Coyote Point County Park, San Mateo

If you’ve ever flown into SFO, you might have seen the windsurfers at Coyote Point right before the plane touches down. Windsurfers love Coyote Point because it’s usually very windy there. This can mean choppy water conditions. If you are planning to swim Alcatraz or across the Golden Gate this year, this is the one swimming workout that most closely approximates the swimming conditions of these two preeminent Bay Area swimming events. If you can successfully swim Coyote Point, you can rest assured that you’ll successfully complete Alcatraz and the Gate.

This large recreation complex has beach access fronting on the San Francisco Bay. There is a string of buoys marking the limits of the designated swimming area. Depending on the tides, the length of the buoys is about 50 yards. In the winter, you can follow the shoreline for a long distance swim; at no time will you ever be in water that is more than three-to-five feet deep. Generally, the water is calm in the morning hours. During the summer, in the afternoon, the strong winds create whitecaps on the water. With the exception of swimming at Pacifica, this has been one of the roughest swims I've done. Do not swim alone when the chop is very high. Outside of the swimming area is designated for windsurfers and jet skiers during the summer.

The water temperature is about 57 - 58 degrees, although on a sunny day it will be up into the middle 60’s. A wetsuit is recommended unless you’ve been in the water without one regularly for the past couple of weeks. It is a good idea to wear a brightly colored florescent latex swim cap (for both warmth and safety). Spending $25 for a Barracuda Hothead Thermal Cap or a polar cap is highly recommended if you chill easily.

This park is a good place to get in a quick swim and run, too. Located right off Coyote Point Drive east of Highway 101, the beach area is near the entrance, with plenty of parking available right in front of the shore. Restrooms with shower facilities are also right there for a speedy transition back to work or home. After the swim, make sure that you bring a warm change of clothing. And take it from experience - absent a sauna in which to warm up, you are strongly encouraged to bring a thermos of hot tea or broth. Going for a short 10-20 minute run is also another excellent method to warm up and there are some lovely bicycle / jogging trails in the park..

Facilities: Restrooms, drinking fountains and phones located in several areas in the park. There also is a snack bar and restaurant within walking distance. Entry fee is $4.00 per car. (415) 363-4020. There is a small parking lot that is free less than a half-mile past the Humane Society following the bike path.

Coyote Point is a great day trip destination that can provide a wide variety of opportunities: picnic areas with barbecue pits, beaches, windsurfing, bike riding, jogging, fishing, boating and sailing. There is also the spectacular Coyote Point Museum, which is the only environmental science museum in the Bay Area. Exhibits include six major ecosystems found in the Bay Area. The Wildlife Habitat, adjacent to the museum, houses live reptiles, amphibians, mammals and birds. There is also a marina and the Castaway Restaurant.

Tips:

Rangers suggest wearing water socks on the beach.
There is a flat, easy 2.5M-paved loop trail that follows the perimeter of the park. For additional mileage, the path connects to the San Francisco Bay Trail. (See Map 2).This path continues to Foster City and Redwood Shores.

Directions:

From Highway 101, take the Coyote Point Drive exit and follow the signs to the park.

Stop at the Park Entrance Gate, pay the $4 admission fee (per vehicle) and then make your first left. Follow the road all the way around to the beach and park.
Public transit to Coyote Park.

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