Point Pinole Regional Shoreline
Point Pinole Regional Shoreline covers 2,432 acres of meadow, eucalyptus wood and bay bluff, and it is the largest open space within reach of Pinole by a wide margin. One thing surprises most first-time visitors: despite the name, the park's two entrances are in Richmond, not Pinole. It is run by the East Bay Regional Park District, not by the city.
Hours and parking
Hours and parking are the two things to settle before you go, because the hours change five times a year. Parking costs $5 per car and $25 per bus, collected only when the kiosk is attended, from April through October. Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and tap-to-pay are all accepted.
| Months | Open |
|---|---|
| January – February | 8am – 5pm |
| March – April | 8am – 6pm |
| May – September | 8am – 7pm |
| October | 8am – 6pm |
| November – December | 8am – 4pm |
The two entrances
The two entrances serve different sides of the park, and the one you pick decides how far you walk before you reach the water.
- Giant Highway — 5551 Giant Highway, Richmond, CA 94806. 120 parking spaces, the larger of the two. From I-80 take the Richmond Parkway exit west, cross San Pablo Avenue, turn right at Giant Highway; the entrance is on the left past the railway tracks, about 3.25 miles from the motorway.
- Atlas Road — 3000 Atlas Road, Richmond, CA 94806. 78 spaces. From I-80 take Richmond Parkway west, cross San Pablo Avenue and turn right on Atlas Road; the entrance is about a mile along, roughly 2.5 miles from the motorway.
A third staging area at Dotson Family Marsh is reached from Goodrick Avenue off the Richmond Parkway. The park's information line is 888-327-2757, option 3, extension 4551.
Trails and the shoreline
Trails and the shoreline run mostly flat, which makes this unusually easy walking for the East Bay. A loop taking in Point Pinole, Cooks Point, the marsh, Owl Alley, China Cove and Bay View covers 4.06 miles with about 112 feet of climb. The shoreline itself runs 5.5 miles along San Pablo Bay, with views across to Mount Tamalpais and the Marin shore.
The Park District finished a major restoration in April 2017, adding the Dotson Family Marsh, the Atlas Road Bridge and a 1.5-mile raised extension of the Bay Trail. Restrooms and drinking water are at the trailhead and at the pier.
Dogs and fishing
Dogs and fishing both come with conditions, and the dog rules are the simpler pair. A maximum of three dogs per person is allowed, dogs are barred from the pier, and commercial dog walking is not permitted anywhere in the park.
Fishing works differently depending on where you stand. A California fishing licence is required along the 5.5-mile shoreline, but no licence is needed to fish from the pier — which is the single most useful fact on this page for anyone travelling without one.
Where to Stay Near Point Pinole Regional Shoreline
Where to stay near Point Pinole Regional Shoreline comes down to three motels. The park's entrances sit about 15 minutes by car from the middle of Pinole, and all three of the town's motels are on that side of the bay. lodging within a short drive of the shoreline — compared on rates, amenities and guest scores.
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Hours, fees and access details compiled August 2026 from the East Bay Regional Park District. Seasonal hours change; confirm before travelling.