Under A Half Hour From San Francisco Is California's Former Landfill That's Now A State Park With Coastal Vibes

Boasting 280 state park units, California makes it easy to get out and enjoy the outdoors. While some places seem almost destined to become protected parks, others have a much longer road to turn into places for all to enjoy. One beloved green space that almost experienced a much different fate is McLaughlin Eastshore State Park (officially McLaughlin Eastshore State Park State Seashore), a collection of waterfront plots running along San Francisco's East Bay shoreline.

Stretching 8.5 miles between Richmond and the Bay Bridge in Oakland, the park is less than 30 minutes outside of Downtown San Francisco, if traffic is being kind. It's the kind of place you might pass hundreds of times without fully exploring. From the waterfront, visitors can see the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, and the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, as well as the San Francisco skyline. Thanks to ongoing restoration projects, blackbirds, plovers, and finches have returned to the wetlands and meadows, offering birding opportunities.

Designated as a state park in 2002, much of the land itself was formed by construction waste dumped into the bay between the 1960s and 1980s. Adding to the dismal scene, landfills — including the Berkeley Dump — dotted the shore. An East Bay Regional Park District article remembers the area as "The Berkeley Flats," a muddy stretch filled with old cars, tires, and a decidedly bad smell. Despite the land's origins, developers in the 1980s fought hard to turn this prime bayfront location into two 18-story hotels. However, over the span of nearly five decades, local conservationists (spearheaded by Sylvia McLaughlin) campaigned hard and saved this stretch of the bay for the people.

In terms of things to do, McLaughlin Eastshore State Park is primarily a place to enjoy passive recreation and bay views. Visitors can walk, run, and bike along trails that follow the shoreline. The park's crowning jewel is a segment of the San Francisco Bay Trail, which currently spans over 350 of its planned 500 miles. Not to be confused with San Francisco's underrated Bay Area Ridge Trail, this path connects communities and green spaces around the bay and runs almost the entire length of McLaughlin Eastshore.

This section of the San Francisco Bay Trail reveals tidal marshes and passes areas currently under restoration. It also connects McLaughlin Eastshore with several other parks along the same stretch of bay, including Point Isabel Regional Shoreline, Cesar E. Chavez Park, and Emeryville Marina Park, giving visitors even more shoreline to explore. Besides the San Francisco Bay Trail, visitors can also explore several coastal paths on foot. These trails are very short and mostly wind through Berkeley Meadow and the bird preserve next to Albany Beach.

Some Google Maps contributors note that it's difficult to get down to the sand from the main trail, but the park boasts several named beaches with designated access points. For instance, 1,800-foot-long Albany Beach is popular among dog owners. Keep in mind that all dogs must respond to voice commands, and leashes are required on the trails, near beach entrances, and in parking lots.

As far as parks go, a visit to McLaughlin Eastshore State Park is straightforward; however, a few tips will make your trip easier. Open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., McLaughlin Eastshore is most beautiful at sunset, when golden light reflects off the water. There are six official access points, but frequent visitors on Google Maps prefer the parking lot at the end of University Avenue. From here, walkers can take in views of boats bobbing at the Berkeley Yacht Harbor or dig into a fried catfish sandwich at Seabreeze, a locally-loved hangout in Berkeley's most walkable destination.

East Bay Regional Park District reminds visitors to stay on paths and not to cut through areas under restoration. This is especially important because some zones have exposed rebar protruding from the earth. These jagged pieces of metal are a reminder of what the park used to be, but can also cause injury to animals or children playing. For another reclaimed space in the Bay Area, visit Saratoga Quarry Park, a once-thriving mine with peaceful trails and mountain views.