Wheelchair FM Pp I-xiv, 1 - California

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Wheelchair FM pp i-xiv, 15/9/064:51 PMPage CVR-1AWheelchairRider’s GuideSan Francisco Bay and the Nearby CoastBONNIE LEWKOWICZA C OA S TA L C O N S E RVA N C Y B O O K

Wheelchair FM pp i-xiv, 15/9/064:52 PMPage iAWheelchairRider’s GuideSan Francisco Bay and the Nearby CoastBONNIE LEWKOWICZA C OA S TA L C O N S E RVA N C Y B O O K

Wheelchair FM pp i-xiv, 15/9/064:52 PMPage iiby calling510/286-1015 and also on the Coastal Conservancy website:www.scc.ca.govTHIS GUIDE IS AVAIL ABLE FREE OF C HARGEpublished this bookwith a grant from the Coastal Conservancy, a state agency that workswith others to protect and restore coastal resources and improvepublic access along the California coast and on San Francisco Bay.Since 1976, the Conservancy has helped to open hundreds of milesof shoreline to the public and to preserve more than 185,000 acresof wetlands, dunes, wildlife habitat, parks, and farmland. Many trailimprovements resulted from block grants from the Conservancy tothe Bay Trail Project.T H E C O A S TA L C O N S E R VA N C Y A S S O C I AT I O NThe Coastal Conservancy Association is a nonprofit organization whichassists the Conservancy with projects undertaken in keeping with themandate of the California Coastal Act.CoastalConservancy 2006 Coastal ConservancyA much smaller book with the same title, by Erick Mikiten, waspublished by the Coastal Conservancy in 1990.Coastal Conservancy Publications1330 Broadway, 11th Floor, Oakland, CA 94612510/286-1015A Wheelchair Rider’s Guide: Los Angeles andOrange County Coast, by Erick and Elisa Mikiten, published by Coastwalk with the Coastal Conservancy in 2001: www.coastwalk.orgor www.scc.ca.govAL SO AVAIL ABLE:and accuratein this guide, we cannot guarantee that we have always achieved ourgoal. Also keep in mind that trail conditions change. You are responsiblefor your own safety. Please exercise due caution. Neither the CoastalConservancy, the Coastal Conservancy Association, nor the producersof this book assume any liability for any injury or damage arising out of,or in connection with, any use of this book or the sites described in it.A LT H O U G H W E H A V E D O N E O U R B E S T T O B E C L E A R

Wheelchair FM pp i-xiv, 15/9/064:52 PMPage iiiTable of ContentsI N T R O D U C T I O N viiHOW TO USE THIS BOOKMarin Coastxi2P O I N T R E Y E S N AT I O N A L S E A S H O R EBear Valley 5Point Reyes Hostel 7Abbotts Lagoon 7Drakes Beach 8Lighthouse Visitor Center49G O L D E N G AT E N AT I O N A L R E C R E AT I O N A R E A ( G G N R A ) :FORT BAKER AND MARIN HEADL ANDS10Fort Baker 10H. Dana Bowers Vista Point 12Bay Trail and Battery Spencer 12Point Bonita Lighthouse and Bird Island Overlook 13Fort Barry, Fort Cronkhite, and Rodeo Beach 1416Muir Woods and Muir Beach 16Steep Ravine Environmental Cabins and Campground 18Stinson Beach 19GGNRA: MUIR WOODS TO S TINSON BEACHSan Mateo and Santa Cruz Coast2022Pacifica Municipal Pier and Sharp Park Beach 22Headlands Trail and Rockaway Beach 23Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel 24Pillar Point Harbor 26Half Moon Bay State Beach—Francis Beach 28Miramontes Point Trail 29PA C I F I C A A N D H A L F M O O N B AYC O W E L L R A N C H S TAT E B E A C H T O A Ñ O N U E V O30Cowell Ranch State Beach 30San Gregorio, Pomponio, and Pescadero State BeachesBean Hollow State Beach 3231iii

