Belmont: Waterdog Lake Park

I had occasion to hike one of the trails at Waterdog Lake Park in Belmont over the weekend. Having lived on the Peninsula my whole life, I am ashamed to say it is the first time I have done so, even though my daughter lives and works just above one of the trails. But when we went over to Sawyer Camp Trail, which runs along Crystal Springs Reservoir, it was jam packed with people and we had to go to Plan B: Waterdog Lake Park. Waterdog Lake is a small lake (a pond, really) set in a canyon and surrounded primarily by single-family homes and apartments. The walk from Lyall Way to Lake Road is about 1.5 miles (3 miles round trip) on the Blue Trail and it was not busy on a Saturday morning; a few cyclists, a man with his dog, and a fisherman down at the algae-covered lake/pond. There are other trails, should you like a steeper, longer, more adventurous route. It is a pleasant way to spend time, and only moderately strenuous, with various wildlife visible: deer, squirrel, lizards, and more.

The homes in this area tend to be larger, two story, and built in the 1960s and 1970s. Here are four that are in proximity to the walking trails:

14 Arroyo View Circle, 3/2.5, 1520 sf, $875,000
This is a newer development (1998) consisting of attached single family homes. Well maintained and quiet, there is some open space, and units have patios and balconies. This home has been on the market 10 days and last sold in 2002 for $661,000. Two similar units (with 1/2 less bath) sold in June of this year, one for $870,000 and one for $835,000. OPEN Sunday 9/7 from 1:30-4:30.

2827 Hallmark Drive, 4/2, $1,099,998
This property fell out of contract and is back on the market. On .25 acres, it was built in 1966 and has a remodeled kitchen, as well as other updates. Has not been on the market in 10 years.

2757 Comstock, 5/3.5, 3200 sf, $1,374,000
This home has been on the market for 69 days and has only reduced its price once, 3 weeks ago, and it was only 1.8%. It’s a good-sized family home situated on a 10,469 sf lot. Built in 1965, it doesn’t appear to have seen many upgrades/updates, other than a large sunroom addition.

2884 Wakefield, 4/2.5, 2495 sf, $1,499,000
Bright, sunny home located on 1/3 acre with large terraced yard. On the market 108 days, the price has been reduced once from $1,550,000 (3.3%).

To get to Waterdog Lake Park, take Highway 92 to Ralston Avenue and travel east on Ralston until you hit Hallmark Drive. Turn right on Hallmark and continue a short distance downhill to Lake Road. Turn Left on lake and park. Enter through the gate. Alternately, there is access further down Ralston, off Lyall Way.