Sunnyvale Bay Trail — Attraction in Sunnyvale

My commute to work. Way better than any road, even though it is longer. A long detour out into the bay around the North end of Moffett field adds unnecessary length. The main gates closed means bike and pedestrian traffic must all squeeze through small gates off to the side. I would prefer pavement to the dusty deconstructed granite (like coarse sand), but this is supposed to be more eco friendly. Passing by the Orwellian named Water pollution control plant and other sections can be smelly. Clouds of gnats at times. That's why only 4 stars. Great for a peaceful mindful ride to start or end the day. Plenty of wildlife: shorebirds, rabbits, birds, squirrels. Beware of the occasional skunk when traveling at night! Passed within 12 feet of a Golden Eagle perched on a fence post once. What a huge bird. locked gaze with me. It had no fear. Wish I had my phone out to get a picture, but was in the moment. Bonus is plane spotting. The trail has a great view of Moffett field air traffic- often a C130 Herc will fly circuits. Also get to watch SFO traffic turning base and final; and SJC traffic...

I like this place for an evening/sunset run, but it's a little odd. You park at a water treatment plant and the trail (northbound) follows the backside of Lockheed Martin, a golf course, nasa, and Google campuses. The bay itself can also get VERY stinky (think rotting algae & dead fish), but when the wind is going the right direction its not bad. If you're cool with those things, the sunset light on the bay and the cool selection of birds that hang out in the area (I frequently see egrets, herons, turkey vultures, some variety of sand pipers, swallows, ducks, geese, and gangs of pelicans) make it a nice place to walk or run or bike. I've never found the trail very busy and I like the relative solitude.

If wind is low there are big ol' swarms of gnats in the evening, so if you're biking you might want some...

I was pleasantly surprised by the Sunnyvale Bay Trail! It’s amazing to see how they’ve transformed what used to be a landfill into a beautiful walking and biking trail. The trail itself is well-maintained, with lovely views of the bay and surrounding wetlands — perfect for a peaceful walk, jog, or bike ride.

One thing I really liked is how open and quiet it felt. Even on a Sunday afternoon, it wasn’t crowded at all, so it’s a great spot if you’re looking for some quiet time in nature without having to go far.

The only downside is that there isn’t a lot of parking available, so finding a spot might be tricky, especially during busier times. But overall, it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area and want to enjoy some fresh air and...