Benicia – Carquinez Strait Double Loop - 7.2 mi / 850 feet
Details
Join us on mid-week hike before the rain, for a double lollipop hike in Benicia from Glen Cove.
Let’s meet at 10:15 AM at the parking lot at the Glen Cove Waterfront Park, at the end of Whiteside Drive in Benicia. We will begin our hike at 10:30 sharp. The parking lot is small, but there should be plenty of parking along the adjacent roundabout, as well as along Whiteside Drive leading up to it.
Meeting location:
GPS: 38.06838723761505, -122.20770845217777
https://maps.app.goo.gl/FxzUhEhM2Dncs1Sw7
The route is shown in the AllTrails link below. It is mostly flat, with a few quiet street sections to walk along, as the dirt trail breaks up where the coastline isn’t passable. As we start out westward, there is one short climb (350 feet, over about ¾ mile) just before the Carquinez bridge overlook. We will have a short break there, at approximately the quarter point.
From there, we’ll make our way along a short trail above the bridge, to a neighborhood greenway, then turn through a wooded area before a short stretch back to the Glen Cove starting point. At that point, we’ll head eastward along the second lollipop section, along sections of the Bay Area Ridge Trail and the Benicia Bay Trail, with beautiful views of the Carquinez Strait and Southampton Bay. We’ll take another short break at the Forrest Deaner Native Plant Botanic Garden, then hook back to our cars at Glen Cove.
AllTrails:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/custom-route-b79a8e3?u=i&sh=5gvw8g
There are bathrooms at the Glen Cove Tennis Courts at about the midpoint,and again at the Botanic Garden at about the ¾ point. If you arrive a few minutes early, the Glen Gove Tennis courts bathroom is just up the road from our starting point – it’s along Glen Cove Parkway near the intersection with South Regatta Drive.
It’s not a particularly difficult hike, but it’s scenic, and we will move at a fairly quick pace. We should finish around 1:30, give or take.
Dress accordingly, including layering as needed. The route is mostly exposed – bring sunblock and/or hat. Be sure to have sturdy footwear – there could be some softer ground in the greenway sections. We will hike at about a 2.5 to 3 mi/hr pace. Bring a liter or two liters of water is recommended, and snacks as needed. The current forecast is overcast to mostly cloudy, temps in the mid-60’s to low 70’s.
Weather:
https://www.wunderground.com/forecast/us/ca/vallejo/KCAVALLE1267
Post Hike:
We’ll have an option to stop at Mare Island Brewing Company – First Street Taphouse, afterward for lunch and a refreshing drink:
https://www.mareislandbrewingco.com/first-street