Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline

• About The Park
• Park Features
• Park Activities
• Park Accessibility
• To Reach The Park
• Trail Map

The boat launches at Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline are closed due to an oil spill that occurred 2.5 miles south of the Bay Bridge Friday, October 30, but the park is open. More information.

Temporary Closure Notice

A half mile segment of trail at the north end of Martin Luther King Shoreline Park known as the Tidewater area will be closed from July 20, 2009 until November 2010 as the for construction of the Tidewater Aquatic Center. The park section closed is from Tidewater Avenue to the East Creek Bridge which includes the trail, parking, turf area and restrooms. The bridge across East Creek Slough and the Damon Marsh Trail will remain open as will the rest of the shoreline park.

About The Park

Next to the commercial bustle of Oakland International Airport is a 741-acre park leased from the Port of Oakland, protecting the remainder of a once-extensive marshland at San Leandro Bay

At the intersection of Doolittle Drive and Swan Way is the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Grove, completed with community support and dedicated in 1993. The grove consists of a group of trees surrounding a grassy glade. There is also a brick wall inscribed with donors' names.

The 50-acre Arrowhead Marsh is a stopover on the Pacific Flyway and is part of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network--dogs must be on-leash at all times.

Roger Berry's sculpture "Duplex Cone" traces the sun's summer and winter solstice paths through the sky.

Another part of San Leandro Bay is accessible from a parking lot at the north end of Edgewater Drive. Garretson Point is named in honor of the late Fred Garretson, a Tribune reporter whose stories inspired successful efforts at bayland preservation. Access to Damon Marsh is from Oakport Drive in Oakland.  

Park Features

Shoreline Center

This indoor/outdoor facility is popular for corporate events, weddings, parties, etc. The setting is casual with beautiful views of the bay and a variety of shorebirds. It accommodates 60 seated or 125 standing guests. It features a commercial kitchen, a main room, and a large outdoor deck. Catering is available. For more information call 1- 888-EBPARKS OR 1-888-327-2757, press option 2, then 2.

This facility is wheelchair accessible.

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Park Activities

Picnicking

Several other picnic areas are reached by way of a park road leading north from Swan Way. At the road's end is Arrowhead Marsh picnic area, with one of the largest turfgrass playing fields in the District. Next to the picnic area is an observation platform with a wheelchair access ramp, and a children's play area.

Birdwatching

Have breakfast with the birds at Doolittle Pond or observe their fascinating daylight antics from many San Leandro Bay perspectives. Hike along the trail from Hegenberger Road along the San Leandro Creek Channel to Arrowhead Marsh, or enter the park from the north end of Edgewater Drive.

Hiking and Bicycling

Throughout the 741-acre Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline there are paved trails suitable for hiking, bicycling, running and jogging. Along the trail on the east side of the park there is an exercise course. Glimpses of the changing sunset are best caught at Arrowhead Marsh and Garretson Point.

Fishing

State Fish and Game rules apply at San Leandro Bay. A California State Fishing License is required for those 16 years and older when fishing from shore in open bay waters. For additional information on fishing in the District, visit the Fishing section of this site.

Sunbathing

Off Doolittle Drive a mile north of Hegenberger Road is Doolittle Beach. Facilities there include picnic areas with barbecues and a boat launch ramp. Swimming is not allowed. 

Boat Launching

A two-lane boat launch is located at the south parking lot along Doolittle Drive. There is no boat launch fee. Motorized boats and hovercraft are not allowed in marshland areas. Motorized vessels are restricted during certain times of the year due to bird migration and nesting in the marshes. For more boating and sailing information, visit the Boating and Sailing page.

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Park Accessibility

Wheelchair access in the park includes parking, curb cuts, paved trails, fishing access, restrooms, drinking fountains, and a marsh overlook platform. The Shoreline Center is wheelchair accessible.

Trail Accessibility Report

Arrowhead Marsh Trail: Download PDF format | Download Word format

To Reach The Park

From I-880 in Oakland, exit at Hegenberger Road and head west. Turn right onto Doolittle Drive (Hwy. 61) and right again onto Swan Way. You will then turn left into the park for access to trails, a large grassy play area, reservable picnic areas, and a boardwalk out to the Arrowhead Marsh. Continuing on Doolittle Drive will bring you to a boat ramp, reservable picnic areas, and fishing piers.

Public Transit

Call 511 (TDD/TTY: 1-800-448-9790) or visit www.transit.511.org to confirm transit information.

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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Park Info

Address

Doolittle Dr. & Swan Way
Oakland, CA

Download Brochure

Phone Numbers

510-562-1373

Toll Free: 888-EBPARKS (888-327-2757), option 3, extension 4541

Local Weather

Weather Forecast

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

Park Events

Click here for upcoming events

Parking Fee

No fee
Parking for major sporting and Coliseum events: $10-$20/vehicle

Dog Fee

No fee. Leash required in marsh area

Camping Reservations

No reservable campgrounds

Picnic Reservations

1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2, then 1

Shoreline Center Rental Info

1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2, then 2

Emergency Number

911

EBRPD Headquarters

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