Upcoming events
PIDO organizes events such as an Earth Day Weekend volunteer work party, an annual Canine Good Citizen test, and a Barktoberfest dog costume contest around Halloween. We host free Off-leash Skills 101 sessions every quarter to help people and pets hone their off-leash dog walking skills, as well as monthly cleanups and weed pulls to keep Point Isabel tidy and safe for all. These are great opportunities to build community, pitch in, and meet fellow dog guardians and their dogs!
BARKTOBERFEST
Barktoberfest Parade & Dog Costume Contest
Sunday, October 25, 2026
Location: Point Isabel Regional Shoreline
Registration: 12 p.m. (online reg will available starting Oct. 1)
Parade: 1 p.m.
Judging, Prizes & Winners’ Photos: 1:15–2 p.m.
Meet: Field north of Sit & Stay Café/Mudpuppy’s, 1 Isabel Street, Richmond
Celebrate 25 Years of Mudpuppy’s & Sit & Stay!
This year, the operators of Mudpuppy’s Tub & Scrub and Sit & Stay Café celebrate their 25th anniversary at Point Isabel! The beloved dog wash and snack bar play a big part in making Point Isabel unique—not just within the East Bay Regional Park District, but probably worldwide.
To mark the milestone, Mudpuppy’s will co-host PIDO’s Barktoberfest Dog Costume Contest on Sunday, October 25. Participation is free this year, with space for up to 120 entries.
Mudpuppy’s is donating prizes for the contest winners, and Sit & Stay Café will serve free hot dogs for everyone in attendance (while supplies last).
Costume Contest
Pre-registration is recommended. Online registration will be open October 1-23 at https://www.pido.org/events/barktoberfest-2026
Registration for any remaining spots will begin at 12:00 p.m. on October 25 near the café. If you pre-register, please check in by 12:30 p.m. to receive your contestant number and badge.
Contest Categories
Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes in these 10 categories:
Small dogs
Medium dogs
Big dogs
Small packs (two or more small dogs)
Medium packs (two or more medium dogs)
Big packs (two or more big dogs)
Mixed packs (two or more dogs of different sizes)
Kids and their dogs
Family pack
Grand prize (from any of the categories above)
Event Schedule
12 p.m. — Registration opens for remaining spots
12:30 p.m. — Pre-registered contestants check in
1 p.m. — Short costume parade along the shoreline
1:15–2 p.m. — Judging, prizes and winners’ photos
A Little Barktoberfest History
Mudpuppy’s and PIDO go way back. In 2001, Mudpuppy’s hosted a Halloween dog costume parade and dog-washing fundraiser that raised $400 for PIDO. The following year, PIDO began organizing Barktoberfest, which has been hosted most years since.
Twenty-five years of Mudpuppy’s and Sit & Stay at Point Isabel—and decades of Barktoberfest—make this year’s celebration extra special.
Good to Know
Cost: Free
Maximum entries: 120
Pre-registration: October 1–23
Day-of registration: Begins at noon, if spots remain
Parking: Arrive early; parking may be difficult.
Weather: Rain cancels
Free hot dogs provided by MudPuppy’s: While supplies last
Come early, bring your best costume, and celebrate one of Point Isabel’s favorite traditions!
Get into the Barktoberfest spirit with official PIDO shirts and hoodies featuring our delightfully scary Barktoberfest logo. Choose from tees, long-sleeve shirts, and hoodies in festive colors—and show your PIDO pride all season long. Available for a limited time, exclusively through DGH Outfitters in Berkeley.
Order by October 15 for delivery before October 25: https://stores.inksoft.com/pido/shop/home
OFF-LEASH SKILLS 101
OFF-LEASH SKILLS 101
Professional trainer Birgit Hafermann will review essential off-leash skills, explore lesser-known techniques (such as emergency recall commands), and share tips and tricks learned by PIDO members over the years. New dog owners who want to shorten their learning curves as well as dogs and people who want to sharpen their skills are all welcome.
The class is free but limited to 10 participants. Session is held in the field near Mud Puppy’s at Point Isabel Regional Shoreline.
Registration is required below.
CANINE GOOD CITIZEN
CANINE GOOD CITIZEN LOW-COST TEST
AKC Canine Good Citizen test (nominal $20 fee to pay for certified trainer). Handler/dog teams are tested in 10 areas. Dogs who didn’t pass in 2025 may retest for free if you let us know ahead of time (email info@pido.org).
Your dog must be able to walk calmly on a loose leash, pass other dogs and people, show no extreme reactions to several levels of distractions, demonstrate smooth responses to obedience cues, and be handled by and left alone with a stranger without being stressed. Testing takes about 15 minutes.
Dog owners participating in the CGC test sign the Responsible Dog Owner’s Pledge, committing to maintain the pet’s health, safety, and quality of life. You can self-train for the tests (visit the AKC website), or attend a class. Nancy Frensley provides CGC classes and testing at Berkeley Humane (contact: Nancy@finessedogtraining.net).
