Garin Regional Park — Attraction in Hayward

this place is great, has a good sized parking lot (I think the fee was about $5-7), real bathrooms next to the parking lot, and some great trail options offering impressive views of the bay. dogs can be off-leash once you get out onto the trails. Dog owners: just know there are cows there! So if your dog likes rolling in "cow pies," like mine does, they will roll in many at this park, and it is gross. If they are terrified of cows, like I found out mine was, they will either get chased by cows, or if you put them on leash to pass the cows, they will refuse to walk so that you have to carry them (and this is AFTER they've rolled in cow pies). And it doesn't matter that the cows have the run of the land, they will hover near the trail so at some point you WILL have to pass them in close proximity! Just be ready! So I want to love this park, but I usually end up leaving it with a disgusting smelly dog where we've had a run in or two with some huffy cows. And yes I could put him on leash the whole time, but what...

I go to this park often because my cross country team has their meets here. There is a bathroom and an outhouse in front. There is a small lake. There is a picnic area up on a hill where I have seen Afghan men flying kites. There are often families here on the weekend having barbecues. The last time I was there I saw a girl taking quincennera pictures with her limo and well-dressed attendants. Two weeks ago I saw a huge tarantula (for the first time ever) and last week I saw a small snake. There are many ground squirrels/gophers. The small lake has ducks and fish. Parking at the Garin Ave. entrance costs $5 when the booth is manned - usually 8:30 to 5?. There is no charge to park at the Dry Creek staging area, but then you have to hike to the main park with its lake and facilities. The park closes at sunset. There is a campground area with outhouses which is good for small group overnight camping. Up on the hill you get a nice panoramic view of...

We recently hiked in the park on the Garden Lane Trail (accessed from Hayward Blvd/Garden Lane at the north end of the park) to the Ukraina Loop Trail. It is about 2.6 miles with 185' of elevation gain. The views of the Bay are fantastic from the trail. The first 1/2 mile or so is paved, making for easy walking. At about 1 mile there is a creek to cross. It was running pretty good after the recent rain, but was easily crossed. The far south section of the Ukraina Loop Trail was very wet and muddy, so be aware if there has been recent rain. We saw a group of about 4 wild turkeys.

There is a vault toilet about 3/4 mile from the start of the trail. It was clean and well maintained.

It was very quiet and peaceful and...