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Albany Bulb

DISTANCE:	1.8 miles
ELEVATION GAIN:	70 feet
HIGH POINT:	50 feet
DIFFICULTY:	Easy
FITNESS:	Walkers, hikers
FAMILY-FRIENDLY:	Yes, with supervision; as a former landfill, the park has occasional hazards, including pieces of metal protruding from the ground, areas with uneven footing, and broken glass
DOG-FRIENDLY:	Yes
AMENITIES:	Restrooms, benches along the trail
CONTACT:	City of Albany
GPS:	37°53'21.5628" N 122°18'54.414" W
MAP TO:	Albany State Marine Reserve, 1 Buchanan Street, Albany, CA

GETTING THERE

Public Transit: AC Transit bus 80 takes you to the intersection of Buchanan and Pierce Streets, a 0.6-mile walk to the start of this route.

Parking: Parking is free just outside the park at 1 Buchanan Street in Albany.

Between 1963 and 1984, the Albany Bulb (so named for its bulbous shape) was used as a landfill. Over time, and with help from the Regional Water Quality Control Board and the city and community of Albany, this area was converted from a literal wasteland into a park that is home to countless colorful and creative art projects, including graffitied concrete, sculptures, and a stone labyrinth. People are always updating the eclectic collection, so the outdoor exhibit may look different each time you go. And art’s not the only attraction at this quirky shoreline park. The views of San Francisco are spectacular and the trails are dog-friendly.

A few notes on this hike before you go: first, none of the trails are labeled, so you may feel like you’re walking around a maze. Use the directions given here in conjunction with the map to stay on course. If you find yourself off course (especially in the middle of the route), don’t worry. Just try to use the map to get back on track, knowing you’ll be starting in the easternmost part of the park and walking to the west end of the park before returning to the start.

Next, the trail quality varies: One part of the route is almost nonexistent at high tide (consult tide tables before you visit), and another part can be muddy and slippery after a rain. Be sure to bring sturdy shoes (that you’re comfortable getting dirty) for this section especially.

Enjoy this short but sweet walk that shows off the quirky spirit of the Bay Area.

GET MOVING

Start your hike at the end of the parking area on Buchanan Street. Pick up the Albany Waterfront Trail (no sign), a wide paved trail. As you reach Albany Beach on your left after 325 feet, you come across The Cove, a sculpture designed by artist Carlo Ferretti in 1999. The piece, constructed from pieces of recycled Solano Avenue sidewalk, is a popular gathering spot.

Sculptures and views abound at the Albany Bulb.

As you pass The Cove, bear left (but not all the way to the beach) to pick up a wide dirt trail that runs along the water. You’ll see works of art painted on concrete on your right and views of the San Francisco skyline across the bay and to your left. This part of the trail is the long “neck” of the Albany Bulb.

At 0.4 mile, as you reach the end of the neck, the paved trail turns to gravel and goes uphill. Leave the wider trail and bear left on a narrower trail that runs along the water. Some parts of this section of the trail are almost impassable at high tide (consult tide tables before you visit).

After 0.2 mile on this narrower trail, look for a small path lined with pieces of concrete that leads to a house-like structure, also of concrete, uphill and to your right. This is Mad Marc’s Castle created by a former Bulb resident known by that name. (You’ve gone too far if you make it to the far west side of the park where the trail peters out.) After exploring the “castle,” look for a concrete path continuing behind the structure. Take this trail about 250 feet to intersect with a junction with a few narrow trails. Head right here—if you’re in the correct place, you’ll quickly arrive at a wide trail. At this wide trail, turn left.

After another 250 feet on this wide trail, head left when the trail splits. Follow this trail straight for 300 feet, then bear right to stay on the wider trail (narrower trails will branch off ahead and to the left of you). Then, as you reach a T-intersection after 200 feet, turn left. Continue another 100 feet. When you come across a large tree on your left, look behind the tree to see another tree and then a labyrinth slightly downhill from you (there is often a tree swing here). Walk around the labyrinth if you like, then head back to the wide trail next to the large tree.

Continue on the wide trail north for 0.1 mile until it comes to a T-intersection at the water on the north end of the park. A large sculpture of a woman created by Osha Neumann greets you when you arrive here. Head left to explore some more art, including sculptures of a man and a dragon. You can also enjoy additional sweeping views of the San Francisco skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge from here.

Head back to the sculpture of the woman, and continue 0.1 mile on the trail along the water on the east side of the bulb to head back toward the neck of the park. When the trail appears to end, look for a narrow and steep but mercifully short hill (just 30 feet of elevation gain) to your right. This part can get muddy in winter or spring.

From the top of the hill, stop at a bench if you need a rest. Otherwise, with the hill behind you, look left to see a wide trail. Go down the slope, and once you reach that trail, turn left. You are now parallel to the trail you started on, the Albany Waterfront Trail, just higher up. Continue on this trail 0.3 mile until you reach The Cove. Then you just have about 300 feet to go back to the parking lot and the start of the hike.

GO FARTHER

Head to Albany Beach to relax, or, from the parking lot, head north on the San Francisco Bay Trail for 1.7 miles (one way) to reach Point Isabel Regional Shoreline (Hike 2), a shoreline park with off-leash dog walking and a café.