Wheelchair FM pp i-xiv, 1iv5/9/064:52 PMPage ivA WHEELCHAIR RIDER’S GUIDEPigeon Point State Historic Park and Lighthouse HostelAño Nuevo State Reserve 3335Natural Bridges State Beach and West Cliff DriveSanta Cruz Wharf and Boardwalk 3932N O R T H E R N S A N TA C R U Z C O U N T YSan Francisco and Northern Peninsula44Baker Beach 44China Beach 45Eagles Point 46Fort Miley and Point Lobos OverlookSutro Heights Park 47Cliff House 48Ocean Beach 50Fort Funston 513542SAN FRANCISCO COAS T46B AY S I D E S A N F R A N C I S C O :N O R T H E R N WAT E R F R O N T A N D A L C AT R A ZChina Basin to Pier 39 53Alcatraz 56Fisherman’s Wharf 58Aquatic Park 59Fort Mason 61Fisherman’s Wharf Hostel 63Marina Green and the Wave OrganCrissy Field 64Fort Point 67536369S AN FRANCISCO SOUTHERN B AY WATERFRONTIslais Creek 69Heron’s Head Park 70India Basin Shoreline Park 71Candlestick Point State Recreation Area71SOUTH S AN FRANCISCO AND NOR THERN S AN MATEO COUNT YBrisbane Marina 74Oyster Point Marina and Park 74San Bruno Point Park 75Bayfront Park 76Bayside Park and Burlingame Lagoon 77Anza Lagoon and Robert E. Wooley Peninsula ParkCoyote Point Recreation Area 80Coyote Point to the San Mateo Bridge 827973

Wheelchair FM pp i-xiv, 15/9/064:52 PMPage vTABLE OF CONTENT SSouth Bay Shore84S A N M AT E O B R I D G E T O S O U T H E R N B AY L A N D SFoster City 86Redwood Shores 89Bayfront Park 92Palo Alto Baylands Nature PreserveByxbee Park and Adobe Creek TrailShoreline at Mountain View 97Sunnyvale Baylands Park 101869497D O N E D WA R D S S A N F R A N C I S C O B AYN AT I O N A L W I L D L I F E R E F U G E102Environmental Education Center and Mallard Slough Loop Trail 103Visitor Center, Tidelands Loop Trail, and Newark Slough Trail 104COYO T E H I L L S R E G I O N A L PA R K A N D A L A M E DA C R E E K T R A I L106Coyote Hills Regional Park 106Alameda Creek Trail 110East Bay Shore112114Hayward Regional Shoreline Interpretive Center to West Winton AvenueWest Winton Avenue to Grant Avenue 115Grant Avenue to the San Leandro Marina 116San Leandro Marina and Park 117Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline 119H AY WA R D A N D S A N L E A N D R O120Bay Farm Island to Crown Beach 121Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach 122Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Shoreline 124Union Point Park to Jack London Square 127Jack London Square 129Lake Merritt 131Middle Harbor Shoreline Park 134Port View Park 136AL AMEDA AND OAKL ANDEMERYVILLE AND BERKELEY137Emeryville Marina Park and Bay Trail Loop 138César Chávez Park 139Berkeley Marina, Pier, Shorebird Park, and Nature Center140ALBANY AND RICHMOND142Albany Waterfront Trail 143Point Isabel Regional Shoreline to Shimada Friendship Park144114v

Wheelchair FM pp i-xiv, 1vi5/9/064:52 PMPage viA WHEELCHAIR RIDER’S GUIDEVincent Park, Marina Bay Park, and Lucretia Edwards ParkMiller/Knox Regional Shoreline 148Ferry Point Pier 149Carquinez Strait and North Bay Shore150PINOLE152Point Pinole Regional Shoreline 152Pinole Shores Regional Park 154Pinole Bayfront Park 155MARTINEZ AND ANTIOCH156Martinez Regional Shoreline 156Antioch/Oakley Regional Shoreline 158159Benicia Marina and Pier 160West Ninth Street Park 161Benicia State Recreation Area 161BENICIA163Vallejo Marina 163River Park 165VA L L E J ON A PA A N D P E TA L U M A R I V E R SJohn F. Kennedy Memorial ParkShollenberger Park 168Marin Bay Shore166166170S A N R A FA E L T O C O R T E M A D E R A172Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District 172John F. McInnis County Park 173McNears Beach 174Pickleweed Park 175Jean and John Starkweather Shoreline Park 177Corte Madera Ecological Reserve 178TIBURON PENINSUL A AND ANGEL ISL ANDParadise Beach County Park 179Tiburon Peninsula Historic Trail 180Angel Island State Park 182S A U S A L I T O A N D M I L L VA L L E YSausalito Waterfront 186Bothin Marsh and Bayfront ParkRESOURCES190185188178146

