Bedwell Bayfront Park is a spectacular 160-acre nature park located at the east end of Menlo Park on San Francisco Bay, at the intersection of Highway 101 and Marsh Road. Surrounded on three sides by the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, this park offers a unique combination of bayfront scenery, diverse wildlife, and well-maintained trails that make it one of the best dog-friendly destinations in San Mateo County.
Dogs must remain on leash and under full control at all times at Bedwell Bayfront Park. With that simple rule in mind, you and your dog are free to explore the park’s extensive trail system together. The relatively flat 2.3-mile perimeter trail is part of the San Francisco Bay Trail, which will eventually encircle San Francisco and San Pablo Bays with a continuous 400-mile network of bicycling and hiking trails connecting the shoreline of all nine Bay Area counties and linking 47 cities. For a bit more challenge, some of the interior trails are steeper, crossing the park’s hills and leading to elevated viewpoints with panoramic vistas of the bay, salt ponds, and surrounding mountains.
Birdwatching is outstanding at Bedwell Bayfront Park, with over 200 bird species recorded at this location. As you walk the trails with your leashed dog, keep an eye out for shorebirds, raptors, herons, and egrets along the wetland edges. The park’s position adjacent to the national wildlife refuge creates a rich habitat that attracts both resident and migratory birds throughout the year. Spring and fall migrations are particularly exciting times to visit, when the skies and marshlands come alive with activity.
People of all ages enjoy the park for hiking, running, bicycling, dog walking, kite flying, and photography. The open, breezy landscape makes it especially popular with kite enthusiasts, and the sweeping bay views provide stunning backdrops for photographers. Most of the trail system is unpaved, giving the park a natural, rugged feel despite its proximity to the tech campuses and neighborhoods of Menlo Park. Some park trails are also suitable for wheelchairs, ensuring accessibility for all visitors.
Parking is available along the entrance road and in two paved lots near the back of the park. Restrooms are located near the first large paved parking lot. The park is free to visit and the gate is open from sunrise to sunset. For more information, contact Bedwell Bayfront Park at (650) 330-2239 or visit https://menlopark.gov/Parks/Bedwell-Bayfront-Park.
