3 Best Hiking Trails in Vallejo, CA

“Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve offers a unique experience and is spread across a space of 300 acres. This nature preserve overlooks Carquinez Bay, featuring a stunning landscape with native grasses and views. This is a 3.6-mile loop trail, which is generally considered an easy route. The trail takes around 1 hour to complete. Annual events, such as the Flyway Festival and Nightmare Island, along with nature walks, raise funds for the preserve, which is solely donation-based. Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve is open year-round and offers beautiful scenery. Moreover, the trail features facilities like a wheelchair-accessible parking lot, kid-friendly hikes, and public restrooms for the convenience of the visitors.”

“2026 Highlights: Cullinan Ranch Trail at San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge offers a peaceful walk through one of Northern California’s largest restored tidal marsh landscapes. This easy, mostly flat trail features expansive views of wetlands, sloughs, and San Pablo Bay, making it an excellent destination for birdwatching, wildlife photography, and nature walks. Visitors may spot herons, egrets, ducks, shorebirds, raptors, and other native wildlife while enjoying the quiet surroundings. Open daily from sunrise to sunset, the trail provides a relaxing outdoor experience and a chance to explore the refuge’s ongoing wetland restoration and conservation efforts.”

“Benicia State Recreation Area covers over 447 acres, featuring marshy areas, grassy hillsides, and rocky beaches along the narrowest part of the Carquinez Strait. The trail is located 7.7 miles from Vallejo. This is a great place to experience a pleasant and relaxed time with friends and family. Cyclists, runners, walkers, equestrians, and roller skaters enjoy the miles of road and bike paths. Additionally, the trail offers great opportunities for picnicking, bird watching, and fishing. Three "route" campsites are available for overnight stays on a "first-come, first-served" basis with no reservations available. Benicia State Recreation Area also includes facilities like wheelchair-accessible parking, Barbecue grills, Picnic tables, and Kid-friendly hikes for visitors' comfort.”