Eckley Pier

With green rolling hills, eucalyptus groves, and views of Vallejo, Benicia, and beyond, Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline's 1,415 acres of open space is a beautiful place to spend some time. Hiking trails spread around the park along with viewpoints and fishing piers.

One such fishing spot is Eckley Pier. Once the site of a small village, brick-making plant, and the famous Garden City Ferry, the area now features a park with an open grassy area, a half-dozen picnic tables, and the remnants of an old brick structure. From the park you can climb up into the hills for expansive views and colorful wildflowers. Or cross the train tracks leading to the C&H Sugar factory to the pier itself.

If fishing is your game, from the pier you can catch sturgeon, striped bass, or even sharks. There are covered seats and garbage cans. Once on the pier, look to your left to see the remnants of the old wooden pier and the Garden City Ferry, originally built in 1879. Not much is left of the passenger and freight train ferry after it caught fire in the 1970s.

The park is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.