Bahia Open Space, Novato 11/6/18

ELECTION DAY - BE SURE TO VOTE on 11/6/18

For our next hike we'll head north to the Novato area and do some birdwatching on a portion of the Marin County Open Space lands. (Click here for a recap of our 2009 hike. Click here for photos taken on past hikes in this area.)

Here's Wendy's description of the outing: "This is a wonderful birding area! I'll bring a spotting scope, but bring binoculars if you have them. (If you don't have any, I have extras I can loan you.) We usually see about ten species of ducks, as well as stilts, avocets, grebes, raptors and shorebirds.”

Directions to trailhead: Take Highway 101 and exit on Atherton Avenue in Novato. Go east, until Bugeia Lane splits left and Atherton goes right. Take Bugeia which becomes Bahia and park at the end of the street.

(Click here for a Google Maps map showing the trailhead location. Click on the teardrop icon to get driving directions and estimated driving time from your location). 

Driving time from College of Marin: 35 minutes. No restrooms at trailhead, but Dick Jordan suggests using one at Starbuck's in the Vintage Oaks Shopping Center just south of downtown Novato where you can also pick up beverages and food items if you need them. See the note at the bottom for more information about restrooms, courtesy of Janice Low.

Carpoolers used to meet at the Terra Linda Park & Ride lot on the east side of Highway 101 at the Smith Ranch Road exit. This Park & Ride has permanently closed. The next closest Park & Ride is in Novato. (Click here for a Google Maps map showing the Park & Ride location in Novato. Click on the teardrop icon to get, directions and estimated driving from your location.)

Weather forecast: As of Wednesday, November 1st, the weather forecast for this hike was sunny with a high near 80. (Click here for an updated National Weather Service forecast).

More on this hike: Hiking in this particular areas isn't covered by any of the trail guides which I have, but you can click here for the Marin County Open Space District's description of the Rush Creek area.

This map shows the route we generally follow.

Here's the hike profile.

More restroom information from Janice Low:

Re: Public bathrooms near Bahia:

1.Trader Joe's and Starbucks along with two gas stations (Shell and Chevron) are located on Redwood Blvd and Olive.

Directions:  Take the Atherton/San Marin turn off from HWY 101.  Redwood Blvd is just West  of the freeway.

Drive south on Redwood three (or four) blocks and you will see the corner with the gas stations and Starbucks.

To get to Bahia, return to Redwood and go north.  Turn right, going over the freeway and straight into Atherton Ave.

Then follow Wendy's directions again.

2. Whole Foods is right off the DeLong Exit from HWY 101.  It's immediately on the west side before crossing any street.  

You'll need to find the public parking entrance t o access the store.

To get to Bahia, go back to Hwy 101 and go North one freeway exit to Atherton.  Follow Wendy's directions again.

Tuesday Members Only: If you miss any of the above, you can come to my house in Bahia.  There's all vinyl floors on the way to my bathroom.

I'm 604 Andale Avenue.  Proceed two minutes on Topaz.  At the second mini-park (with the rail fence) turn right onto Andale Avenue. Click here for a Google Map showing the location.

 I'll wait until 9:30 to leave..