Welcome to Drains to the Bay, a walking guide to Bay Area creeks.
Early settlements sprouted up around sources of water. As these towns grew into cities, water features have often been obscured, fenced off or channeled underground. Once, a creek doubled as a trail, a dependable route from mountain to sea (or bay). Today, it is easy to get lost; following an urban creek requires a series of meanders and detours, a trek many times its natural length, often without water in sight.
Where is the creek in your neighborhood? Do you know where it leads?