San Francisco - East Bay
Thanks to an extensive canal system and a couple of converted railway beds connecting its towns, Contra Costa County is an ideal in-line skating destination in the East Bay. You could even skate several 20-mile days in a row here without seeing the same trail twice. Many of the trails are in the valleys nestled under the western base of Mount Diablo, which can be seen in the distance from most of the places described in this chapter. Views from the top of Mount Diablo on a very clear day (you can drive up) extend all the way across the central valley to the peaks of the Sierra Nevada.
Closer to the shores of the San Francisco Bay, towns such as Berkeley, Richmond, and others overlooking the Carquinez Strait make it possible to skate within view of the water, the bay bridges, and even the dramatic San Francisco and Oakland skylines. Expect breezy and cool weather near the bay, even in the summer.
Alameda County makes up the other half of this region, with several choice skating locations not far from the Interstate 880 and 580 corridors. The Alameda Creek Trail, connecting the village of Niles with the southern edge of the bay, offers a prime opportunity to skate nonstop for seven miles without hitting a single intersection.
