Alviso Marina County Park
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
22 reviews for Alviso Marina County Park
22 reviews in English
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Review from Samsudin K.
Santa Clara, CA
Since we had a dry winter this year, we frequent to Alviso for cycling trip on weekends. The path is great for running and cycling. The entire route is flat 9 miles and we had tried both the clockwise and anti-clockwise route. The route near the rail track seem to have more dead animals or watch out for flies in hot days. They will get into your mouth when you are riding your bike and even into your eyes. We love this place because there are so many birds to see, ducks and marshland. The restroom is very clean. Our favorite time to go is before sunset but they close the gate after sunset around 7 pm in winter.
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Review from Esther S.
4/9/2012
Came here for a short stroll with a friend. I'm not sure if its a new thing or not but there are "no pets" signs everywhere. Bew.
Didn't really get to see any birds (not sure because the season?) But it was nice walking around for a bit next to the ocean even though it was super windy.
As mentioned, there are trains that run by and its kinda fun watching them and waving at them.
Not a big park- easy parking through. Hard to find off the freeway (Great America Parkway).
Who knew Alviso was its own little town?
*Note: when searching for this place on the map with the Mill Street address, make sure the city is Alviso and the end destination is next to water. If it doesn't show up try putting "Alviso Marina County Park" directly as the end destination. (When we put in Mill street it kept trying to send us to Santa Clara). -
Review from K S.
Santa Clara, CA
11/20/2011
Perhaps the best-kept secret in the South Bay as far as parks go. It's the Valley's version of Point Pinole up north.
If you live in Santa Clara or San Jose and want to walk along the bay, you don't have to go up to Shoreline or Coyote Hills (as many people assume). Park here and walk a short distance on a boardwalk, and you're on a path that circles the southern tip of the bay. It would take a few hours to do all of it, but you can go a little way up and turn back. It's unpaved, so it's iffy for bikers, but perfect on foot as long as it didn't just rain.
I always thought bayfront scenery wouldn't be that attractive down here (compared to SF and Oakland), since the bay gets much narrower the further south you go and there's more industry. But walking along this path feels exactly like walking along the bay anywhere else. Wide open space and water on one side. It's just as good, and arguably better since it's so unpopulated.
The only drawback is the train track along the eastern side of the loop, which is not that busy anyway. People also mention weird smells, but I'm guessing that's just a very occasional thing.
Can't believe it took me so long to find out about it! -
Review from Candice T.
San Jose, CA
2/10/2011
Love this place!
I specifically brought my girlfriend visiting me from Mexico, so she would have some gorgeous photos to bring back home.
Gorgeous in the Spring/ Summer time with the sea of greens that contrast a perfect blue sky, this park is a picturesque place to bring any shutterbug.
It was equally beautiful (and cold) this winter, but worth the temperature drops. -
Review from Chris B.
2/7/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Great place to relax and watch trains! Very quiet and pretty secluded. Lots of trails to go exploring. Not too far away is the old town of Drawbridge with its sinking buildings, but do be careful if you go there as it usually involves trespassing on the railroad tracks.
Definitely one of my favorite places to take pictures (and if you don't like trains, there's plenty of other things to photograph - like birds). Nothing beats the light here late afternoon and into the sunset especially on a clear day.
An example of one of my photographs taken here: http://www.railpicture... -
Review from Kenny P.
12/7/2010
I came here once for a lunch break with a couple of people and noticed that they had some kind of event that they were either setting up for or closing up. The most interesting sight is the marshland grass that makes this place unique. There are piers that extend out on the marshland area.
We noticed from afar that a photo shoot was in progress, female photographer and subject. Watching them for a few minutes and one other person confirming that it was pretty amateur. Although it seems like this is a popular spot for model photo shoots. -
Review from YAMMY C.
San Jose, CA
5/29/2007
This park is situated in the town of Alviso (near Hwy. 237 or near the end of N. First St.). I last went here several years ago when the park and town wasn't as developed as it is now. Today, Alviso still has old town charm plus an enclave of new homes and the park is a little more finished with nicer trails and self-guided displays.