Spaces are limited; email info@pido.org to reserve one, or come early to try first-come, first-served that day. Meet at field behind Mudpuppy’s, near the parking lot and café patio area. Be aware - the test will take place in an area, the “ring” - that will have a visible barrier/fence but is accessible to on- and off-leash dogs.
Photo by Lew Jacobson
Coastal Cleanup
Coastal Cleanup
Join East Bay Regional Park Disctrict for the 41st Annual Coastal Cleanup on September 19, 2026, California’s largest annual volunteer event. Help remove trash and plastic pollution at beaches and waterways throughout the Park District and earn a Coastal Cleanup patch or sticker. Special prizes for the most unusual trash collected.
If you would like to bring a group of 10 or more people, please register yourself and then call us at (510) 544-2229 or email Volunteers@ebparks.org.
Coastal Cleanup Day Locations
Bay Point Regional Shoreline(opens external link in a new tab)
Del Valle Regional Park(opens external link in a new tab)
Hayward Regional Shoreline(opens external link in a new tab)
Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline(opens external link in a new tab)
Point Pinole Regional Shoreline(opens external link in a new tab)
Pt Isabel Regional Shoreline(opens external link in a new tab)
Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area(opens external link in a new tab)
Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline(opens external link in a new tab)
Robert W Crown Regional Shoreline(opens external link in a new tab)
Supplies will be provided - simply sign up, show up, and help out. All trash will be collected at the end of the event by Park District staff.
PIDO Exec Board
PIDO Executive Board meeting
Topic: PIDO Executive Board Meeting, September 2026
Time: Thursday, September 17, 2026, 5:30 PM Pacific Time
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82587507769
Meeting ID: 825 8750 7769
Agenda: link
OFF-LEASH SKILLS 101
OFF-LEASH SKILLS 101
Professional trainer Birgit Hafermann will review essential off-leash skills, explore lesser-known techniques (such as emergency recall commands), and share tips and tricks learned by PIDO members over the years. New dog owners who want to shorten their learning curves as well as dogs and people who want to sharpen their skills are all welcome.
The class is free but limited to 10 participants. Session is held in the field near Mud Puppy’s at Point Isabel Regional Shoreline.
Registration is required below.
CLEANUP DAY
CLEANUP DAY at Point Isabel
Saturday, 11 am – 1 pm
Point Isabel is one of our community’s most beloved open spaces—and it stays that way because visitors and user groups pitch in. Join PIDO Saturday morning to help keep the park clean, safe, and beautiful by picking up litter and pulling invasive weeds.
Whether you can spare 15 minutes or stay the full two hours, your help truly makes a difference. Bring your own gloves and gardening tools or use ours. Dogs are welcome—just don’t forget water for both of you!
WHERE: Meet us between the Rydin Road parking lot and the footbridge. Sign up at info@pido.org or simply show up.
PIDO Exec Board
PIDO Executive Board meeting
Topic: PIDO Executive Board Meeting July 2026
Time: Jul 16, 2026 05:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83059848532?pwd=KddIzZQJkdaHWe4HXaTQOYMBUPma39.1
Agenda: link
CLEANUP DAY
CLEANUP DAY at Point Isabel
Saturday, 10 a.m. – 12 noon
Point Isabel is one of our community’s most beloved open spaces—and it stays that way because visitors and user groups pitch in. Join PIDO Saturday morning to help keep the park clean, safe, and beautiful by picking up litter and pulling invasive weeds (including early foxtails that can harm dogs).
Whether you can spare 15 minutes or stay the full two hours, your help truly makes a difference. Bring your own gloves and gardening tools or use ours. Dogs are welcome—just don’t forget water for both of you!
WHERE: Meet us between the Rydin Road parking lot and the footbridge. Sign up at info@pido.org or simply show up.
Bonus: special treats for all good dogs—and their people—because helping out should be fun, too. 🐾
PIDO Exec Board
PIDO Executive Baord meeting
Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82730635655?pwd=7SHRggdnAWFcjavpbuakDtCWHGblT7.1
OFF-LEASH SKILLS 101
OFF-LEASH SKILLS 101
Professional trainer Birgit Hafermann will review essential off-leash skills, explore lesser-known techniques (such as emergency recall commands), and share tips and tricks learned by PIDO members over the years. New dog owners who want to shorten their learning curves as well as dogs and people who want to sharpen their skills are all welcome.
The class is free but limited to 10 participants. Session is held in the field near Mud Puppy’s at Point Isabel Regional Shoreline.
Registration is required below.
CLEANUP DAY
The May 30 Organized event has been canceled!
Please pick up extra trash every time you visit
CLEANUP DAY at Point Isabel
Saturday, 10 a.m. – 12 noon
Point Isabel is one of our community’s most beloved open spaces—and it stays that way because visitors and user groups pitch in. Join PIDO Saturday morning to help keep the park clean, safe, and beautiful by picking up litter and pulling invasive weeds (including early foxtails that can harm dogs).
