Local leaders gathered Friday to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Point Molate Bay Trail Extension Project, a 2.5-mile extension of the San Francisco Bay Trail stretching from Point Molate Beach Park to the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.
The extended trail will expand public access at Point Molate, according to East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) General Manager Sabrina Landreth.
The trail extension is a collaboration involving EBRPD, the City of Richmond, and Chevron Richmond. The city owns 1.25 miles of the project area, while 1.1 miles is located on Chevron property. Chevron Richmond donated a trail easement enabling public access to its land from the foot of the eastern shore of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge to Pt Molate Beach Park.
“It’s been over a decade since we started working with EPRPD to identify access points and donate an easement. It’s exciting to be getting closer to giving the public better access to the beautiful Richmond shoreline,” said Brian Hubinger, corporate affairs manager at Chevron Richmond.
Once complete, the Point Molate Bay Trail Extension will feature an all-weather, multi‑use, ADA‑compliant path, providing access to parking, restrooms, and picnic areas at Point Molate Beach Park. Bench seating will line the route to offer spots for rest and scenic enjoyment.
Beyond the trail itself, the project will restore and enhance shoreline habitats at multiple locations and install interpretive exhibit panels that highlight the cultural history of Castro Point and Point Molate Beach.
“This project is significant to our community as a first step in providing access to a truly iconic future regional park at Point Molate,” Park District Board Director Elizabeth Echols said.
Funded at $13.1 million, the project draws support from EBRPD Measures CC, FF, and WW, the City of Richmond, the California State Coastal Conservancy, the California Natural Resources Board, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, and California State Parks.
Construction is scheduled to get underway in the coming weeks.