Wheelchair FM pp i-xiv, 15/9/064:52 PMPage viiA WheelchairRider’s GuideMOST BAY AREA RESIDENTSconsider themselves lucky to besurrounded by so much natural beauty, yet too few find thetime to explore more than a few of the numerous parks, trails, and openspaces within easy reach of their homes. Those in need of a fairly level andfirm traveling surface—be they wheelchair riders, parents wheelingstrollers, or people with canes or walkers—tend to frequent places theyalready know. They remain unaware of the many delights they could enjoyelsewhere along the bay and ocean, from the Point Reyes National Seashoreto the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, from San Francisco’s lively waterfront to thewide open marshes of the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge, to historic Benicia and Antioch on the Carquinez Strait, to the protected wetlands on the Petaluma River. These and many other places are public, andyou can visit many free of charge.This guide, produced as part of the Coastal Conservancy’s San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy and access programs, is a greatly expanded second edition of the 1990 book by Erick Mikiten. A great many more areashave been made wheelchair-accessible in the past 15 years. We hope thisbook will encourage you and many others to venture to some of the placeshere described—more than 100 sites—and to discover others that we couldnot fit in, or that had yet to be built when we went to press.You may be amazed that so much public access to the shore exists insuch a densely populated metropolitan region, despite the fact that realestate values are among the highest in the country. This is no accident. SanFrancisco Bay was saved from destruction by local citizens. Until the 1960s,its nearshore waters were widely considered to be prospective real estate.Some areas were subdivided already, though the lots were under water.Throughout the region, cities were filling the bay with garbage and rubblevii

Wheelchair FM pp i-xiv, 15/9/064:52 PMPage viiiviii A W H E E L C H A I R R I D E R ’ S G U I D Eto make more land for building. But then three women in Berkeley stoppedall that by launching the Save the Bay movement in 1961, which led to legislation that established the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) in 1965 to prevent unnecessary filling of the bayand ensure public access. This was the first coastal management law in thecountry and it served as a model for the California Coastal Act of 1976.When BCDC was created, only four miles of the bay shoreline were accessible to the public. Now, 41 years later, about 200 miles are open to everyone.It’s in the law: the bay is a priceless natural treasure, to be enjoyed by allthe people and to be protected for other species. In December 2005, celebrating the 40th anniversary of BCDC and Save the Bay, elders and theirsuccessors took pride in the fact that not only had the bay stopped shrinking, it is continuing to expand because of all the wetland restoration nowgoing on. They also cautioned, however, that the bay’s future can never besecure. Citizens must continue watching over it. If you want to find outmore about bay restoration work and perhaps even get involved, look at“Resources” (see page 190) for names of some organizations that welcomevolunteers.Before you begin planning a trip to any of the parklands described inthis book, look at “How to Use This Book” and “Resources” (see pages xiand 190). You will find useful hints, website addresses, and phone numbers.As you travel, please keep firmly in mind that you are on your own andneed to use your own judgment. I visited most of the places described inthis guide; a few were visited for this edition by Erick and Elisa Mikiten orother researchers. My descriptions are based on my experience as a quadriplegic using both a manual and a motorized wheelchair. All of us did ourbest to make the guide clear and accurate, but we cannot guarantee thatnothing has changed, that we have made no errors, or that your experiencewill match ours.Even as we visited these parks and trails, changes were occurring, orwere planned, in numerous locations. Many of these changes will createeven greater accessibility. However, time and weather can also bringunwanted changes, such as erosion, drifting sand, and damage to trails and

Wheelchair FM pp i-xiv, 15/9/064:52 PMPage ixA WHEELCHAIR RIDER’S GUIDEfacilities. When planning an outing, we strongly advise you to consult parkstaff regarding current conditions.Some of the places described in this guide are in relatively isolatedindustrial or formerly industrial locations. While many people visit theseareas safely, we recommend that you explore them in the company of others, and exercise caution.I learned a lot in researching and writing this guide, and hope to convey to you some of my appreciation for the places I discovered, my love forthe outdoors, and the concern I now have about the future of San FranciscoBay and the coast. Happy travels to you!Bonnie Lewkowicz, the project team,and the Coastal Conservancyix

Wheelchair FM pp i-xiv, 15/9/064:52 PMPage xL AWRENCE ROBBINAlong the Bay Trail in Hayward Regional ShorelineT H E B AY T R A I L : A W O R K I N P R O G R E S SThe San Francisco Bay Trail is a trail system that circles the bay, linking publicopen spaces along the entire shoreline. These include parks, piers, wildlifereserves, historical sites, and shoreline communities. Largely wheelchairaccessible, the Bay Trail connects with the California Coastal Trail, variouslocal trails, and with the Ridge Trail, which is forming a second ring aroundSan Francisco Bay. When completed, the Bay Trail will be about 500 mileslong and will connect 47 cities and nine counties. As of March 2006, morethan half—270 miles—of the trail system had been completed and work wasunder way on numerous additional trail segments. To learn more, contactthe Bay Trail Project at 510/464-7900 or visit www.baytrail.org.

