There’s a section of the I-580, just before you cross the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, where cyclists can ride along the shoulder of the highway. I’ve always wondered why anyone would brave this busy little stretch of road, so I did a little research and found out that you can pedal to Pt. Molate. (It’s a 35-mile round trip from Oakland.) This is a former naval fuel depot which is closed to the public, so I saw a lot of “No Trespassing” signs along the way.

There’s actually a short climb that leads up to the old government outpost, so you’re greeted with stunning views of Mt. Tam and the bay once you reach the top. For the rest of the ride, you’re pretty much stuck on the main road although there’s one small section that you can hike to get a better view of the naval fuel depot and the waterfront. There was a minimal amount of traffic, which I’m guessing was headed to the gun ranges and the Point San Pablo Yacht Harbor. The public beach is also now closed; I’m hoping they’ll reopen some of the waterfront property since it’s a beautiful area and would be a lovely place for a summer picnic.