See and Do!
Garin/Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Parks
About The Park
This is Dry Creek and we bid you welcome.
Famed in the early 1880s for the spirit of gaiety that reigned here on festival days, guests poured in from the rural districts of the whole county to greet their friends and make merry.
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And so today, we pray you to maintain with us that holiday spirit; leave care and worry behind you; enjoy the beauties of nature here in your midst; and pause for a moment in your rush through life to give thanks to the great artist who painted this ever-changing picture of the hills and fields and streams.
--Edith Meyers, of the Meyers Ranch Family
Park Features
Garin Barn Visitor Center
The Garin Barn Visitor center is open weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is designed to aide in interpretive programs and for the enjoyment of the casual visitor. The Visitor Center displays artifacts from the ranching and farming history of the Hayward area. There is a blacksmith shop, a tool shop and several ranching-related displays to explore. An interesting collection of antique farm machinery outside the barn augments the display. Back to top
Dry Creek Garden
Dry Creek Cottage was a popular summer home of Edith, Mildred, and Jeanette Meyers, three sisters of Alameda who were very involved in local charities and fundraisers during the early and mid 1900s. The sisters also owned the 1,200-acre Dry Creek Ranch, which was donated to the Park District in 1979 and later opened as Dry Creek Regional Park. Upon the passing of the last surviving Meyers sister, the Dry Creek Cottage and its garden was also donated to the Park District. This beautifully restored garden and cottage sits at the end of May Road off Mission Boulevard in Hayward, and provide access to trails at the south end of Dry Creek Regional Park, which is adjacent to Garin Regional Park.
In addition to restoring the garden, pathways were rebuilt and footbridges were reconstructed over the creek, and a new parking area was built. The two-acre garden is home to nearly 200 native and exotic plants, with something in bloom just about every day of the year.
The Park District plans to eventually open the cottage for receptions, weddings, and similar events, and will also house a small visitor center inside.
The garden is open to the public Thursdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The parking lot is open all week until dusk, offering easy access to the park's southern trails. Back to top
Park Activities
Nature Study
Look around you and you will find two magnificent parkland areas-Garin and Dry Creek Pioneer regional parks. Independent nature study is encouraged here, so bring binoculars, a magnifying glass, field guides, camera, and be amazed with what you will discover. Guided interpretive programs for this area are coordinated through the Coyote Hills Regional Park Visitor Center in Fremont. For information, phone (510) 795-9385. Back to top
Garin Apple Festival
The spirit of Garin's orchards live on in the antique apple varieties cultivated in remnants of the old apple orchards. The late-summer Garin Apple Festival celebrates the farm's apple-growing tradition. Antique apple varieties grown in the orchards may be tasted in the flesh and as juice. Folk music, song and old-fashioned games fill out the day. Back to top
School Groups
Teachers or group leaders wishing to use the park with a naturalist guide, or those looking for curriculum guides for using the parklands, should contact Coyote Hills Regional Park at (510) 795-9385. Back to top
Picnicking
Several picnicking areas near the park entrance are available for use by families and larger groups. Hikers can carry picnic lunches in day packs and enjoy lunch along one of the many park trails.
There are four large group picnic areas at Garin: The Cattlemen's, Buttonwood and Ranchside areas each serve 100 people, and Pioneer serves 50. These areas have picnic tables and barbecue brazier units and may be reserved by phoning EBRPD Reservations at 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757 (press option 2, then 1) at least 14 days in advance of the planned event. Back to top
Hiking and Horseback Riding
The 20-mile system of trails within Garin and Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Parks give you the opportunity to explore the 4,763 acres that comprise these parklands. While the trails are not paved, many are suitable for bicycles. Please, no motorcycles. Back to top
Fishing
The Jordan Pond pier was constructed in 1987 by Park District crews using materials provided through the generosity of the Hayward, South Hayward and Mt. Eden Lions Clubs. Jordan Pond has naturally reproducing populations of largemouth bass, bluegill and sunfish. The Park District also plants channel catfish in the pond once or twice a year. Anglers aged 16 or older must have a state fishing license. Back to top
Park Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible restrooms are located in the restroom building by the Garin Barn and a wheelchair accessible chemical toilet is available near Jordan Pond. Accessible drinking fountains are located throughout the picnic area. The service roads around the meadows and picnic areas at Garin are wheelchair accessible and total between 1/4 and a 1/2 mile in length. Disabled parking stalls are located in the Garin parking lot.
Trail Accessibility Report
Dry Creek Trail: Download PDF format | Download Word format
To Reach The Park
Public Transit
Traveling by BART, come the the South Hayward Station and connect with AC Transit bus #21. Take #21 to its stop at the foot of Garin Avenue on Mission Boulevard. From there the park entrance is slightly less than one mile uphill (steep). From the Union City BART Station, take AC Transit bus #21 north to its stop at Tamarack Drive and Mission Boulevard. From there it is about one-third mile to the trailhead. If you are a confirmed bus rider coming from Oakland, take the AC Transit bus #82 to the Hayward BART station. Connect there with the #21 line to the Mission Boulevard and Garin Avenue stop.
Riders should call to confirm transit information.
BART: (510) 464-6000
AC Transit: 511 (www.transit.511.org)
Trail Map
Movie Clip
- Garin History and Features (duration: 1 min 20 sec)
This is a place holder for Garin movie clip.
You can also save this movie to your computer in QuickTime format. If you don't have QuickTime, you may download QuickTime here.
Download Movie Clip (5 MB QuickTime movie): Garin History and Features Back to top
Park Info
- Address
- 1320 Garin Avenue
Hayward, CA 94544 - Download Brochure
- Phone Numbers
- 510-582-2206
- Toll Free: 888-EBPARKS (888-327-2757), option 3, extension 4530
- Local Weather
Movie Clip- Maps
- View Trail Map
- Download PDF Map
- Yahoo Map
- Park Hours
- Open between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. unless otherwise posted or permitted.
- Dry Creek Garden Hours
- The garden is open to the public Thursdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Park Events
- Click here for upcoming events
- Parking Fee
- $5 per vehicle (when kiosk is attended); $4 per trailered vehicle. Buses: $25/per bus.
- Dog Fee
- $2 per dog. Guide/service dogs free
- Camping Reservations
- No reservable campgrounds
- Picnic Reservations
- 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2, then 1
- Emergency Number
- 911
- EBRPD Headquarters
- 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757
Park Update
- Trail Update
- All trails are currently open and most are slick and muddy during the rainy season. It is suggested that you wear good hiking boots that are easy to clean when your walk is finished.
- Grazing Update
- Cows and calves have returned to Garin Regional Park and steers to Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park. They will be in the parks until late spring of 2009. If you have a bad encounter with any of these animals, call the park office at 510-582-2206 to report the incident. Please be sure to leave your name and phone number for contact information. For more information on grazing in the Regional Parks, click on the link to Stewardship/Resources on the left side of this page.
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