Alameda Creek Regional Trail

• About The Trail
• History
• Trail Activities
• Mileage
• Trail Accessibility
• Responsible Trail-Use Rules
• To Reach The Trail
• Trail Map

About The Trail

Alameda Creek Regional Trail follows the banks of Alameda Creek in southern Alameda County from the mouth of Niles Canyon (in the Niles District of Fremont) westward to San Francisco Bay - a distance of 12 miles.

The trail on the south bank provides access to Coyote Hills Regional Park. An additional 3.5 mile loop trail making the run west from Niles Canyon along the trail, through Coyote Hills and back again, qualifies in distance for marathon runs. For those who want to clock shorter distances along the trail, markers have been installed at quarter mile intervals. (Mileages below.)

The trail is accessible from several thoroughfares in the Fremont, Union City and Newark areas. MOTOR VEHICLES ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE TRAIL.

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History

Alameda Creek is Alameda County's largest, and is home to a host of birds and other wildlife. Long ago its rushing waters provided a valuable resource for the Ohlone Indians who first settled in camps and villages along its banks. For information about Ohlone shellmound tours and Native American studies at Coyote Hills Regional Park, phone (510) 795-9385.

The area was visited and explored by members of five Spanish expeditions led by Ortega, Fages, de Anza and Amador between 1769 and 1795. Mission San Jose de Guadalupe, located near the intersection of Washington and Mission boulevards, was dedicated in 1797. The 30,000-acre mission thrived for 49 years until the Secularization Order liquidated mission lands in 1834.

After secularization, the mission acreage fell into private ownership. Corruption grew, and in 1846 the lands of Mission San Jose were sold by the governor for $12,000 to Juan Alvarado. This sale was declared fraudulent in 1858 in United States courts and the lands became part of public domain.

Alameda Creek was the boundary of the mission lands and the 17,000-acre Rancho Arroyo de la Alameda, granted to Jose de Jesus Vallejo. Construction of a flour mill near the mouth of Niles Canyon by Vallejo, plus the importance of the canyon as a passage through the hills, led to growth of a small town (today known as Niles) in the 1850s.

A favorable climate, excellent soils and a fast growing population helped agriculture to boom. Early roads led to landings where small ships would load grain and other foodstuffs for transport to market. Completion of the transcontinental Central Pacific railroad through Niles Canyon in 1869, and the Western Pacific in 1906, improved the situation for shipment of goods - a service that is still beneficial to the area.

Movie making came to the Niles district for a short stay during World War I, when the Essanay movie production company moved in. Charlie Chaplin, Ben Turpin, Gloria Swanson and others got their start in movies in Niles before the industry settled in Hollywood.

Quarrying for gravel was an early industry in this area and continues today. Another area set aside for Regional Park development along the creek is the Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area. The park has many water-oriented activities, including fishing, boating, swimming, and nature study.

The Alameda Creek Trail opened in January 1973. The project was funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, and the East Bay Regional Park District.

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Trail Activities

The south side trail is suggested for bicyclers, hikers, joggers and runners. The north side trail is designed for horseback riding as well. There is no direct access to Coyote Hills Regional Park from the north side of the creek. Bicyclists must wear a helmet and bicycles must be equipped with a bell to warn other trail users as you approach from behind.

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Mileage

North Side Equestrian Trail

South Side Bicycling, Hiking Trail

Trail Accessibility

Both north-side trail and south-side trail are wheelchair accessible. The south-side trail is paved and the north-side trail is unpaved.

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Responsible Trail-Use Rules

Multi-Use Trail

Safe multiple use of this and other multiple use trails requires everyone's cooperation. Each trail user is asked to exercise common courtesy. BICYCLES YIELD to horses and hikers. HIKERS YIELD to horses. Stay to the right of the trail except when passing. NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES are permitted on the trail, wheelchairs excepted.

Violations of any of the following may result in citation.

All Trail Users:

• Be safe, considerate and aware of your impact on the trail and other trail users.
• For everyone's safety, keep to the right. Proceed single file around blind curves.
• For your safety, headphones are not advised.
• Safety helmets are required by law for bicyclists under age 18, and are strongly recommended for all bicyclists and equestrians.
• Dogs must be on leash where posted, and under full verbal control elsewhere. Please clean up after your dog.

Bicycles:

• Bicycles are not permitted, either walked, ridden or carried, on trails marked "No Bicycles."
• Bicycles shall not be ridden at an unsafe speed, or greater than the posted speed limit. Be aware of how you are perceived by other trail users.
• Bells are required on bicycles on Park District trails.
• Bicycles always yield to pedestrians. Before passing, SLOW DOWN, ring bell and establish verbal contact.
• When approaching equestrians, call out, ring bell and STOP, whether you are seen or not. Ask for instructions on how to pass safely.
• On blind turns, SLOW DOWN, call out, ring bell and ride single file.

Pedestrians:

• Keep to the right when approached by others.
• Always yield to equestrians.
• Look behind and to both sides before changing course.

Equestrians:

• Keep your horse to the right or where safe when encountering other trail users.
• Communicate. Let other trail users know how to pass your horse safely.
• Please clean up after your horse on paved trails.

Trail conflicts or violations should be reported to the Trail Hotline at (510) 733-6991. For an immediate response, call (510) 881-1833. In case of emergency dial 9-1-1.

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To Reach The Trail

BART: (510) 464-6000
AC Transit: 511

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Trail Map

Click the map image below to see an enlarged version.

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'Full Expand' icon >

When the 'Actual Size' map is viewable, you can 'Click-Hold and Drag' the mouse button (left on a PC) to reposition the map, as desired.

'Single-Click' on the 'Enlarged' or 'Actual Size' map to return to the park page.

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Trail Info

Address

2250 Isherwood Way
Fremont, CA 94536

Download Brochure

Phone Numbers

510-790-2612

Toll Free: 888-EBPARKS (888-327-2757), option 3, extension 4501

Maps

View Trail Map

Download PDF Map

Yahoo Map

Hours

Unless otherwise posted or permitted, open between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Park Events

Click here for upcoming events

Parking Fee

None at staging areas

Dog Fee

No fee

Emergency Number

911

EBRPD Headquarters

1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757

See Also

Coyote Hills