Eaton Park: A Hidden Hiker’s Gem in San Carlos

I took advantage of the stellar weather this past weekend (and a break in my schedule) to sneak in a hike at my favorite park in San Carlos: Eaton Park. As I was gleefully criss-crossing the verdant canyons that comprise Eaton Park, I was amazed by how few people I saw in the park for such a beautiful day. But that isn't an unusual occurrence – I hike this park quite often, and I rarely see more than a handful of people in the entire park.

This is a shame, because Eaton Park has so much to offer anyone who is looking to get outside for some fresh air and exercise while avoiding the hassle of parking and crowded trails that you would normally encounter at Edgewood Park or Pulgas Ridge.

Trails, Bridges, and Views.

The City of San Carlos, along with lots of volunteers, did an excellent job planning and cutting the trails in this canyon. There are numerous loops that all connect together in one fashion or another, which means you can create custom hikes on different days, and never really get bored of the place.

Some trails are on the steeper side, while others are more of a gradual slope, but they all generally point uphill. The path from the trailhead at the end of Eaton Avenue that takes you to the breathtaking views at Loma Road is a bit challenging, with quite a few switchbacks to navigate — but the view is worth it! There is also a more circuitous route that takes you around the perimeter of the park that is not quite as steep, but is still enough to get the ticker going.

Regardless of which loop you take, you'll see lovely scenery with quaint foot bridges to cross like these:

Once you navigate beautiful trails, bridges, and switchbacks, you emerge at the top of the park near the Loma Road trailhead, and you're treated to incredible views of the entire Bay Area, such as these:

There are several convenient access points to this park. There are trailheads at the very end of Eaton Avenue, Tramanto Drive, and Loma Road. Additionally, there is a connection to the park right across the street from Big Canyon Park on Brittan Avenue.

That means, for you ambitious hikers, you can easily link Eaton and Big Canyon parks together to make a loop that exceeds six glorious miles of hills and views.

Another cool perk? Both Eaton Park and Big Canyon Park are the only hiking parks aside from Pulgas Ridge that are dog-friendly. Yes, you can bring the pooches with you for your adventure, but they must be kept on a leash.

If You Go.

Here are some key things to keep in mind when you prepare to hike this park:

• There are no bathrooms or garbage cans in the park. That means you should “go before you go”, or be ready to utilize nature.
• Dogs are allowed, but they must be on leash. And because of the lack of garbage receptacles, you need to dispose of any poop bags that you use. Please don't leave them in the park.
• The terrain is definitely not flat, so wear appropriate shoes. You don't need hiking boots – even running shoes will suffice, but I don't recommend flip-flops.
• Bring water and a protein snack. The terrain is challenging enough to break a good sweat, and you can reward yourself with a treat at the top.

I look forward to seeing you on one of these fabulous trails!