Brooks Island Regional Shoreline

Elite '09

354

1444

Ann L.

Fremont, CA

6/17/2007

I bet many in the Bay Area haven't heard of Brooks Island Regional Shoreline and don't know where it is.

I heard about Brooks Island though a hiking friend only a few yrs ago.  One  reason it took me so long to visit it is cuz you need to have RSVP to be lead on a Guided tour of the Island.

I finally made RSVP through the East Bay Regional Park District by calling 510-636-1684 and signing my hubby and me up for the Brooks Island "Outfitter" Paddle which is $85 pp.  It's expensive but it's something new & exciting.  

We meet at the Richmond Marina and you can park your car for $10 there, or take your chances in the FREE lot on the Right, or the street.  We took our chances and the car was still there after the class (don't know about you guys).

The class we had on Sat 6/7/07 was from 11am-4pm.  There were about 11 of us.  2 kayake guides & a botanist.  Kayaking to the island is only 1/2 a mile away, but it's Hard.  Especially for us since we don't kayake.  Everyone (older & more experienced) passed us, and we were the last ones.

After we get to the Island we then have a potluck lunch (we all had to bring something to share for 7 ppl-we brought store bought cookies).

There is a Caretaker that lives on the island that took us on a guided 2-mi hike around the island which is normally closed to visitors.  Lots of birds to see if you bring binoculars.  The views we had were just ok cuz it was hazy, but on a nice day should be nice.

After the hike we had to kayake back which was easier.

It's worth it to sign up for an outing if you've done everything else in the Bay Area & interested in this regional park.

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