Garin Regional Park

Garin Regional Park sits in the hills above Hayward on a former 19th-century ranch, and with neighboring Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park it protects more than 5,800 acres with over 20 miles of unpaved trails, many suitable for bikes. In the 1880s the ranch was known for festival days that drew guests from across the county. That history is on display at the Garin Red Barn Visitor Center, which has a blacksmith shop, a tool shop, ranching exhibits, and antique farm machinery outside.

Jordan Pond has a fishing pier built in 1987 with help from local Lions Clubs and holds naturally reproducing largemouth bass, bluegill, and sunfish, and anglers 16 and older need a state license. Near the Garin Avenue entrance are family picnic sites and four large group areas, plus the Arroyo Flats group campsite for 25 to 75 people by reservation. Kite flying is limited to the kite field, and drones and other remote-controlled craft are not allowed.

Cattle graze the park, so dogs must be leashed in parking lots, picnic areas, lawns, and playfields, kept under voice control elsewhere, and heeled or leashed when passing cattle. Accessible restrooms are by the Garin Barn, and parking is $5 per vehicle when the kiosk is staffed. The entrance is at the top of Garin Avenue off Mission Boulevard.