Day 5: 2015-04-26 Brisbane - San Mateo

I started the walk today bright and early, before 7:30 am from Brisbane. Heading south, the trail first goes around Oyster Point where there are several companies. This being Sunday, I didn't run into the office crowd, but just a handful of local folks walking and jogging the trail.

Point San Bruno Park

The bay trail is well paved and in excellent condition as it goes around Oyster point. About 2 1/2 miles into the walk you will come upon the fancy looking South San Francisco Ferry terminal. In general, the views from this section of the trail is beautiful, but it gets especially nice around Point San Bruno park. You will also get to see take offs from SFO airport, both eastward and westward.  

A friendly couple took a photograph of me with the makers of Tamiflu (Genentech) offices in the background. As you near the airport area, the scenery starts changing to become more dry. Soon, you will be in Airport Blvd. On the left is the SamTrans peninsula, a 2 mile detour by the bay. The peninsula also houses a homeless shelter. I did go around this section before joining the bay trail at Airport Blvd & N Access Rd. 

The trail goes underneath the various freeways and ramps feeding the SFO airport for about a mile. Bay trail is not yet complete around SFO airport, so between San Bruno in the north and Millbrae in the south, I had to take to city roads. To make this somewhat boring section interesting, I'd recommend charting a route that includes San Bruno downtown (San Mateo Avenue) and Broadway Ave in Millbrae. I also chose to visit Third Eye Restaurant, a Nepalese restaurant in Millbrae and was glad to note that everyone's family back in Nepal is safe after the recent earthquake.  

Crossing over Hwy 101 on Millbrae Ave, I caught up with the trail again at Bayfront park. This park and the next couple of miles or so provides excellent views of air planes landing in SFO and is highly popular with folks who want to enjoy this sight. 

Bluff Trail, Coyote Point

Leaving Burlingame behind, the trail enters San Mateo and the beautiful Coyote Point Recreation Area. With the wind and surf, this is a popular spot with wind surfers and parasail surfers. I would recommend taking the bluff trail into the Coyote Recreation Park, for the views from within this area is simply amazing. I was also lucky to observe sting rays swimming in the lagoon here, as well as some great pictures of birds.

Parasail Surfing

The stretch from Bayfront Park to Coyote Recreation Area is also popular with anglers. All in all, lot of recreation enthusiasts were out there enjoying the nice afternoon with a gentle breeze. Another mile south is Seal point with interesting wind walks and structures in San Mateo. The bay was filled with several people parasail surfing near San Mateo bridge. And that had brought me to my destination for the day - Mariners Point Golf Center.

Key Stats from Day 5

• Distance covered: 20.5 miles
• Elapsed time: 9 hours 10 minutes (including breaks)
• Breaks: About 90 minutes
• Overnight stay: Howards Johnson Express Inn, San Mateo
• Cities: Brisbane, South San Francisco, San Bruno, Millbrae, Burlingame, San Mateo
• Dog friendly segments: All portions except Coyote Point Recreation Area. It is possible to stick to the trail and walk your dog here.
• Birds observed: Greater Scaup, Whimbrel, American Coot, Double Crested Cormorant, Snowy Egret, Willet, Mallard [as well as some sting ray and a gopher snake]

  Pictures (80+) from hike today. Complete map of the 7 day walkabout.