At the park, there are long walking paths that will take you out to the bay. Don't expect to find a beach and palm trees during your stay here. The area is surrounded by mud marshes that will swallow you up if you decide to jump in. As you walk around, you may still see some remnants of the old town of Drawbridge. The trails are well maintained and depending on weather, it can get damn windy out there, so bring a jacket.
This is also a bird reserve so do bring your binoculars for bird watching and do take notice when the train roars by. The visual and sound of the train passing by at sunset is stunning.
I'm deducting one star because it's not as dog friendly as I wished it could be. There is only one extremely short trail at the park that allowed dogs and it didn't even lead you out to the bay.
Bathrooms and water are available at the parking lot. No entrance/parking fee and the gate is open until sunset. -
Review from Bill F.
Fremont, CA
10/10/2009 7 photos
I came here after going to Mission College to get some time walking because I enjoy exercising outdoors. This park was close to the college and it was a on the way home. Additionally, I got to walk around the community of Alviso, which has a lot of interesting buildings.
Getting to this park was fine. It is at the end of the town but the parking was on the street because the county is doing some construction on the park. Street parking was fine because it is not busy in Alviso.
Views from the park was great. It was interesting see the bay from the park. Unfortunately, I did not see any wildlife during my visit today. However, I did see and hear a lot of planes going overhead from San Jose Airport.
The park does have rest room facilities for the use of the visitors. When going through the town, I did not see too many places to get a meal but it was easy to head to Santa Clara for a meal from Alviso.
Overall, a great visit, and I will definitely return for another walk around the park and town. -
Review from Vb L.
2/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
What a surprise! A pretty little park nestled on the water in the middle of Alviso. It's beautiful. And it has a free boat launch!!!!! Can't wait to grab the jet skis (when the weather is warmer) and head out to the SF Bay.
Listed in: Stopppppppppp!!!!!
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Review from Chi N.
Wait, you're telling me that there's a place in the suburban vastness of the Southbay where you can actually see water and remember we live next to a bay? As other have pointed out, few people know about this little spot in the small town of Alviso. The park itself is mostly marshlands and what used to be salt ponds (I think, from readin the signs). There are some broad trails that you can walk or bike through, all flat, nice place to see the sunset and take in the salty ocean air. You can also see the outlines of the East Bay, but not so much the peninsula. The trails are set up such that there are loops encircling the old salt ponds, good place to run, but make sure to wear long sleeve pants and shirts since there are some bugs, and also wildlife like the jack rabbit that ran along with us for a short section! Once you're done w/ your workout/walk, check out the mexican restaurant in Alviso.
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Review from Delaine Z.
Fresno, CA
4/16/2011
You would never know that you are so close to a big metropolitan area of a million people. It's a quiet place to walk, reflect, and enjoy a unique view of the San Francisco Bay. The salt marshes provide bird sanctuaries. There are picnic tables and a nice restroom. Perfect place for a picnic lunch on a warm day.
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Review from a.v. n.
Santa Clara, CA
6/20/2008
I pretty much ditto what everyone else said here. I grew up near here, and we used to ride our bikes out here when were kids.
Very calm and peaceful, but depending on the temperature and which was the wind is blowing, you kind of get the stench from the Bay. -
Review from Storm S.
Union City, CA
1/23/2009
Where i go to reflect.
and its not to far from my work. -
Review from Weide Z.
San Jose, CA
1/1/2009 1 photo
Here is silly reason #2346 why *YOU TOO* will someday be carrying an iPhone and all its wonderful little toy apps (or something like it) on your person...
1. After having a pleasant end-o-the-year lunch in Alviso.. wander up to the levee and over the bridge and into the Alviso Marina County Park..
2. Survey the various paths before you and the spots out into the salt marsh and salt ponds to where they can take you..
3. Select the path *w-a-a-y* down at the Eastern end of the parking lot.. the one that will take you w-a-a-y f*ckin out there... along the salt pond levees, past the flocks of resting waterfowl.. and take it... then when you get to where you wanna go.. just keep walking some more.. unitl you figger you're off any map besides those USGS ones..
4. Pull out your iPhone.
5. Open "Maps." Then *FUTZ AROUND WITH IT* ... like mebe selecting "Directions" .. until for some reason or another the iPhone asks you if you wanna use your current location... then say yes..The location pin will drop and show you on the map way off any labeled road.. in the middle of the Bay as far as it is concerned..