Wheelchair FM pp i-xiv, 15/9/064:52 PMPage xiHow To UseThis BookS O M E H I N T S TO H E L P YO U U S ET H I S G U I D E TO B E S T A DVA N TAG ETAKE A FEW MOMENTSto familiarize yourself with this guide. The sitesincluded are generally within rolling distance of a shoreline, and offer avariety of outdoor experiences to satisfy differing interests and accessibilityneeds. We have done our best to insure that this guide is accurate, but we cannot guarantee that information hasn’t changed since publication, or that wedidn’t miss something here and there. This book is based on the author’sexperience, not on any agency’s approval of sites as meeting ADA guidelines.Also, weather and time can alter trail conditions. Therefore we strongly recommend that you phone ahead, where possible, before visiting parks andother locations, to verify key information and determine current trail conditions. Check Internet sites (addresses for many follow the site descriptions inthis guide) for additional information, directions, and printable maps.Organization and MapsThe book is organized by region. It follows the Marin County coast fromPoint Reyes south through the Marin Headlands, then moves along the SanMateo County coast and into Santa Cruz. Next it takes you through SanFrancisco along the city’s oceanfront and bay shoreline, continues southaround the bay, then north to Carquinez Strait, around San Pablo Bay to theMarin County bay shoreline, ending in Sausalito.Regional maps are meant to provide only a general sense of site locations. For some sites that might be confusing, you will find more detailedmaps. Note, however, that the scale varies, so neither regional nor site mapsshould be used to determine actual distances. For that, refer to the text andto road or park maps. Restrooms noted on maps meet some key accessibility guidelines (see below). Other restrooms that may be useable are mentioned in the text.xi

Wheelchair FM pp i-xiv, 15/9/064:52 PMPage xiixii A W H E E L C H A I R R I D E R ’ S G U I D EMAP KEYPIndicates parking areas with dedicated blue spaces. Checkthe text for accessibility.PARKING :RESTROOMS : Don’t rely only on the symbol. Read the text for details:some “accessible” restrooms are old and not up to ADA standards.Some that are not marked “accessible” may work for you.INFORMATION CENTERPAVED TRAILUNPAVED TRAILROADHIGHWAYWOODEN BOARDWALK OR DECKBRIDGEAccessibility and the ADA GuidelinesIt is widely acknowledged that access means different things to differentpeople. With this in mind, we did not rate trails based on their level of accessibility; rather, we have provided accessibility details about trail routes andkey features. This information is intended to help you make informedchoices about places to visit, based on your particular access needs. We usedthe ADAAG (Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines) andTitle 24 as a basis for evaluating the accessibility of various features such asrestrooms, parking, and picnic tables. However, we have also included trailsand facilities that do not meet the guidelines, if we considered them accessible to at least some wheelchair riders.The accessibility guidelines for some key features are as follows: The path of travel to the restrooms is accessible, entry andstall doors have at least 32-inch clearance, toilet height is 17 to 19 inches,grab bars are on the back wall and at least one side, and there is a roll-undersink with 27-inch knee clearance.RESTROOMS Identified by the international access symbol, located on a firmand stable surface, and with an access aisle unless otherwise noted. We didnot indicate whether spaces were van accessible.PA R K I N G

