Point Pinole

The Point Pinole Regional Shoreline Park is located on more than 2,300 acres of land next to the cities of Pinole, San Pablo and Richmond. The area is scenic and serene and hikers and campers come from all over the state to enjoy the park. Trails lead hikers through fields of wildflowers, eucalyptus forests and along the beaches of San Pablo Bay. Visitors enjoy views of the Marin shoreline, Mt. Tamalpais and the bay. The San Pablo Bay is frequented by shipping vessels and sailboats. The park opened to the public in 1973. It was originally owned by Bethlehem Steel but the state acquired the property following seven years of trying. Bethlehem had owned the property since the decade before and used the land for manufacturing dynamite and gunpowder. Visitors to the park find it filled with more than 100 species of birds and a variety of other wildlife. Birdwatchers frequent the pond, trail, meadow and grove areas in search of sightings. Other wildlife in the area includes Monarch butterflies, hawks, deer and owls. There are also a number of shorebirds near the beaches and salt marshes, as well as harvest mice. Visitors can enjoy fishing from the pier, biking, horseback riding or picnicking. There is a park shuttle bus that takes visitors to the pier. Anglers must obtain a license for shoreline fishing but none is needed for pier fishing. Fish species include bay rays, striped bass, perch, king fish, leopard shark and flounder.