Waterfront Park

245 N Court St, Martinez, CA 94553, United States

 

Martinez's downtown area has always been an enigma. It's the seat of the county, has a colorful history of city government, has a developed downtown area that has its ups and downs, and features the Marina Waterfront Park as a scenic place to do a lot of fun stuff that sometimes seems to be hidden in plain sight. This is one of the locations near Martinez to go for a lunch-time stroll as well.

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The Waterfront Park is a sprawling district with big, spacious areas. It's bordered by regional parks in the bay area. The park has recently been revamped, so it is practically a new park. It's all fun to go and be appreciated by everybody. A LOT of tree issues have occurred; branches of all sizes have recently fallen, with many trees only falling over. Do not park under any palms, a word to the wise.

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There is a fantastic bocce pavilion in this park, with several courts, an amphitheater, a marina and a fishing pier, as well as miles of shoreline hiking. Just across the tracks from historic Martinez, playgrounds, ball fields, and a welcoming environment - birthplace of joltin 'Joe and a station on the Pony Express.

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A quiet spot to stroll is Martinez Regional Shoreline Waterfront Park. With diverse wildlife and habitats, it has a strong trail system. There are signs describing nature, history and paths in the areas. At low tide, the smells of brackish salt water, the rustling of marsh grasses and cool breezes flowing from the Carquinez Strait / Suisun Point Channel are mesmerizing. In a good portion of the park, dogs are not permitted, only in one specific designated area and only on paved paths. Not the ones on gravel. As are the large oil tankers supplying Shell, the trains are very busy. You can walk out onto the wharf quickly. The views are fantastic. You will like to go early in the morning before anything gets busy, it's cool and crisp all the time. Wear strong shoes and enjoy yourself.

 

This park contains some plain, mostly flat, unpaved trails around the short marsh vegetation and over the inlet to the Alhambra Creek, as well as pebbly beach access and a wide lagoon-type pond. A lot of birds, particularly in the winter. Here, the black rails are heard. Parking is a little crappy at times because people sleep there, but over the years I've never heard of any major problem except a couple of car break-ins.

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Directions: Turn right on Joe Di Maggio Drive, turn west on Ferry Lane, then left on North Court Lane. On the right, Waterfront Park is situated.