Wheelchair FM pp i-xiv, 15/9/064:52 PMPage xiiiHOW TO USE THIS BOOK Located on a level, firm, and stable surface with tableheight of at least 27 inches. Seating may be at either end of the table or onthe sides.P I C N I C TA B L E S F I S H I N G P I E R S Level access onto the pier and at least a 32-inch pathway.Safety regulations require that railings be 42 inches high, which may limitviews and fishing access from a seated position. Has an accessible path of travel to the playground and is located on a firm and stable surface as approved by the AccessBoard. May or may not have accessible play structures.A C C E S S I B L E P L AYG R O U N D The steepness of ramps and inclines is measuredby a ratio. The standard measurement is 1:12, meaning that it rises 1 inch forevery 12 inches of length. Gentle slopes are less than or equal to 1:12, whilesteep slopes, by varying degrees, are greater than 1:12.RAMPS AND INCLINESHiking SafetyMany of the trails in this guide are level, but some may require good upperbody strength and careful navigation. Rather than make assumptions aboutpeople’s ability or interests, we have included trails of varied difficulty. If atrail is described as “steep” or “difficult,” it is based on the author’s experience as a quadriplegic using both a manual and a motorized wheelchair, andit exceeded the 1:12 ratio. You are your own best judge for choosing trailsthat are safe for you; however, please be cautious.Come prepared to stay longer than you think you will by bringing water,sunscreen, snacks, and hats. Gloves are recommended for manual wheelchair riders. If you have a cell phone, consider programming it with theemergency number of the park or entity that manages the trail. Binocularsand field guides can enhance your trip.Some of the places described in this guide are in relatively isolatedindustrial or formerly industrial locations. While many people visit theseareas safely, we recommend that you explore them in the company of others, and exercise caution.xiii

Wheelchair FM pp i-xiv, 15/9/064:52 PMPage xivxiv A W H E E L C H A I R R I D E R ’ S G U I D EWeatherFoggy, windy days are common along coastal and shoreline trails, so takelayered clothing. To fully appreciate a place, you need to visit more than onceand at different times of the year. Wildflowers and wildlife absent on onevisit can magically appear on another. In wet weather, dirt trails will mostlikely become muddy. Call ahead for trail conditions.Beach WheelchairsLarge chairs with balloon tires specifically designed to roll over sand areavailable free of charge at some beaches. They have to be pushed by someone, and are easiest to push on wet sand. Generally they cannot be reservedin advance, but it’s advisable to call ahead to see if they’re available. For a listof California beaches with beach wheelchairs, visit www.coastal.ca.gov/access/beach-wheelchairs.html. For a catalog of adaptive recreation items,including beach wheelchairs, visit www.AccessTR.com.FishingAnyone may fish from a public pier at the ocean or a bay without a license.To fish at other locations, people 16 years old and above need a license. Freefishing licenses are available to disabled people; call 916/227-2245 for anapplication.Discount and Free Parks PassesCalifornia State Parks offers a lifetime discount pass for permanently disabled persons for 3.50. It enables you to pay half price for parking, camping, boating, and day-use fees in state-operated parks, except for Hearst SanSimeon State Historical Monument. Applications are available online atwww.parks.ca.gov/pages/737/files/dpr818a.pdf, at district offices, or fromthe Department Pass Program Office, 3930 Seaport Blvd., West Sacramento, CA 95691. For more information, call 800/777-0369 (option 5) orvisit www.parks.ca.gov.Permanently disabled people can enjoy free entry to the national parks,and a 50 percent discount on camping, swimming, boating, and parkingfees, through the lifetime Golden Access Passport, available free of charge atany national park.

Wheelchair FM pp i-xiv, 15/9/064:52 PMPage 1REG I O N 6 :CARQUINEZ STRAIT andNORTH BAY SHOREPt. Pinole to Petaluma RiverPage 150REGION 1 :MARIN COASTPt. Reyes to Fort BakerPage 2REGION 7 :MARIN B AY SHORELas Gallinas Pondsto SausalitoPage 170REGION 5 :EAST BAY SHOREHayward to RichmondPage 112REGION 3 :SAN FRANCISCO andNORTHERN PENINSULAFort Funston toSan Mateo BridgePage 42REGION 4 :SOUTH BAY SHOREFoster City to Alameda CreekPage 84REG ION 2 :SAN MATEO andSANTA CRUZ COASTPacifica to Santa CruzPage 20

Wheelchair Ch01 pp002-0195/9/064:25 PMPage 21To Bodega BayMARIN COASTPierce Pt. Rd.Tomales BayState Park1Sir FrancisDrake Blvd.BearValleySir FrancisDrake Blvd.Limantour Rd.DrakesBeachShoreline Hwy.Pt. ReyesLighthouseMt. TamalpaisState ParkPanoramicHwy.Muir Woods101Stinson Beach1Steep Ravine CabinsMuir Woods Rd.1Fort BakerMuir BeachFort CronkhiteConzelman Rd.Golden Gate Bridge