6. Then select the little page-turn icon in the lower right corner and then select "Satellite.." and .. then zoom down and you get a satellite view of where you are standing.. in the middle of the Salt ponds.. right down to the last little bend in the path you just took... pretty effin' cool if you ask me..
OK as nature reserves go.. Alviso Marina County Park is kind of a poor County-run sister to the "Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Reserve" about a mile and a half down the road. But it is casual stroll accessible from the restaurants in Alviso. It has nicely maintained viewing and sitting areas that it *didn't* have a few years ago.. and then it is a convenient entry-point to miles of levee paths if you wanna just get out and do some non-vertically-challenging walking or bike-riding.
Also... there's the Sacramento Amtrack line that runs from San Jose to Union City over this part of the salt marsh.. Kind of cool seeing the trains shoot out into the mud flats..Listed in: Day outings..
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Review from Anna S.
San Jose, CA
3/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Really gorgeous! The walkways take you into the middle of the marsh and you feel like you're walking through it, it's sooo pretty! They have these gates to block off access incase there's a flood, or something? But even that detail is well thought out the welded metal is beautifully designed. The walking paths are clean and you can walk a few miles. Really interesting informational signs about the salt flatts too.
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Review from Kevin B.
Santa Clara, CA
8/30/2010
A pretty bayfront park -- I knew the park, but was surprised that Yelp listed it when searching "Dog Parks" -- just for the record, this is NOT a dog park! Dogs need to be leashed at all times and are forbidden from most of the park entirely...
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Review from Mark a p.
Santa Clara, CA
7/7/2010
Friday afternoon. It's been a good day. Heck interesting is a better adjective. This is my second visit this week. This time I spent. Walking down the "old docks" looking at the wetlands. Taking pictures of things and trains passing. I have my Super-Big Gulp and my book. So i sit down and enjoy the breeze coming off the bay. I am glad it was coming from the northwest mind you. I am at a picnic table. It was a nice relaxing time. Sans ants would have been nice. My fault for where i sat. again still nice and relaxing. Oh there are tidal charts for those boating. Take heed.
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Review from Maya J.
San Jose, CA
9/4/2010
Quiet, simple, and a very little traffic. For years I feel this place is a secret spot to get away from it all. I love this place!
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Review from Christie D.
Newark, CA
7/16/2010
Alviso holds a special place in my heart. Not much to the marina. Simply provides peace and a nice breeze. Lovely to photograph as well.
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Review from Mike M.
7/23/2009
I ride my MTB bike here often -- maybe once a week -- since I live closeby. The park itself is not large at all, only a handful of picnic tables. The trails here are all flat fire road trails, but there's a decent size loop that I ride for a good cardio workout. It gets pretty windy out there too so pack a windbreaker to keep warm. The park trails are pretty quiet which I generally like since it's so peaceful out there...but sometimes, it does get kinda creepy to a point. Anyhow, the trails are multi-use, perfect for bikes, runners, or just a nice walk. There's plenty of wildlife to see along the marshlands too.
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Review from Mishti D.
Sunnyvale, CA
3/12/2009
Check out:
http://locomotoring.ne...
I agree with the author that the marina is a bit cold for picnic. But a great place nevertheless to see a bit of forgotten past. -
Review from Andrew C.
Santa Clara, CA
Updated - 6/26/2010 2 photos
The new boat launch ramp opened a few weeks ago. It's awesome. (See photos) And it's free -- no launch fee, no park entrance fee. I have been out there kayaking three times, and I have yet to see another boater. It's like the county spent $2 million just for me kayak down the street from my home! The water is calm but it's pretty windy, and the wind always blows from the northwest, so as you paddle toward the bay you get a really good workout. It took me about 2 hours to the tip of the SF Bay. The return trip was only about 1 hour, and most of that time I didn't have to paddle, the winds and the current pushed me along slowly. I was so sore the next day I had to get a neck and shoulder massage, and then a back massage two days later. Also one day there was this guy who was taking pictures of me kayaking from the dock. I know it's a public place, but still I felt violated and a little creeped out.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/24/2009
I really like this place. Great for an easy bike ride along the levees, the trail that takes you on… Read more »
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