Most state parks didn't start out as dumps. McLaughlin Eastshore State Park did — and that's exactly what makes it worth a look. Officially McLaughlin Eastshore State Park State Seashore, this 8.5-mile string of waterfront plots runs along the East Bay shoreline between Richmond and the Bay Bridge in Oakland, less than half an hour from Downtown San Francisco when traffic cooperates. From its paths you can see the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge, the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, and the San Francisco skyline all at once.
The backstory is a good one. Much of the land was created by construction waste dumped into the bay between the 1960s and 1980s, and landfills — including the Berkeley Dump — lined the shore. Locals once called it the Berkeley Flats: mud, old cars, tires, and a lingering stink. In the 1980s developers pushed to build two 18-story hotels on the site, but a decades-long campaign led by conservationist Sylvia McLaughlin kept the shoreline public. The park was designated a state park in 2002, and ongoing restoration has brought back blackbirds, plovers, and finches to the wetlands and meadows.
There's no headline attraction here — the draw is passive recreation with a side of serious views. The park's best asset is a segment of the San Francisco Bay Trail, an ambitious 500-mile route around the bay that currently covers over 350 miles. The stretch through McLaughlin Eastshore passes tidal marshes and active restoration zones, and links up with neighbouring parks like Point Isabel Regional Shoreline, Cesar E. Chavez Park, and Emeryville Marina Park, so you can string together a longer walk or ride along the water. Shorter coastal paths wind through Berkeley Meadow and the bird preserve next to Albany Beach.
If sand is the goal, head for Albany Beach, an 1,800-foot stretch popular with dog owners. Note that leashes are required on trails, near beach entrances, and in parking lots, and dogs elsewhere need to respond to voice commands. Another practical warning: stay on marked paths. Some restoration zones have exposed rebar jutting from the ground — a leftover from the park's landfill years that can injure kids, pets, and anyone who strays.
The park opens 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and sunset is the magic hour, when golden light bounces off the water. Locals favour the parking lot at the end of University Avenue in Berkeley, which puts you close to boats at the Berkeley Yacht Harbor — and to Seabreeze, a beloved local counter serving a fried catfish sandwich worth planning your visit around.
Who is this for? Travellers in San Francisco who want a quick escape without a big outing. It suits joggers and cyclists, birdwatchers keen on the restored wetlands, dog owners, and anyone chasing an easy sunset walk with skyline views. It's also a quietly satisfying one — a shoreline saved from hotels and landfill, now free for anyone to stroll.