Best Bay Area Stroller Hikes to Bring Family This New Years

With the holiday season almost at its end and the weather forecast clearing in the Bay Area, you may be looking for ways to entertain out-of-town guests, especially those with kids cooped up all week long.

We get it — and we’ve got you covered. Luckily, the Bay Area is full of stroller- and wheelchair-friendly hikes, so family and friends of all ages and abilities can get outside and start the new year on the right foot.

The key to an accessible hike, said Pamela Fox, founder of Marin Mommies, which publishes guides for parents and families in Marin County, is that trails are wide, relatively flat, easy to navigate with a bulky stroller, set in a “spectacular setting,” and feature something for kids to do along the way.

Fox highlighted North Bay hikes that fit the bill, from the Cross Marin Trail in Samuel P. Taylor State Park to the old-growth redwoods of Muir Woods National Monument and the sweeping ocean views of Mill Valley’s Tennessee Valley. The visitor center at Point Reyes National Seashore got a special shoutout, as did the Tunnel Tops playground at Crissy Field in San Francisco. Fox also mentioned the Novato section of the Bay Trail, which also has a playground and viewing binoculars for wildlife watching.

If you need gear to get started, check out your local library, as many lend hiking gear, state and local parks passes, binoculars and nature guides made especially for kids.

That includes San Mateo County Libraries’ Library of Things, said Francis Hebert, access services manager.

In addition to the Junior Explorer Backpacks — which include “anything from equipment to binoculars, a magnifying glass, even some waterproof notepads, and also guides and books,” Hebert said — the library also offers data hotspots if you’re worried about being offline.

Everything is available on a first-come-first-served basis. Items can be borrowed for one to three weeks at a time. The San Mateo City Library also lends child carrier backpacks, telescopes and small first aid kits for three weeks at a time.

The libraries are open to suggestions from the public, so if there’s anything you think would make hiking with little ones easier give them a shout, Hebert said.

“We’re here to offer all these services, make things as accessible as possible,” he said.

Read on for more suggestions for kid friendly hikes, broken down by region:

East Bay

Lafayette Reservoir Trail, Lafayette: This 3-mile paved loop circles Lafayette Reservoir and has specific hours for people on roller skates, rollerblades and scooters. The trail is smooth, about 8 feet wide and lined with benches and picnic tables.

The nearby Lafayette-Moraga Trail is another accessible option, stretching 7.5 miles.

Parking: $7 per vehicle all day or $2 per hour for 2 hours maximum. The lot off Mt. Diablo Boulevard has 15 accessible spaces.

Arroyo Del Valle Regional Trail, Livermore: Located in Sycamore Grove Park, this 5-mile round-trip paved trail winds through sycamore and oak trees. You can take detours to a botanical garden, picnic area and an unpaved nature loop for wildlife viewing. Along the way you’ll reach several viewpoints of the creek and even an almond orchard, olive grove and, during the holidays, a decorated Christmas tree. Be aware: Mountain lions have been spotted in the area.

Parking: Park at either the Arroyo Road or Wetmore entrances. Parking is $5, or free at nearby Independence Park.

Bay Trail, East Bay: While the San Francisco Bay Trail spans more than 350 miles to circle the Bay, sections in Pinole and Emeryville are especially welcoming for kids and wheelchair users. Both offer paved trails and stunning bay and skyline views.

Parking: For the Pinole section, park at the Dotson Family Marsh staging area and head north to Point Pinole. Parking is $5 from April through October when the kiosk is attended — and free otherwise. At the Emeryville Marina, parking is free for four hours.

If you still need more East Bay ideas, try:

• Coyote Hills, Fremont
• Alameda Creek Trail, Fremont
• Iron Horse Trail, Concord to Pleasanton
• Contra Costa Canal Trail, Contra Costa County

North Bay

Old Rail Trail, Tiburon: This 5.2-mile roundtrip follows Tiburon’s shoreline all the way downtown. Start at Blackie’s Pasture, and if you don’t want to head all the way (or are looking for stunning views), veer right onto San Rafael Avenue instead. Along the way, there’s even a playground and ample benches for rest.

Parking: The lots at Blackie’s Pasture are free, but fill up on popular weekends. Overflow parking is available on Greenwood Beach Road.

McInnis Park Wetland Preserve, San Rafael: Ideal for dog walking and birdwatching, this wide dirt path goes for 2.4 miles past a golf course into wetlands with expansive Marin views. There’s no shade, so be sure to cover up during the sunny months. Bring your bird identification guide, as you’re sure to see your fill of waterfowl.

Parking: Parking is free near the McInnis Park Golf Center.

