Contact Us

Email Us

Mail us a letter

San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society
P.O. Box 234, Newark, CA 94560-0234
Phone: (408) 515-1889

Visit us at the Refuge

Visitor Center at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

2 Marshlands Rd, Fremont, CA 94555
510-792-0222 (Please leave a message on this number as this line may be answered on weekdays only.)
Hours: Gate hours, at 1 Marshlands Rd, Fremont: 7am-7pm
Refuge trails open Sunrise to Sunset. (You may exit shortly after sunset. Exit is not blocked. Beware of tire puncture device to prevent entry through the exit lane.)
Closed on all federal holidays.


View Larger Map

Driving directions to the Visitor Center at Fremont, CA

From Highway 84 (at the east end of the Dumbarton Bridge near the toll plaza), exit at Thornton Avenue. Travel south on Thornton Avenue for 0.8 miles to the Refuge entrance on the right. Turn right into the Refuge and follow signs to the parking lot. The Visitor Center is located by the first parking lot to your right.

The Visitor Center overlooks the restored LaRiviere Marsh, where birds can be seen in the tidal wetlands, along an interpretive board walk trail. Inside you will find wildlife exhibits, an audiovisual room with an interactive display to identify the wildlife you may see, and a Nature Store. Proceeds from the sale of books, toys, T-shirts and other educational items benefit the Refuge's educational programs. Outside, walk the trails to enjoy the San Francisco Baylands environment, local native plants, and protected wildlife. A short walk leads up a small hill, with views over miles of salt marsh, tidal sloughs, mudflats, and salt ponds; or down to the wetlands bordering the bay, where you can learn about local native plants, rest in the pavilion, and explore the history and wildlife of the area. Please call 510-792-0222 and leave a message, for further information.



Environmental Education Center at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

1751 Grand Blvd, Alviso, CA 95002
Hours: Gate hours at 1751 Grand Blvd, San Jose: generally 7am-3pm or 5pm, but entrance may be blocked due to heavy construction traffic near the Environmental Education Center. The EEC Building and many nearby trails are closed.
Sundays are the best day to visit.
Closed on all federal holidays.


View Larger Map

Driving directions to the Environmental Education Center at Alviso, CA

From I-880 or Highway 101, exit on Highway 237 toward Alviso. Turn north onto Zanker Road. Continue on Zanker Road to the Environmental Education Center entrance road (a sharp right turn at Grand Blvd.) The distance from 237 to the entrance road is 2.1 miles.

The Environmental Education Center at the southern end of San Francisco Bay is surrounded by uplands, marshes, salt ponds, and a freshwater tidal slough. The building, designed for education, contains two classrooms, an auditorium, and an enclosed observation tower. Trails and a new boardwalk through the seasonal wetland habitat make it easy to see and explore the natural wonders of the South Bay. The Environmental Education Center is open by reservation to school field trip groups Monday - Friday. Please call about weekend interpretive programs! It is closed on all national holidays. Please call 408-262-5513 in advance to verify hours. The trails are open 7 days a week from sunrise to sunset. If the gates are locked please park and walk in to enjoy the trails.