Benicia State Recreation Area to Carquinez Overlook is a 8.7 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Benicia, California that offers scenic views and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round.
This is a wonderful coastal trail with several different options, paved and gravel trails. You can see beautiful views of the ocean and bridge from Dillon Point west to the Carquinez Bridge overlook. Please note that there is a parking fee at the Benicia State Recreation Area. Accessibility: Part of these trails on the east side are considered wheelchair and stroller accessible, such as along the paved Dillon Point Road and the first 0.3 miles of the Carniquez Strait Trail. The most accessible portions can be viewed on their own trail page here: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/sf-bay-trail-military-west-and-carquinez-strait-loop-accessible
February 22, 2021February 19, 2021Nice trail, very pretty walk. We started at the botanic garden parking lot, cutting out the trail all along the road. Then went further past the end of the trail along the shoreline to the Glen Cove Club House. 
February 14, 2021January 31, 2021Great trail
December 20, 2020December 19, 2020December 18, 2020December 16, 2020December 15, 2020December 11, 2020December 9, 2020December 9, 2020November 11, 2020October 5, 2020I chose to start at the Carquinez Bridge end of the trail, where there was free parking on the street (Waterview Terrace). The trail recommends starting at the entrance to Benicia State Recreational Area, where there is a $6 charge ($5 for seniors) for a daypass and parking. If I were doing this again, I'd cut the hike short, because the stretch from the entrance to the real trails is along a rather uninteresting Dillon Point Road, where there are cars and bikes (although not heavily trafficked on a weekday). Apart from that stretch, it is possible to avoid roadways for the most part (there is one other stretch near Glen Cove that is roadway. There are really nice views from Dillon Point west to the Carquinez Bridge overlook. No shade, though.
October 5, 2020September 27, 2020Its nice rocky but peaceful
September 26, 2020Paved and gravel. Lots of fishermen along the water.
September 1, 2020Dope
July 28, 2020Nice trail to just get mileage on , near a nice body of water
March 17, 2020January 7, 2020I half biked/half hiked this trail. Started off at W. 14th ST. biked the Bay Trail through Dillon Road and up to the the Bay Area ridge trail until I reached Glen Cove. From there I parked my bike and hiked through the rocky shore and into the Marina Harbor and up to the Carquinez Bridge overlook trail which had great views of the bridge and the strait. There I saw the aftermath of the 2019 Glen Cove fire.
January 7, 2020Started at Rose Dr overcross ($6.00 parking fee in park!). Paved road to the end but you can walk on the shoulders. Took the shore trail and it became VERY rocky. Birds, fishermen and kayakers enjoying the shoreline. Made it to the Benicia Park trail overland back to the paved road. Very peaceful walk up to a man on his blue tooth complaining loudly about his investments to someone! Love this hike!
November 22, 2019A beautiful walk at Benicia State Park today. I checked out the Benicia trail and found it to be quiet and pleasant with easy hills to climb. Impressive Panoramic views of Mt Diablo and the Carquienez Strait. Some parts were isolated and probably not a good idea for solo females to hike up there without carrying protection. I had my stun gun and glad I did because when I went down to the rocks on the Vallejo side, a man I passed several minutes before had circled around and was walking out on the rocks toward me and I had no where I could go. Luckily, I made the man aware of my stun gun and he decided to walk the other way. Otherwise, this park is a great local park to get a little exercise in. It cost $6 for parking and the paved road is about 1.5 miles which you can walk, cycle, roller blade or walk dogs on a leash. This park is patrolled often so if you go with your dog off leash you most likely will get a fine. Last, If you do bring your dog, be aware there are lots of ticks and foxtail! Message of the day: Don’t sweat the small stuff in life. “If someone doesn’t recognize your beauty inside and out, there will always be someone who will. Always Seek the ones who are not blind”.
November 20, 2019A beautiful & fabulous fall day at Benicia Recreational State Park walking my adorable border collie! This park has many wonderful activities one can do, such as cycling, hiking, fishing and walking dogs. The path is mostly paved until you go up in to the hills. We didn’t do the hills today because of the large amounts of foxtail and it’s too risky for our dog. If you keep your dog on the paved trail you should be fine and not come in contact with the foxtail. There are many Panoramic views from the park. You can see Mt Diablo, Martinez, Crockett and the Vallejo Bridge. This part of the Carquinez strait is definitely nice for kayaking as well. The botanical gardens is open and free and I have spent hours in the past learning about the various indigenous plants that can potentially make a wonderful drought tolerant garden at your home.
August 31, 2019Nice trail. Wouldn’t be able to do part of it if there was high tide as you walk on the rocky shoreline. Few steep hills once you get up to the bridge but beautiful views up there. I split this trail in half. Previously started at Benicia state park and went up to the tower and back then the following day complete the other side to get to the bridge.
August 30, 2019Did part of the trail not the entire thing. I always walk out at the Benicia state park, had no idea there was a trail up there! When you first go in it’s a little steep incline very narrow, had to use the side rocks for a little support going up. Coming down the other side was no sweat and really well paved. Will do this again earlier in the day so I can explore more up there and down by the water. I went later in the evening and didn’t want to be out there at night.
July 20, 2019Fun hike with different types of terrain. No ticks, but we were prepared for them and took precautions.
July 11, 2019
First to ReviewIt a good easy hike but once we got home we found a lot of ticks on us. I don’t think we’ll be going back anytime soon because of this. Beware! Especially if you bring your dog like we did.
