Bay Bridge Trail – Bike & Pedestrian Path

Talk about a trail to nowhere. Even though I was aware of its incompleteness, I still wanted to give it a whirl. Damn is it a challenge pedaling up the bridge! It’s really not that enjoyable because it’s so freakin windy, and the cars on the bridge are idling or whizzin by you (both instances suck). I’m giving it 2 stars instead of 1, because it’s about to open up to Treasure Island, which will make the ride fun (I assume — although I’ve never been to Treasure Island, and I have no idea what is to be found on it). Maybe before I die you’ll be able to ride to SF.

Wow, super tough to navigate to due to the construction on Burma Road, which is the parking location near the bridge. Good thing I’m a former Bay Area resident and kinda knew where to go since GPS was trying to route me to Treasure Island only to U-​turn and come back. But … I found my way through the train tracks and eventually found a sign for the Bay Bridge trail. Then it was an easy drive to the parking lot.
I’m glad I did the walk although I don’t think it’s worth repeating. Why? It’s just plain loud once you’re parallel to the new bridge due to road traffic. Of course I expected the noise but thought I might be able to ignore it a bit. Didn’t work. I went on a Sunday afternoon and there were only a handful of other walkers/​bikers present. Maybe I saw 30 people total?
It’s about 2.6 miles each way to the turn around point. There’s decent views of Oakland and San Francisco from the walkway. I have to say it’s interesting to see the old bridge, that I drove over thousands of times, so close up and in such a state of destruction. The birds are digging living below the old bridge now that there’s no traffic!
Go and check it out. Definitely worth a one-​time walk.

There is free 5 hour parking (woohoo!) right by the entrance of the trail if you choose to begin at the intersection of Maritime St. x Burma St. in Oakland. There’s another entrance to the trail in Emeryville right by the Ikea. Starting in Emeryville adds an extra 1.5 miles to the journey. Since I’m not the most physically fit person, I opted to start in the Maritime entrance to spare some mercy on my legs and lungs. The distance from Maritime to the end of the trail is around 3.5 miles, so keep in mind that you will be getting a good 7 mile workout if you go all the way!
Like many have noted, the trail is seemingly on the wrong side of the bridge. You get a nice view of the ugly old bridge, but that doesn’t bother me too much. It’s still cool to be walking right next to all the traffic and the new bridge. Also be aware that there are no rest stops, so take care of your business and go to the bathroom before coming here!
I’m excited to see it reach all the way to Treasure Island one day, but for now it’s a good place to workout those legs!

This is a great walk but there are a few things you need to know:
(1) You will not get any sweeping vistas of the city, the bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Island, or any of those other postcard views. The path is on the southeast side of the bridge, so mostly what you will see is whatever remains of the old bridge, the Oakland skyline, and the East Bay hills. Why some genius put the path on that side of the bridge is beyond me. The cars get all the best views.
(2) The walk across the bridge from the Emeryville entrance point (which you will have to use when the parking lot is closed, as it often is, at the Oakland entrance) is about 10 miles round trip, more than half of which is walking along next to the freeway until you get to the toll plaza. (People refer to it as a 4-​mile path, but is 4.9 miles EACH WAY from Emeryville. I am posting a photo of the trail sign.)
(3) The only bathrooms are porta-​potties near the toll plaza. Remember, you will be walking 10 miles, which means you need to drink water. And when you drink water, you need to pee. Plan accordingly.
(4) Bring earplugs. The noise from the traffic, especially when you are on the actual bridge, is deafening.
Having whined about all of the above, I must say that I am not sorry I did it and I would do it again — with better planning.

The parking lot at Burma/​Maritime was closed/​locked up on a bright Saturday.
Was told I’d have to park over by Ikea, where there was no public parking either.
2 Hour of my life I will not being getting back.
Thanks,

Great place for a short bike ride! We parked near the Emeryville public market and biked over. About 8– 9 miles round trip. The trail begins in an industrial area, and it’s a gradual uphill slope on the bridge. I look forward to when the trail continues to Treasure Island!

One of my favorite little trails!
Not much to say since most of it is industrial so you’re by/​under the freeway but the views once you’re on the bridge are nice. The last time I went, a good part of the trail was blocked off due to the dismantling of the old bridge. Hopefully they open it back up in time.
If you park in the parking lot, it’s about 4 miles, I think I’ll be parking by Ikea from now on, I feel like I need a longer walk or more of a challenge.

