Recreation and Activities

The refuge is open year-round during daylight hours. Check with the refuge office for the latest update on trail closures, wildlife concerns, maintenance, and management activities.

For 2008, we are offering a series of fall events at the refuge. All of the events are free, but require pre-registration, so call us now to save your spot!

• September 27- Public Lands Day: Join people all around the country who are working together to help wildlife and the environment. All ages welcome.
• October 9- Habitat Restoration Work Party: Come work with our restoration team. Bring your work gloves and help us plant natives at the refuge. Suitable for ages 9 and older.
• October 25- Fishing Day at the Ranch: Even though our Ranch doesn’t have fishing facilities, we’ll share some “tools” you can use on your next fishing trip at this activity-based workshop designed especially for kids. All ages welcome.
• November 15- Second Annual Pilgrim Planting! Help us in our efforts to restore and enhance natural habitat for wildlife on the refuge. Suitable for ages 9 and older.
• December 6- “Holly Days” for the Birds: Learn about wintering birds of the area and the native plants they enjoy. Find out what you can do to help wild birds in your own backyard. Make a winter bird treat to take home. All ages welcome.

Call the education intern at (510) 792-4275 x 42 for reservations or further information about our fall programs. Other questions about our education program can be directed to Tia Glagolev, Environmental Education Specialist at (510) 792-4275 x 36 or e-mail tia_glagolev@fws.gov

Boat access to the open water and navigable sloughs of San Pablo Bay provides opportunities for fishing on the refuge. Fishing by boat is allowed in the open bay and navigable sloughs of the refuge.

Boat launching is not available on the refuge, but boat ramps are available at the Vallejo public marina near Brinkmans Marine and at Port Sonoma near the Petaluma River. Fishing from shore is not allowed. Please contact the refuge for additional information.

Hunting is allowed on designated areas of the refuge during respective seasons subject to both State and Federal regulations. Boat access to the open water and navigable sloughs of San Pablo Bay provides opportunities for hunting on the refuge.

Boat launching is not available on the refuge, but boat ramps are available at the Vallejo public marina near Brinkmans Marine and at Port Sonoma near the Petaluma River. Please contact the refuge for additional information.

All visitors are invited to enjoy interpretive activities at the refuge, which include scheduled events and self-guided walks at Tolay Creek and Cullinan Ranch.

Fall, winter, and spring offer the best opportunities to observe concentrations of migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, and raptors. One of the best places to see wildlife is the Lower Tubbs Island Trail, which provides a spectacular view of San Pablo Bay, its wildlife habitat, and numerous tidal marsh species.

Starting in September, waterbirds begin to arrive from their northern breeding grounds. From November through January, peak numbers of diving ducks and shorebirds, including canvasback, scaup, scoter, bufflehead, ruddy duck, goldeneyes, sandpipers, plovers, dowitchers, willets, godwits, and curlews, can be seen using the bay's wetlands.

Raptors, such as red-tailed hawks, white-tailed kites, northern harriers, and American kestrels, are abundant from November through January. They can be seen hunting over the refuge's marshes and on adjacent agricultural fields. A sharp observer may spot a peregrine falcon pursuing a shorebird on the edge of the bay. By May, most of these migrants move north to nest, while residents and visitors from the south nest on the refuge. Nesting species on the refuge include black-necked stilt, mallard, and gadwall. Migrant nesters from the south include Caspian terns and barn swallows. A variety of resident gulls, herons, egrets, and perching birds can be seen year-round nesting on or adjacent to the refuge. Non-breeding white pelicans are commonly observed during summer and stay into the fall. Established trails at the Tolay Creek and Cullinan Ranch units provide the best wildlife observation and photography opportunities during these seasons. Restrooms and drinking water are available at the refuge office during regular office hours. No restrooms, picnic areas, campgrounds, drinking water, or other facilities are available at the Tolay Creek or Cullinan Ranch Units. Due to the sensitive nature of the wildlife living on the refuge, and for protection of endangered species, pets are not allowed.

Click here for a bird list of the area >>