Waterbird Regional Preserve

Park has weird hours. Open when its suposed to be closed. and closed when it should be open. But when you can get in, parking lot is spacious, there is never really anyone there, bathrooms are clean enough and the hills, even dry, are pretty. You share the trails with cows, friendly curious cows, but they are sometime MIA too. Back up the hill to your left there are cool remains of foundations from homes built by some of the 1^st settlers in Martinez. I love that stuff.

I brought my grandmother, who is an avid birdwatcher, here last night to see if we could see pelicans. We arrived at 4:25 pm and the gate was already locked even though the sign next to the gate states that the gate closes at 5 pm.
We came back today after I got off work and arrived at 4:35 pm. Again the gate was closed.
Thanks for disappointing my grandmother, East Bay Regional Park District!

Not a whole lot to see at this park, though parking is free and restrooms are available along with picnic tables under some shade. It’s about a 2 – 3 mile loop through the mash and wetlands and hills. Sometimes cattle or cows hang out around the area, so do watch for them.

The reviews below have pretty much covered it. Just wanted to add that the low fog and light rain during this particular season really beautify this absolutely gorgeous preserve. It’s currently a striking rust orange throughout. And the juxtaposition of the marshlands with the peppering of large silver vessels in the waterway forms the most unique backdrop. Mark this spot, photographers!

Waterbird is a fine place for watching birdlife and a bit of easy dirt hiking. Its got several miles of hiking through the marsh and wetlands. It forms a huge loop. No shade so wear sunblock or wear a hat. Along the trail you will see a bit of an old house foundation.
Restrooms~yes
Picnic tables in shade~yes
Parking~free
NO dogs
NO fishing

If you’re driving north on I-​680 towards the Benicia Bridge, and look beyond the Refineries, there are beautiful wetlands areas on either side of the road (especially the right). On a given morning or afternoon, there are all sorts of birding opportunities out there to view and enjoy. If you have a few extra minutes, take the Marina Vista exit, turn right at Waterfront Road (and towards the Refinery formally known as Tosco) and follow the signs to the Waterbird Regional Preserve. And just in case you’re hungry in the morning or at lunch, there’s usually a taco truck parked at your turnoff (watch for the Acme Landfill/​Martinez Gun Club signs).
Waterbird Regional Preserve is a 198-​acre area comprised of a wetland and the associated uplands to the east. The focal point of the Preserve is the rich and diverse Al McNabney Marsh, of which the East Bay Regional Park District owns 46 acres in the southern end and Mountain View Sanitary District owns 69 acres in the northern and deeper end. These areas are along the Pacific Flyway for migratory birds and provide habitat for a variety of waterfowl and shorebirds. Site amenities include a covered picnic area, restrooms, benches, peaceful surroundings, and great views.
Bring your binoculars and/​or camera!
You can also take the trail out of the parking area to reach the Meadowlark Ridge Loop for good views of the marsh. Walk to the northern end of the park towards the pepperwood and eucalyptus trees to see signs of the old chemical worker housing site dating from the early 1900s when the Peyton Chemical Company and Mountain Copper Company were in operation near the present Rhodia site. The pepperwoods line an old road made of «clinker» stones, produced through smelting operations. In the future, the trail system in Waterbird Regional Preserve is expected to connect to the proposed Point Edith-​to-​Martinez Shoreline Regional Trail, which will connect the Preserve to trails in the nearby Peyton Hills Marsh operated by the State Lands Commission.