A really nice path on the side of the eastern span Bay Bridge. I can’t wait until the finish the section to Yerba Buena Island so you also ride around there and Treasure Island. It’s a great place to ride of walk the bridge with great views of the bay and old bridge as long as it’s here.

I only write this for the scenery alone… hate the traffic etc of the Bay Area but every time I get across this bridge after the toll gates of course nothing but beauty and cool stuff to look at… it is very peaceful to see the ships out in the water or the golden gate either way it brings a portion of calmness to all the crazy people that drive through here.

We walked along this trail part of the way. It’s clean and there wasn’t a lot of foot traffic when we were there.
There’s a bike lane available.
There are porta-​potties but we didn’t use them so no idea what shape they were in. No water fountains though so bring your own.

Great way to get eight miles in! Nice to walk by the water and see the experience the bridge up close.
I agree it would be better if it was on the other side. It would be interesting to hear why that option wasn’t chosen.
There are porta-​potties, no drinking water. Bike lane available.

I’m glad a pedestrian and bike trail were added to the design of the new Bay Bridge. The Golden Gate bridge has had one from the beginning, and it gives you the ability to be up close and feel the weight and art in a way that just doesn’t kick in as you wiz by in your car (or creep as sometimes happens).
The trail won’t get you all the way to the island yet, they can’t do that until the old bridge is removed, but it’s still a good trip as far as it will go. I especially like watching the old bridge in various stages of deconstruction. After driving across the old span for so many years it’s almost surreal to be alongside it.
Once you are on the bridge itself the path is marked off into three sections. East and west bound bicycles and foot traffic. If you are on a bike be wary of the pedestrians, I’ve found they walk darn near anywhere and stop in clumps to look at the sights.
According to RunKeeper starting from the Maritime parking lot, going up to the end of the trail on the bridge, riding back along the trail and all the way to Ikea, and then turing around and going back to the parking lot is just about 9 miles. That’s a pleasant ride.
Just remember that this is a tall unprotected structure across a very cold waterway. Even on hot days the breeze can get quite cold. So layer up!

One of the most disappointing outings I can remember. They put the path on the wrong side of the bridge!!!
The entire pedestrian bike path leading up to the new Bay Bridge is surrounded on one side by 16 lanes of highway and on the other by barbed wire, CalTrans infrastructure and the industrial port of Oakland There isn’t even the birding allure of a garbage dump or wastewater treatment facility.
It’s kinda like walking/​biking along a busy highway through an industrial hellhole. No, wait, it’s not like that, it IS that.
And then, when you actually get on the bridge, you get a view of … Yes more of the port of Oakland! Woohoo! And you’ll get to see even more paved tarmac with idling diesel trucks once they remove the rusting hulk of the old bridge.
Why oh why didn’t they put this on the other side of the bridge??? You’d have the same highway noise/​air, but at least the north side of the approach to bridge is ringed with wide open salt marshes, so you’d get an expansive view of the whole northern half of the Bay, with Angel Island, Mt, Tam, and even the Golden Gate in the near distance, and you would have gotten close up views of lots of wildlife, especially at low tide.
Add this to the LONG list of tragic misuses of public funds, hopes, and dreams with this new bridge.
Can we get them to build another one, please? (Yeah right).

So a couple of days after the Napa quake, thought it was time to try the new, improved Bay Bridge via cycle.
There’s a route which starts at the IKEA in Emeryville but don’t park there; they hate it.
Either that or bring grandma to sit in the IKEA restaurant for an hour or so while you go cycling.
An easier alternative is the mall next door which costs $ 3 for 4 hours. (It’s got a large AMC sign on it)
Once you get going, the route is very well marked, taking you past some exciting looking industrial plants and whatnot.
They have made a lovely effort with planting mainly drought resistant plants along the route to beautify it.
According to the sign, it takes 3.5 hours round trip to walk it. We cycled, taking less than an hour for a leisurely jaunt. There are both dedicated walking and cycling lanes so don’t worry if walking, about getting hit by an errant cyclist, too much.
There is a bathroom or two about halfway of the 4 mile journey for those with excitable dispositions.
At approximately the 2 mile mark, the slope goes up continuously which is a slight effort for the casual cyclist.
You’ll know when you reach the end as there is a posted Guard and Gate. The views are good but, Madam, you are no Goldengate.
The freewheel down at the end is spectacular fun, especially on the day we went free of traffic. And at the end there’s the promise of those IKEA meatballs…

