Imagine lacing up your shoes in the baylands east of Redwood City, walking west and traveling all the way up and over the Santa Cruz mountains, and crossing four north-south running regional trails on your way to the Pacific Ocean. The possibility of making this extraordinary trek on what we are calling the “Bay to Sea Trail” is becoming more and more likely.
While the entire 40-mile trip may seldom be traveled in one fell swoop, a trail of this nature would be a boon to the many communities living along its path using local segments. Giving people who live in urban areas the access and opportunity to experience a continuous trail from the San Francisco Bay across the Peninsula to the Pacific Ocean has been a vision of POST’s for decades. POST is sponsoring the Bay to Sea Trail Feasibility Study and has been hard at work protecting land along the Bay to Sea Trail’s route in coordination with a variety of dedicated partners who share this vision.
The development of the Bay to Sea Trail is a long-term planning and implementation effort that will adhere to the following principles:
Incorporate considerations for all trail user groups including hikers, cyclists, equestrians, families, those with mobility impairments, and others. Where appropriate and feasible, design a trail that combines all trail use options together in a shared experience with clear understanding of how to navigate the shared route.
Provide safer and more inviting pedestrian and bike networks that connect local destinations such as libraries, schools, playgrounds, local parks, markets, and public transit with regional open space and recreation areas. Increased foot and bike traffic further supports local businesses and enhances a sense of safety in the public realm.
Include street improvements such as safer crossings, lighting, protected pathways, and wayfinding and educational signage. Improve facilities in existing parks and recreational areas with multilingual signage, restrooms, and accessibility improvements.
Support community health by improving access to nature and open space, especially for communities that have historically had limited access to these resources. Encourage active transportation choices and create tree-lined corridors that mitigate climate impacts such as urban heat.
The development of the Bay to Sea Trail is a long-term planning and implementation effort that will adhere to the following principles:
Incorporate considerations for all trail user groups including hikers, cyclists, equestrians, families, those with mobility impairments, and others. Where appropriate and feasible, design a trail that combines all trail use options together in a shared experience with clear understanding of how to navigate the shared route.
Provide safer and more inviting pedestrian and bike networks that connect local destinations such as libraries, schools, playgrounds, local parks, markets, and public transit with regional open space and recreation areas. Increased foot and bike traffic further supports local businesses and enhances a sense of safety in the public realm.
Include street improvements such as safer crossings, lighting, protected pathways, and wayfinding and educational signage. Improve facilities in existing parks and recreational areas with multilingual signage, restrooms, and accessibility improvements.
Support community health by improving access to nature and open space, especially for communities that have historically had limited access to these resources. Encourage active transportation choices and create tree-lined corridors that mitigate climate impacts such as urban heat.
This project is supported by POST. To learn more and get updates about POST’s work, sign up for their email list or follow them on social media.