Hercules Market Hall - Mar. 12, '11

Walking Distance: 1 mile
Walking Time: 1 hr., 25 min. (2:05 - 3:30 p.m.) includes two stops
Start and End Point: Public parking lot, San Pablo Ave., Hercules, CA

I realized I'd skipped part of San Pablo Avenue, from Sycamore Ave. to the end of Highway 4. (Highway 4 is also known as John Muir Parkway.)

So, today I returned to walk these few blocks, and also to stop in at the Hercules Market Hall, a unique development with some interesting stalls, shops, and a children's play area. Food and drink vendors include Shaw's Texas Style BBQ and Moschetti espresso. There was a bocci ball court, an outdoor theater space; and a farmer's market is scheduled to resume there in May 2011, barring any local budget cuts. Funding reductions are being felt in several Bay Area towns I've passed through. I hope this small Market space will be able to continue. It seems well-suited for several different types of community activities.


Following my stop at The Market Hall, I crossed San Pablo Ave. (please cross at the light carefully, as cars coming off Highway 4 are not always paying attention); and I walked to the end of Highway 4/John Muir Parkway.

While not part of the Bay Trail, the Western tail end of John Muir Parkway was a peaceful stretch to walk on a weekend. The road dead ended within a few long blocks of the San Francisco Bay. Given the presence of earth-moving equipment (and the dirt colored pad/area seen in Google Maps snapshot (upper edge of image, above right) at the end of the road, close to the Bay, I suspect this area will be further developed soon.

I'm not sure what all this development will mean for this ladybug that I passed on the sidewalk, or the rest of the birds, butterflies, and other wildlife in the area. I'll be curious to return a few years from now to find out.

I hope the city also continues to make this busy interchange pedestrian friendly, as I think this might help direct more traffic to The Market space as well.

Wildlife Sightings:
1 ladybug; 4 pillbugs; 2 crows; 3 red-winged blackbirds; 4 little brown jobs (LBJs); 5 white butterflies