Judge John Sutter Regional Shoreline

We're always on the lookout for new views of San Francisco and its bridges, and the Judge John Sutter Regional Shoreline provides just that. This unusual park is fairly new and still in development. A pier juts out into the bay enough for some spectacular views of the City, up-close views of the Bay Bridge foundation, and interesting views of the Port of Oakland.

View of San Francisco and the Bay Bridge

Judge John Sutter Regional Shoreline

My husband and I visited mid-week and parked in the generous and practically empty parking lot. This is a launching off place for anyone heading for the pier and fishing or views, or those planning to bike or hike the two and a half miles to Yerba Buena Island, with access to Treasure Island. The pier parallels the Bay Bridge so the traffic noise is quite loud, but the whole situation is so unique and interesting that it seemed worth it.

Map of the trail

Purple flowers

The park has interesting transportation history. According to the East Bay Regional Park website:

• The electric railway Key System operated on a trestle between 1903 and 1958, and carried passengers to a ferry terminal to cross the bay between the East Bay and San Francisco.
• A substation at the site provided electrical power to the trains that carried 36.4 million passengers in 1945.
• The Interurban Electric Railway Bridge Yard Shop Building, renamed recently to Bridge Yard Building, was a maintenance facility for the trains.
• In 1941, the Oakland Army Base was established at the site as a transportation port and distribution terminal for the Department of the Army. The base was decommissioned and closed in 1999.

The Port of Oakland is right across the channel, with views of cargo ships and cranes (inspiration for the Star Wars Imperial Walkers, according to local lore). On the day we visited, the ONE (Ocean Network Express) was in port. Gotta love a pink cargo ship.

ONE - cargo ship in the Port of Oakland

Massive cranes used in the port

Pink flowers

We caught a glimpse of San Francisco through the barbed wire fence, while winding our way along the path past interesting buildings and landscape plants.

View of San Francisco from the East Bay

Interesting old building

Red flowers

The pier is built on the foundation of the old Bay Bridge, and parallels the new Bay Bridge. Benches provide places to rest, eat your lunch, and take in the view. You can fish off the pier (but cannot clean your fish there). On the day we visited, several fishermen tended their lines, hoping to catch dinner.

Section of the old Bay Bridge on the left, the new Bridge on the right

Substantial foundation for the new Bay Bridge

Photo-op from the end of the pier

It will be interesting to see how this park evolves over time! I recommend the park for its easy access, beautiful views, and fascinating history.