New Map Cards Unlock Commute Routes and Recreation Destinations on the San Francisco Bay Trail

(News from the Association of Bay Area Governments)

Discover 345 miles of walking and biking trails and explore the shoreline with updated Bay Trail Map Cards and a new Bay Trail Website (http://www.baytrail.org). Commute routes and recreation destinations for walkers and bicyclists are showcased on the San Francisco Bay Trail Project's revised map cards. The San Francisco Bay Trail Project is a non-profit organization administered by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). Laura Thompson, San Francisco Bay Trail Project Manager, says, "The updated map cards are key to discovering recreation along the San Francisco Bay Trail, which spans 47 shoreline cities, nine counties, and 130 parks and wildlife preserves, reinforcing the connectivity between cities. The Bay Trail also serves as an alternative commute corridor connecting to public transit and employment centers." The new map cards were made possible through a State Coastal Conservancy grant.

The boxed set of 25 cards includes detailed maps, trail descriptions, and one large fold-out map featuring points of interest along the shoreline. Highlighting almost 15 miles of recently completed Bay Trail, the map cards are an update to those published in 2013. They now feature 2.5 miles along the Hamilton Wetlands in Novato, 1.7 miles on Carquinez Scenic Drive outside of Martinez, and 1.7 miles of trail on Inner Bair Island in Redwood City. The 3.8 mile Bay Trail on the East Span of the Bay Bridge* is also featured, along with hundreds of other trail segments. Easy-to-pack and easy-to-use, the San Francisco Bay Trail maps are now available for purchase at retailers and at www.baytrail.org for $14.95. Companion online and mobile phone applications are also available through the website.



New Bay Trail Website

Shoreline adventurers now have a new resource for trip planning and inspiration with the launch of an updated San Francisco Bay Trail website, http://www.baytrail.org. The easy-to-navigate site is packed with recommended excursions for walking, bicycling, birding, picnicking, dog walking and learning in places of solitude or lively destinations. Events and points of interest along the Bay Trail are listed on the site. Funded in part by a grant from the State Coastal Conservancy, the new website tells the story of the Bay Trail through beautiful photographs and detailed maps to entice people to explore the shoreline on their own or as part of a group event. The new website aims to raise awareness about the San Francisco Bay Trail and the efforts to close the remaining gaps in what will someday be a 500-mile continuous shoreline trail.



Background

When completed, the Bay Trail will encircle the entire San Francisco Bay, linking all nine Bay Area counties and 47 cities, and crossing seven toll bridges. The San Francisco Bay Trail Project provides funds and technical assistance for trail planning and construction to local jurisdictions, enlists public participation in trail-related activities, and publicizes the Bay Trail and its region-wide benefits as part of its mission to plan, promote, and advocate for implementation of the Bay Trail.



*Pathway completion to Yerba Buena Island is expected at the end of 2016. Check with Caltrans regarding intermittent pathway closures http://www.baybridgeinfo.org/path.