Point Isabel Regional Shoreline
The air is getting colder and we can tell it’s feeling more like Fall. We haven’t decided on costumes yet which for us, is pretty late in the game as my kids usually decide on their picks the year before and remind us right up until October. On cold weekends like the one we just had, we like to plan time outside regardless if the weather is “permitting.” Our daughter’s friend was over for the weekend so we decided to go to the shoreline for some fun exploration and quality time with Gus, our black lab.
The beginning of the paved trail goes as far as about a mile and includes a secondary dirt trail parallel to it that rises and falls in between the rolling hillside. This place screams dog park, but families and kids can take a leisurely stroll, toss the ball around for the pooch, and explore the rock areas. We decided to get right onto the shoreline.
Friends heading down toward the water
I began lifting as many rocks that I could manage with my shoe to see what creatures we could find underneath.This became a beloved activity and the girls called out to me every time they found a rock they felt I could handle. About 20 minutes later we were squatting and observing crabs of all sizes and bugs we couldn’t name. My littlest was busy lining up rocks she picked up on a nearby wooden plank while James was keeping a wet Gus from swiping us, fresh out of the water.
A crab giving us a giant hello with one of his claws
After strolling along the paved area and greeting every dog that came by, we continued throwing the ball while Gus swam what seemed like an entire football field. Exhausted from the wind, we headed back to the beginning of the trail and walked down to the water to help navigate an overthrown ball in the now-roaring tide. Gus climbed out, ball secured in his cheek as he chewed while he walked away from us–his way of communicating that he, for sure, was done for the day.
Gus, ebbing and flowing with the tide
There’s a cafe and dog bath near the entrance which we haven’t frequented much but their lunch is great if you didn’t pack anything and the outside area is the perfect resting spot if you can bear the wind longer. There are also benches along the shoreline and off trail. The waste stations are always stocked with doggy bags and everyone who brings their dog there is very aware of the rules–it’s rare we will see any land mines lying around to accidentally step on. Coming back here on a gloomy, windy, day reminded me that you can be outside even if it’s not sunny–something that the kids and I have become accustomed to over the years and look forward to in the Fall months. Check the East Bay Regional Parks District webpage for more information before visiting.
Do do you have a shoreline area where you live? What other activities do you do there? Let us know if you’ve visited here before and what your favorite part is.
Getting in formation: lining up rocks on a wooden plank