Oh my gosh I love the amazing view on this bridge. You get cars on the right (loud), the old bridge/​ocean to the left. And then further down you will get a close up amazing view of the bridge itself.
I don’t know how my boyfriend found the parking for this area, it’s probably through other Unilocalers but there’s this nice parking area for people who wants to bike/​walk up the bridge. It looks new and surrounded by a little gate so I trust it.
We went biking on one of the hottest days of the week. I was beginning to regret it when we got the the start of the bridge because the sun was pointing directly in our face so it was hard to even look up.
I was surprised the little trail leading up to the bridge was very nice with little flowers and bushes on the sides. Then we go past a guard and then up the bridge. I mean UP. It was steady incline all the way. To be honest it seemed bad because I haven’t biked in months and I am very out if shape but it is totally do-​able. We took breaks to take pictures. It was the best to make it to the end of that trail. We got an amazing view of the bridge (one of my favorite photos) and going back down made the trip worth it. Basically flying down. I felt like i was flying and it’s such a good feeling. I realized it wasn’t a bad day to go since I wasn’t freezing up on this bridge, and we had wind.
Also, remember to bring water and probably sunglasses on a nice day like when I went. Idk bout cold days, most likely gloves and a hoddie as well.
I definitely want to bike up and down here a few times for a real work out next time. Warning tho, the sign when we got to the bridge says it would take around 2 hours if you walk up there.

Hah !!! Finally 4 months after the Bike and Pedestrian Path opened to the public i was able to experience it. Weather was perfect for a nice Sunday walk. Getting there is easy. We parked at Burma Rd. parking lot where they have easy access to the entrance of the trail. Parking is free for 5 hrs. Before you can even get to the Bridge itself you will have to walk for about 2miles then another 2miles to walk to the Bridge. The path does not run through the entire bridge. It stops right before yerba buena /​treasure island. Probably couple more years before they can add the additional path. They need to clear the old bridge first before they can build the new path. There is another access point near the Ikea /​Emeryville area. I might try that path next time.
Ikea /​Emeryville to Maritime Path — 1.5 miles
Maritime to end of Path — 3.4 miles
It was indeed a very nice and relaxing walk (the noise from the cars crossing the bridge did not bother me) Amazing view of the new tower on the bridge. A lot of walkers and bikers of all ages. Although the rules said that skateboards are not allowed there are still people who does not follow. Benches are available for people who needs to take a rest. (2 benches per call box)
I would definitely walk again here. But make sure that you go to the bathroom first before you start your walk. There are no restrooms on the bridge path only the portable ones before you get on the bridge (which can be very dirty, smelly and filthy by the end of the day). Bring a bottle of water, use sunblock, and bring sunglasses with you.

Good place to go for a casual stroll on a nice day or an early morning run/​bike ride. You’ll definitely get your workout in for the day, since a round-​trip starting from Ikea is a little over 8 miles. That’s like doing a 10k and then some! We were sneaky and parked at Ikea, but that probably isn’t the best idea for avoiding tickets. We found out that there was free parking for the bay trail at Burma/​Ward Ave, so I’ll definitely make not of that for next time.
Some negatives — the smell from the wastewater treatment plant at the beginning of the trail isn’t the very pleasant. And it can get pretty loud with all the cars zooming by you. It’s also not a very wide trail, so beware of speedy bikers if you’re walking.
But! They have benches all along the trail in case you need a short break or want to take in the view more.

