Foster City

Foster City Lagoon

If you can find this myriad of lagoons in Foster City, it is a convenient place to train in open water. It is good for those new to open water swimming because the water is very calm, reasonably clean, and generally does not require a wetsuit.

Although there are not many swimmers here, there are people learning how to windsurf. Training occurs far enough offshore to give you plenty of room to swim undisturbed. There are no swimming lanes or buoys, but you can follow the perimeter of Central Lake, which is also a paved walkway. The first time I swam there, I had several walkers tell me to "beware of the jellyfish!" According to the woman who runs the windsurfing classes, she said they are not the stinging kind. This was not entirely comforting, but I never saw or felt any jellyfish. However, I was getting annoyed with the well-meaning interruptions from the public. As you become more comfortable with open water swimming, your fears will lesson and you can swim farther out, and not be as easily distracted.

On a warm, sunny day, it is relaxing to loll on the grass after your swim. Triathlon seems easy compared to wind surfing!

There is an extensive Foster City Bikeway System that encircles the lake and lagoons. It is flat and easy, with a 15 MPH speed limit in effect, and open to pedestrians. For a longer ride, you can pick up the bike path on East Hillsdale to Coyote Point, or down to Redwood Shores. This is part of the San Francisco Bay Trail, and it is well worth exploring by bike or run along the Bay. There is a bike route map inside the Recreation Building. (415) 349-1200.

Erckenbrack Park is surrounded by housing located on a series of isles. If you don't get lost easily and won't feel strange swimming past people's waterfront homes, it is another option. Always follow the right side of the seawall, at about 3/4 mile; you will pass under the Foster City Blvd. Bridge. At 1.5M, there is a boast ramp that is only a few blocks away from the Central Park Community Center.

Facilities: Restrooms inside recreation center. (415) 286-3380.

Directions:

From Highway 92, exit Foster City Boulevard.

Go south on Foster City Boulevard. This is two rights if coming from the east and a left then a right if coming from the west.

Turn left on East Hillsdale Blvd.

Turn left on Shell Blvd.

Pull into the Recreational Center Parking lot on the right.

To get to Erckenbrack Park, go back to Foster City Boulevard, and turn right.

Turn left at the next street, Balclutha

Go several blocks to Niantic and turn right.

The park is on the left.

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