Wheelchair Ch01 pp002-0195/9/064:25 PMPage 3Marin CoastFto the Marin Headlands and GoldenGate Bridge, Marin County’s Pacific coastline is rugged,incredibly beautiful, and almost entirely protected, either forparks or agriculture. Much of it is within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). The Point Reyes NationalSeashore, established in 1962, allows dairy ranches to continueto operate within the park. The terrain can present challenges towheelchair riders, but there are accessible trails—including awonderful boardwalk through Muir Woods—as well as scenicdrives, accessible beaches and visitor centers, and opportunitiesfor observing whales and other wildlife.MICHELLE VIGNESROM POINT REYES3

Wheelchair Ch01 pp002-0195/9/064:25 PMPage 4Point ReyesNational Seashoreof parkland is one of the nation’s great treasures. Its 71,057 acres include rolling grasslands, forested ravines that openonto steep, rocky blufftops, broad beaches, lush salt marshes, and 600-foothigh granite promontories at the Point Reyes Headlands. Wildlife aboundsand hiking trails extend more than 140 miles, although the terrain makesmany of them inaccessible to wheelchair riders. There is also a hostel. Thispark is a good place to learn about tectonic plates and earthquakes: the PointReyes Peninsula is partly separated from the mainland by 15-mile TomalesBay, which lies in a rift valley formed by the San Andreas fault.The weather varies dramatically around Point Reyes, and suddenchanges should be expected. A sunny day on the east side of Inverness Ridgemay be foggy and cold on the ocean side, and clearing fog often signals theonset of strong winds. Try to learn what conditions are expected for the entire day to avoid being caught in bad weather during a several-mile hike, especially on trails that are likely to become muddy quickly.T H I S M A G N I F I C E N T E X PA N S EUC COOPERATIVE EXTENSION , MARIN COUNT YDairy cows at the Giacomini Ranch in Point Reyes

Wheelchair Ch01 pp002-0195/9/064:25 PMPage 5POINT REYES N ATION AL SEASHOREPOINT REYES N ATION AL SEASHORElesmaToTule Elk ReservePd.yBaPierce Pt. Rd.sRHeart’s Desire BeachPPPt. ReyesBeachAbbottsLagoont.–PmaultaPeTomales BayState ParkeeyRInvernessSir FrancisDrake Blvd.Limantour Rd.P1DrakesEsteroBear Valley Rd.Sir Francis Drake Blvd.HostelPPBearValleyP LimantourBeachPDrakesBeach Kenneth PatrickPVisitor CenterArch RockPt. ReyesLighthouseElephant SealOverlookHighway 1(Shoreline Hwy.)1Bolinas LagoonPStinson BeachBear ValleyBEAR VALLEY ROAD OFF HIGHWAY 1 NEAR OLEMATthe park’s inland areas, you might start at the BearValley visitor center, which offers displays and specimens of native wildlifemounted in dioramas, as well as a seismograph station monitoring activityalong the San Andreas Fault. The multilevel interior is ramped, with the exception of one raised station, and all displays are well conceived for use orviewing from a seated position. Movies about the shoreline are shown on request. A wheelchair is available to visitors.The Earthquake Trail, a .6-mile asphalt loop, leads from the Bear Valleyvisitor center to a spot where the 1906 earthquake cut a fence in two andmoved it. The two pieces are now 16 feet apart. The trail provides a pleasantO BEGIN EXPLORING5

