Scenic Adventures | Alameda County Flood Control District

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Alameda Creek Regional Trail, Fremont

The Alameda Creek Regional Trailfollows along the banks of Alameda Creek and stretches 12 miles from Niles Canyon to the San Francisco Bay. From the Alameda Creek Trail, hikers have access to Coyote Hills Regional Park. Certain segments of the trail are also open for horseback riding and cycling. This trail is located on top of the levees that line the Alameda Creek Federal Project and doubles as an access road for the District to maintain the creek.

JMN0C3 Lifeguard station at Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area, an East Bay Regional Park in the San Francisco Bay Area town of Castro Valley, California, June 30, 2017.

JMN0JF Lake and lifeguard stations at Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area, an East Bay Regional Park in the San Francisco Bay Area town of Castro Valley, California, June 30, 2017.

Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area, Castro Valley

Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area, tucked away in the hills of Castro Valley, is the perfect spot to swim with family and friends on a hot summer day. East Bay Regional Park District manages a swimming lagoon and park adjacent to the District’s Cull Creek. The park is a great place for kids—with the right amount of shore for building sandcastles, an extended shallow area for those who aren’t ready to swim, and floating swim docks to jump off and into the cool lake. Outside of the water, Cull Canyon has plenty of shady areas for picnics and lounging, BBQ pits and fishing spots, and hiking trails that connect Cull Canyon to the Chabot-to-Garin Regional Trail. The District recently completed a major restoration project to modify the Cull Reservoir dam and return Cull Creek to its natural meandering channel. Cull Reservoir will hold some water during heavy rainstorms. On the off-season, though, the reservoir reverts to Cull Creek surrounded by open space and a lush meadow. Interested in visiting Cull Canyon Reservoir? Learn more!

Don Castro Regional Recreation Area, Hayward

The Don Castro Regional Recreation AreaDon Castro Regional Recreation Area is a 101-acre park that offers year-round fishing, picnic areas, and access to hiking trails like the Bay Area Ridge Trail and the Chabot-to-Garin Trail. The Park encompasses the District’s Don Castro Reservoir, which receives water from Eden Creek, Hollis Creek, Palomares Creek, and other unnamed streams and holds it before the water flows into San Lorenzo Creek. During the summertime, the adjacent swimming lagoon is open for swimming, complete with lifeguards on duty.

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Lake Elizabeth, Fremont

Lake Elizabeth in Fremont’s Central Park is the perfect park to spend time with friends and family. It’s one of the best spots in the East Bay for boating—they rent kayaks and boats throughout the year! This recreational reservoir also has fishing, play fields, picnicking, and a great dog park.

Lake Elizabeth provides flood protection by retaining stormwater flow from upstream hills then releasing water into downstream flood control channels at a measured rate.

Lake Merritt, Oakland

Located by Downtown Oakland between Lakeshore Drive and Grand Avenue, Lake Merritt is a true city landmark. The Lake is a destination for those looking to relax on the lawn or walk around the lake’s 3.5-mile perimeter.

The Lake is home to a variety of migratory and native birds, fish, clams, and even the occasional otter. Several flood control channels run into the lake, which is monitored by the District to control drainage.

Please note that Lake Merritt does not allow public swimming, but boats and kayaks available for rent on the Lakeside Drive (West) side of the lake.

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Annual Open House at Tule Ponds, Tyson Lagoon, Fremont

Thanks to the District’s Tule Ponds project, what used to be a polluted natural depression in a busy residential area is now a thriving wetland with a series of natural ponds. This area provides the growing neighborhood near the Fremont BART station with improved stormwater treatment and a new natural habitat for wildlife. Once a year, Tule Ponds opens its doors to the general public. Tours of the grounds are provided for visitors to learn about the ponds’ pollution and flood control properties and to view natural settings for native plants and wetland creatures. To schedule an educational trip to tule ponds or to participate in community service at this park, please visit teachers & students.

Sabercat Creek Trail, Fremont

Sabercat Creek Trail winds between the grassy, oak-dotted hills of Fremont. The trail is an important home to many natural species that are vital to the area’s ecosystem.

The District partnered with a coalition of city and park agencies to restore the unique two-mile Sabercat Creek Trail in Fremont. Sabercat Creek Trail runs through a former archaeological dig site where thousands of fossils dating back about 1.8 million years have been collected—including mammoths, saber-toothed cats, wolves, giant sloths, and cave bears.

Bank erosion was so severe along Sabercat Creek that parts of the creekside trail had crumbled. The District helped stabilize the creek banks, restore the trail, provide a picnic area, install a fence to keep out cattle, and plant native vegetation.

San Lorenzo Creek Trail, Hayward

San Lorenzo Creek is one of western Alameda County’s primary waterways. In 2005, the District undertook protective measures to stabilize creek banks and retaining walls along a stretch of the creek between Foothill Boulevard and Sixth Street in Hayward.

Today, visitors can walk along the trail located near City Center Drive in downtown Hayward. The trail includes staircases and overlooks; plenty of native plants; interpretive signs along the trail that tell the story of the area’s history and the importance of the creek as a flood control channel.

Castro Valley Creek Trail & Play Area, Castro Valley

Did you know the stretch of Castro Valley Creek near Norbridge Avenue and Redwood Road was once covered by an asphalt parking lot? This 900-foot trail next door to the Castro Valley Library is part of a larger project to provide effective flood protection in this area. This trail includes signs that explain the creek’s restoration, benches, a small amphitheater, and a playground built by the Hayward Area Recreation & Park District. To reserve The Castro Valley Library Creekside Amphitheater for a field trip, please contact the Castro Valley Library. This wonderful team of librarians and staff manage the Amphitheater.

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Hayward Regional Shoreline Park, Hayward

Spanning more than 1,800 acres just north of State Route 92, the Hayward Regional Shoreline Park consists of salt, fresh, and brackish water marshes; seasonal wetlands; and five miles of graveled public trails. It’s a beautiful expanse of shoreline used by hikers, bikers, bird-watchers, and picnickers. Several of the District’s flood control channels flow into or through the park. People holding a California state fishing license can fish from the levees except those located in marsh areas. Dogs are welcome to the park, but are not allowed south of Winton Avenue to protect nesting and feeding wildlife.

Eden Landing Ecological Reserve, Alameda County

As part of the  South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project — the largest salt pond restoration project on the west coast— a huge expanse of shoreline and former salt ponds just south of Route 92 is currently being restored. When complete, the project will restore 15,100 acres of industrial salt ponds to a rich mosaic of tidal wetlands and other habitats. Now, the Eden Landing Ecological Reserve is the perfect area to take a quiet, breezy stroll along the water and bird-watch.