THE GOOD
* You can now walk (or bike or run) halfway across the new span of the Bay Bridge.
* The views as you walk are unique and photo-​worthy. I kept feeling like I was someplace other than the Bay Area (New York? Seattle?). There’s a point at which you see Yerba Buena Island, the old unused span of the Bay Bridge, the old in-​use span, the new span, and San Francisco. It’s trippy and cool and worth viewing.
* Free, easy parking beside the Bay Trail path in Oakland (Burma Street). Follow this trail straight to the bridge entrance (1.25 miles).
* Benches, should you wish to sit a while.
THE NOT SO GOOD
* The path is LOUD. There’s a ton of cars racing by and you won’t forget it. You might even get a splitting headache as a result. Oddly, the sound level seems more manageable when you reach the portion of the span with the bridge cables. It’s much nicer once that happens.
* The path isn’t very wide. There’s a lane for inbound bikers, a lane for outbound bikers, and a lane for all pedestrians. The pedestrian lane is just big enough for 2 people to walk in side by side but not if you both walk with your hands on your hips and not if your dog wants to walk beside you both.
* There’s no restrooms on the path. There’s some port-​a-​potties on the trail before you reach the bridge. Use them.
* Your dog might not adore this path. There’s the noise thing but also no trees, bushes, or plants.
* No skating, no skateboarding, no motorized bikes.
* The path has a closing time. Plan accordingly. You can be ticketed if you’re not off the path by closing time.
* No suicide barrier. I honestly don’t know which category this observation belongs in.
ACCESS
The Bay Bridge Trail is accessible via the Bay Trail from Emeryville and Oakland. Beginning in Emeryville adds one mile each way to your journey, resulting in an 8+ mile round-​trip hike. Parking in Oakland shaves off 2 miles.
There’s a designated «Bay Trail Parking» area beside the Bay Trail on Burma Road in Oakland. The parking area is easy to get to, free, and seemed safe. Signs directing you to the bridge are well placed and clearly marked.
The path stops short of Yerba Buena Island and, from there, you turn around and retrace your steps. Signs posted at the beginning of the path say it’s 2.4 miles in each direction and takes about 2 hours to walk to the end and back. Those signs proved accurate.
MISCELLANY
As you walk, ponder all of the possible uses for the old Bay Bridge span: A bay area High Line perhaps?

For me, this is a 1&done journey. It’s interesting and worth doing but I won’t be doing it again, on foot, until I can walk the length of the bridge into the City. When it goes all the way into SF I imagine it’ll have a horde of bicycle commuters. Here’s hoping they widen the next portion of the path they open.

Finally tried out the Bay Bridge Trail on the Bike/​Ped Path. We started at the Ikea parking lot & I guess we were lucky to not get a ticket like another Unilocaler mentioned. We did hike to where others are parked closer so you don’t have to hike/​bike as far & seems safe to park there for FREE: Burma Rd & Wake Ave, Oakland.
It’s 4.1 mile each way from Ikea to the turn around point of the Bay Bridge Bike/​Ped Trail. No Island Access to Yerba Buena Island/​Treasure Island until Summer 2015!
You walk past some graffiti, then the EBMUD Wasterwater Facility (Sewage Plant if you didn’t know), you’ll pass 8 pit toilets/​2 washing hands setup just behind heading to the Trailhead of the Bay Bridge. There is Ped Trail on the Right, but on the Bay Bridge it’s just 1 lane on the Left; 2 lanes for the Bikes. Lots of people don’t follow the signs though, so bikes have to go around I guess.
On the Bridge there is No Water & Bathrooms so use it before heading on it. It’s a bit noisy, but not as bad as the Golden Gate Bridge. Bring earplugs if you want. You’ll see the old Bay Bridge & the new span of the Bay Bridge. Pretty nice.
We got to see some Cormorants– one was even drying off his wings, and 1 dragonfly I got to take lots of pics of & it was still alive when i was doing so. Nice, I never get pics of dragonfly so I was very happy.
Worth checking out if you like walking/​running/​biking on a flat trail.
Total mileage 8.2 miles from Ikea.
Best FREE parking: Burma Rd & Wake Ave, Oakland. Parking at Ikea at your own risk! Bay Street Parking — You gotta pay to park there.

YEEEEEAAAAA I finally ran the new span of the bay bridge!!!
**AMAZING/​THERAPEUTIC**
How many miles did I run? 8.12
Starting from Ikea one way it’s 4.05 miles and the turn about = 8.12 according to the Nike app. LOL
Would I do it again? Hell ya!!!
Tips-​Go early, before it get’s too crowded.
We started around 745a and ran all the way to the end, if you are not a runner you can always ride your bike or just walk it. Be aware of bikers, you may get run into! Where to park? Inside the lot of Bay street, do not park at IKEA-​you will get a ticket!!!
CHP in full effect BTW!!!
–Toodles