Verna Dunshee Loop Trail, Mill Valley: Looking for views of the North Bay from above? Drive nearly all the way up Mt. Tam to this short 0.7-mile loop with the best vantage points. Be warned: some small sections are moderately steep, but even the drive up to the trail feels like an adventure. And at East Peak, there’s a visitor center with information and snacks.

Parking: Park at East Peak, which is $8 per vehicle.

If you still need more North Bay ideas, try:

• Armstrong Redwoods, Guerneville
• Napa Valley Vine Trail, Napa
• Tennessee Valley Trail, Mill Valley

South Bay

Rancho San Antonio Lower Meadow Trail, Cupertino: Make it an out-and-back or a lollipop — and keep your eyes peeled for deer and wild turkeys on this mostly paved and somewhat shaded trail running alongside Deer Hollow Farm, a 160-year-old apple farm turned educational nonprofit. Be aware: This trail can get quite busy, and if you choose the lollipop route there is one substantial hill.

Parking: Free, but the parking lots fill early at this preserve. You can even check availability at home before you leave.

Baylands Nature Preserve, Palo Alto: A birdwatcher’s delight, this network of marshland is mostly undisturbed and contains 15 miles of mostly flat gravel trails. Families  can also pop into the Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center to learn more about all the wildlife encountered on the walk.

Parking: There are several free lots, but parking can fill up quickly.

Los Gatos Creek Trail, Santa Clara County: There are multiple access points for the over 10-mile trail with benches, restrooms and routes through downtown Los Gatos and Campbell for a coffee stop. Just be aware that this is a highly trafficked trail by runners and bikers, so slower travelers should stay to the right.

Parking: Park anywhere along the trail or head to Oak Meadow Park for restrooms and a playground. Parking at the park is $6 per vehicle.

If you still need more South Bay ideas, try:

• Coyote Creek Trail, San Jose
• Stanford Dish Trail, Stanford
• Pearson-Arastradero Preserve, Palo Alto

Peninsula

Sawyer Camp Trail, San Mateo County: Running along the shoreline of the pristine Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir, you’d never know this 11-mile trail is just minutes from bustling Highway 280. It’s paved with minimal elevation gain as it winds along a nature preserve and water reservoir. There are picnic tables but no drinking fountains, so make sure to bring your own water and even lunch.

Parking: Free parking at the trailhead runs out quickly, but there are ample free spots along the adjacent roadway.

Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail, Half Moon Bay: Stretching from Half Moon Bay to Moss Beach, this 11-mile segment offers spectacular cliffside coastal views and winds through Half Moon Bay’s harbor where you can grab a snack and trek out to the tidepools at Pillar Point.

Parking: Closer to downtown Half Moon Bay, park at the Poplar Beach lot for $10 per day or $2 per hour. Free parking is available at Princeton Harbor.

Devil’s Slide Trail, Pacifica: This 1.3-mile trail gets all the bang for your buck possible — it’s paved, features benches and observation scopes and teeters over the edge of the Pacific Ocean on the former Highway 1 route. Be aware: This is not an entirely flat trail, so make sure you’re willing to push up a small grade.

Parking: There are parking lots on either side of the tunnel that are both free, but fill up quickly.

If you still need more Peninsula ideas, try:

• Mori Point, Pacifica
• Bay Trail, Redwood Shores
• Purisima Creek, Half Moon Bay

San Francisco

Sunset Dunes, San Francisco: San Francisco’s newest car-free promenade stretches 2 miles along the former Great Highway at Ocean Beach. Fully paved and directionally separated, you can go with the flow of traffic without worry. The park is evolving, with murals and kid-friendly equipment and amenities appearing along the route.

Parking: Free street parking is available along the Lower Great Highway or in the lot near Lincoln Way.

Blue Heron Lake, San Francisco: A world away from the bustling city, this interior lake — formerly Stow Lake — is a mini oasis in the middle of Golden Gate Park where you’ll see wildlife and tourists in pedal boats. It features a wheelchair- and stroller- accessible loop, and if you’re game for some off-roading, you can tackle Strawberry Hill.

Parking: Be aware that driving through the park requires avoiding JFK Promenade, now closed to cars. Parking is free along Blue Heron Lake Drive, accessible via MLK Drive.

Presidio Promenade Trail, San Francisco: It doesn’t get any more San Francisco than sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge from the Presidio Promenade. The trail connects Tunnel Tops park and playground to Fort Point and the bridge itself. The entire trail is paved and easy for hikers of any age.

Parking: From the east, you can park at the Letterman Digital Arts Center’s underground lot;  from the west, use any of the many free parking areas near the bridge. Just remember: Don’t leave any valuables in your car!

If you still need more San Francisco ideas, try:

• JFK Promenade, San Francisco
• Botanical Gardens, San Francisco
• Lands End Trail, San Francisco.