Wheelchair Ch01 pp002-0194:25 PMPage 6MARIN COASTS TEVE SCHOLL, C ALIF ORNIA COAS TAL COMMISSIONPoint Reyes National Seashore:415/464-5100;www.nps.gov/poreBear Valley Visitor Center:415/464-5137M Bear Valley visitor center:Mon.–Fri., 9 am–5 pm;Sat.–Sun., 8 am–5 pmClosed Dec. 25.Bear Valley visitor centerstroll through forest and meadows. On a grassy oak-shaded knoll near thispath’s beginning are picnic tables and barbecue grills.Also leading out of the upper parking lot is the Bear Valley Trail, whichruns west a little more than four miles to Arch Rock and the ocean. Thiswide hard-packed dirt trail follows Coast Creek as it winds under Douglasfir and other trees amid fern undergrowth. For the first 1.5 miles, the trailslopes gently uphill, becoming moderately steep for the last several hundredfeet of that stretch. Manual wheelchair riders will get a good workout, butthere are also level sections where you can rest. Gloves are helpful during extended braking. During the rainy season, this trail may become impassable.At 1.5 miles out, the trail enters the large and beautiful Divide Meadow,a good place to loll around or picnic. Beyond the meadow, it continues at agentle slope for another 2.5 miles to Arch Rock. The steep, uneven trail tothe overlook atop the rock may be accessible to the more adventurous, butotherwise ocean views are limited. Just south of San Rafael, exit Highway 101 or I-580 Weston Sir Francis Drake Blvd. and follow it about 20 miles through town and country until it ends at Highway 1 in Olema. Turn right on Highway 1, left on BearValley Rd. and, after .5 mile, turn left past the big red barn to the visitor center.GETTING THEREFour blue spaces are in the lower paved lot at thevisitor center. The upper dirt-and-gravel lot has two spaces at the Bear Valleytrailhead and two at the Earthquake trailhead. Accessible restrooms are next to 65/9/06PA R K I N G / R E S T R O O M S

Wheelchair Ch01 pp002-0195/9/064:25 PMPage 7POINT REYES N ATION AL SEASHOREthe visitor center. An accessible portable toilet, approached on a moderatelysteep incline, is at Divide Meadow, 1.5 miles out on the Bear Valley Trail.The stalls in the Earthquake Trail restrooms are not deep enough to close thedoor, have no grab bar on the back wall, and require a frontal transfer.Point Reyes HostelSI X M I L E S W E S T O F T H E B E A R VA L L E Y415/663-8811;of the Bear Valley visitor center andwww.norcalhostels.orgtwo miles northeast of Limantour BeachM Check out 7:30–10 am;on Limantour Road, you come upon thecheck in 4:30–9:30 pm;Point Reyes Hostel in a wooded valley.closed 10 am–4:30 pm dailyOperated by Hosteling International, itF E E S Dorm bed 16 adults,comprises a ranch house and redwoodchildren under 18, 10;bunkhouse that together can accommoone family room, 54date 44 guests. A concrete ramp from theR E S E R V A T I O N S 888/464-4872parking area between the two buildingsleads into the ranch house’s utility room.You pass through the kitchen and dining room to reach the bedrooms. If youwant to stay in one of the small dorm rooms, which have five bunks each,make reservations to ensure you get a lower bed. The one private room canalso be reserved. Next to the ranch house is a barbecue grill on an accessiblepatio. The redwood bunkhouse is inaccessible. The small paved lot has no blue spaces, but guestswith special needs can reserve a space. Restrooms in the ranch house have widestalls with grab bars and high toilets. Curtains serve for doors and don’t get inthe way. The shower is small but has grab bars and a removable wooden seat.PA R K I N G / R E S T R O O M SAbbotts LagoonAa dune-sheltered freshwater lagoon on the northside of the Point Reyes Peninsula, is a short drive out Pierce PointRoad, which intersects Sir Francis Drake Boulevard two miles past the townof Inverness. A decomposed granite-and-dirt trail skirts the southern sideof the lagoon and leads out to beach. The first .5 mile is accessible, althoughBBOTTS L AGOON,7

Wheelchair Ch01 pp002-0194:25 PMPage 8MARIN COASTerosion from a wet winter may make it impassable. Look for coots, westerngrebes, and quail.At the end of rolling Pierce Point Road, past some dairy ranches, youmay be lucky enough to spot tule elk. These animals were hunted almost toextinction in the late 1800s. In 1978 a reserve was established for them here,and today there are two separate herds at Point Reyes, totaling nearly 400animals. They can often be seen from the road. On your return, before theintersection with Sir Francis Drake Blvd., turn left into Tomales Bay StatePark and Heart’s Desire Beach on Tomales Bay. You will find a level lawnwith a picnic area and a sheltered sandy cove. Two blue spaces and accessible restrooms are inthe dirt lot for Abbotts Lagoon.PA R K I N G / R E S T R O O M SDrakes BeachSOUTH SIDE OF POINT REYES PENINSULAWAY O U T O N T H E P E N I N S U L A ,Visitor center: 415/669-1250about seven miles past the interCafé: 415/669-1297secti

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO AND NORTHERN SAN MATEO COUNTY 73 Brisbane Marina 74 Oyster Point Marina and Park 74 . As you travel, please keep firmly in mind that you are on your own and need to use your own judgment. I visited most of the places described in this guide; a few we