote Hills afford scenic vistas of San Francisco Bay and surrounding areas of Southern Alameda County. Ramble 'round a marsh or climb to the top of Red Hill to catch the breeze. For detailed information on trail lengths and terrain, see the park map or talk with staff in the visitor center. Other attractions of interest include the Marsh Boardwalk and the 3.5-mile Bayview Trail, a paved loop trail for hiking and bicycle riding. There are wonderful scenic views of San Francisco Bay and the peninsula hills to the west from the park's hilltops. Back to top

Bicycling

Bike riders may take the 3.5-mile paved Bayview Trail within the park. Bayview connects with 12 additional miles of trail along the south levee of the Alameda Creek Trail, and to the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Back to top

ADA accessibility iconPark Accessibility

There are two disabled parking sites at the Visitor Center's parking lot. Both of the public restrooms at the Center have an accessible stall. Current drinking fountains are of the older style and work well for some, but not all wheelchair users. Both drinking fountains will be upgraded this summer. There is one wheelchair accessible chemical toilet in the Center's parking lot and one at the Quarry Staging Area. One of the drinking fountains in the Quarry parking lot is scheduled to be upgraded no latter than this fall.

Trail Accessibility Reports

Click here for public transit information. Back to top

To Reach The Park

Coyote Hills is at the west end of Patterson Ranch Road/Commerce Drive in Fremont. From I-880, take Highway 84 west, exit at Paseo Padre Parkway, turn right, and drive north about one mile. Turn left on Patterson Ranch Road. This is the park's entrance road and will take you to the picnic areas and visitor center. Parking fees may apply.

Click here for public transit information or call 511 (TDD/TTY: 1-800-448-9790) to confirm transit information. Back to top

Trail Map

Coyote Hills trail map

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Park Info

Address
8000 Patterson Ranch Road
Fremont, CA 94555
Download Brochure
Phone Number
Toll Free: 888-EBPARKS (888-327-2757), option 3, extension 4519
Local Weather
Maps
View Trail Map
Download PDF Map
Yahoo Map
Park Hours
April-October: 8 a.m to 8 p.m.
October-April: 8 a.m to 6 p.m.
Unless otherwise posted.
Park Events
Click here for upcoming events
Parking Fee
$5 per vehicle; $4 per trailered vehicle. Buses: $25/per bus.
Dog Fee
$2 per dog. Guide/service dogs free. Dogs must be leashed and under control at all times
Camping Reservations
1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2, then 1
Picnic Reservations
1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2, then 1
Naturalist Programs
510-795-9385
Browse programs online
Download program guide
Download program description
For Educators
Plan a field trip to this park
Emergency Number
911
EBRPD Headquarters
1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757
See Also
Alameda Creek Trail

Park Update

Trail Update
All trails are open.
Grazing Update
Grazing has ended for the year and the sheep herd has left.
Marsh Update
The winter of 2007/2008 left a significant amount of water in the overall marsh system as compared to the previous winter. But as the current drought conditions continue, rapid evaporation of the water is apparent. This is especially true in the South Marsh and the western and southern sections of the Main Marsh. There is still a fair amount of water in the North Marsh and the D.U.S.T. Marsh. Please do not walk into the dry marsh beds as this is still a viable and successful environment for native wildlife. The dry crust provides protection for a number of invertebrate and other aquatic species, which can patiently wait out a dry period until next winter's rains.
Bird and Other Wildlife
Our current nesting birds include nature's engineers: the barn swallow. Great horned owls and redtail hawks are also nesting, and while humans don¹t always like to see so many ground squirrels, the owls and hawks do. Coyote Hills staff has noted late- or second-brood nests of jays near the Red Hill area, and mockingbirds on the eastern edge of the park. Most of the marsh wrens, brewers, and red wing blackbirds have fledged. The ducklings and goslings are now tall, gangly teenagers. Keep an eye out for native weasels. They are beautiful to behold but they move quickly. The grey fox kits are doing well; please do not feed them. In the end, feeding will only harm them. If you see a large moth that flies like a hummingbird, then you have had the good fortune to come upon an amazing creature--the hummingbird moth.
Source URL:
http://www.ebparks.org/parks/coyote_hills