Eckley Pier

** The following review reflects my experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. ** Listen, if I was a fisherman, I'm sure I'd be in halibut heaven at this pier. Even though it's about twenty years old, this is no ramshackle wooden extension into the Carquinez Strait. Remnants of that tarnished image can be seen on the left. This one is made of concrete and built with brushed metal mesh railings. For those of us who know fish only through our sushi orders, there are nice views of the Carquinez Bridge and the C&H Sugar Factory if you can walk around the constant fishermen. There's also a pleasant park with picnic tables, and it serves as the starting point for the Bull Valley Trail which leads up into the hills and ends in Port Costa. Pretty, unexpected spot and worth a well intentioned nature walk.RELATED - Exploring this part of Contra Costa County? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3gi6Yin

Behind the surrounding hills and mountains is where you'll find Eckley Pier, which is a bit of a detour from the more popular tourist destinations. Even so, going there is not a waste of time because the scenery is beautiful in every direction. You can, of course, look out over the bridge, but you can also look forward at Marin county and get an interesting vantage point on some of the city's skyline.When I went there early on a Saturday morning, it was relatively quiet, and there were only a few people spread out across the area. There is no question that there is more activity at the pier; however, at certain times of day, it is wonderful for going for a little bit of a stroll and engaging in some reflective solitude.At the entrance to the railroad yard, there was a massive sign. I believe it came from OEHHA. It was an advisory for coastal waters of California, with the exception of enclosed bays and coastal areas that already had advice. The reason for the advisory was the presence of mercury and PCBs in the fish that were caught in these areas. Since there are a lot of people fishing in this area, the sign is probably meant for those people. It doesn't really bother me that much because I can never fish, or rather, fishes never eat my baits, if I'm honest.

I don't know why people keep complaining about this place, it's wild and with 2 potty pots, but it's what it is. You can't just ask for it to be well-maintained in the middle of nowhere, or to have a clean and working restroom. If you want to explore the shoreline and enjoy your fishing day with your buddies, here is the place!

Beautiful pier, am out there right now for a job, and went back on my day off and it is worth the trip, gorgeous view and right on the bay to top it off.

3 stars because the place I deem unsafe now (2024). I've fished this pier since it was built (over 20 years). Xmas eve my car got broken into while I was parked in the 10 minute zone in front of the pier. Someone in the parking lot above got hit as well. It was around 4pm, a bit before sunset. Smash and grab. One guy kept the engine running while the other broke the window, reached in, and took whatever was in the glovebox and valet. I saw them, but I was too far away to get to them. EBRP needs to install cameras so these perps can be caught by license plate #s. The isolation of this place is what these thieves are taking advantage of. While you are walking your dog, fishing, or walking in that bull staging area, thieves are busy busting your window! And they will bust your window whether or not you have anything of value in plain view!