Whether you can spare 15 minutes or stay the full two hours, your help truly makes a difference. Bring your own gloves and gardening tools or use ours. Dogs are welcome—just don’t forget water for both of you!
WHERE: Meet us between the Rydin Road parking lot and the footbridge. Sign up at info@pido.org or simply show up.
Bonus: special treats for all good dogs—and their people—because helping out should be fun, too. 🐾
EARTH DAY WORK PARTY
Show our trees some love
Join PIDO and East Bay Regional Park District for an Earth Day weekend volunteer work party between 10 a.m. and noon to mulch our newest trees. Meet in the long, flat field between Hoffman Channel and the Bay Trail bike path (the field with two benches, one backless). Come for 10 minutes or two hours…every bit helps! Bring rakes, hoes, shovels, and gloves, if you have them, and your own drinking water.
OFF-LEASH SKILLS 101
OFF-LEASH SKILLS 101
Professional trainer Birgit Hafermann will review essential off-leash skills, explore lesser-known techniques (such as emergency recall commands), and share tips and tricks learned by PIDO members over the years. New dog owners who want to shorten their learning curves as well as dogs and people who want to sharpen their skills are all welcome.
Email info@pido.org to sign up. The class is free but limited to 10 participants. Session is held in the field near Mud Puppy’s.
(Event is permit pending.)
CLEANUP DAY
CLEANUP DAY at Point Isabel
Saturday, 10 a.m. – 12 noon
Point Isabel is one of our community’s most beloved open spaces—and it stays that way because visitors and user groups pitch in. Join PIDO Saturday morning to help keep the park clean, safe, and beautiful by picking up litter and pulling invasive weeds (including early foxtails that can harm dogs).
Whether you can spare 15 minutes or stay the full two hours, your help truly makes a difference. Bring your own gloves and gardening tools or use ours. Dogs are welcome—just don’t forget water for both of you!
WHERE: Meet us between the Rydin Road parking lot and the footbridge. Sign up at info@pido.org or simply show up.
Bonus: special treats for all good dogs—and their people—because helping out should be fun, too. 🐾
CLEANUP DAY
CLEANUP DAY at Point Isabel
Saturday, 10 a.m. – 12 noon
Point Isabel is one of our community’s most beloved open spaces—and it stays that way because visitors and user groups pitch in. Join PIDO Saturday morning to help keep the park clean, safe, and beautiful by picking up litter and pulling invasive weeds (including early foxtails that can harm dogs).
Whether you can spare 15 minutes or stay the full two hours, your help truly makes a difference. Bring your own gloves and gardening tools or use ours. Dogs are welcome—just don’t forget water for both of you!
WHERE: Meet us between the Rydin Road parking lot and the footbridge. Sign up at info@pido.org or simply show up.
Bonus: special treats for all good dogs—and their people—because helping out should be fun, too. 🐾
CLEANUP DAY Jan. 31
CLEANUP DAY at Point Isabel
Saturday, 10 a.m. – 12 noon
Point Isabel is one of our community’s most beloved open spaces—and it stays that way because visitors and user groups pitch in. Join PIDO Saturday morning to help keep the park clean, safe, and beautiful by picking up litter and pulling invasive weeds (including early foxtails that can harm dogs).
Whether you can spare 15 minutes or stay the full two hours, your help truly makes a difference. Bring your own gloves and gardening tools or use ours. Dogs are welcome—just don’t forget water for both of you!
WHERE: Meet us between the Rydin Road parking lot and the footbridge. Sign up at info@pido.org or simply show up.
Bonus: special treats for all good dogs—and their people—because helping out should be fun, too. 🐾
CLEANUP DAY
CLEAN-UP DAY at Point Isabel
10 a.m. — 12 noon
Join PIDO Saturday morning to pick up "stuff” or pull weeds, including early foxtails!
Bring your own gloves and gardening tools or use ours. Dogs welcome. Bring water.
Stay for 15 minutes or the whole two hours — every bit helps.
Meet us between the Rydin Road parking lot and the footbridge. (Sign up ahead at info@pido.org or just show up.)
Ask about our special treats for all good dogs — and their people!
photo by Lew Jacobson
CANINE GOOD CITIZEN
CANINE GOOD CITIZEN LOW-COST TEST
AKC Canine Good Citizen test (nominal $10 fee to pay for certified trainer). Handler/dog teams are tested in 10 areas. Dogs who didn’t pass in 2024 may retest for free if you let us know ahead of time (email info@pido.org).
Your dog must be able to walk calmly on a loose leash, pass other dogs and people, show no extreme reactions to several levels of distractions, demonstrate smooth responses to obedience cues, and be handled by and left alone with a stranger without being stressed. Testing takes about 15 minutes.
Dog owners participating in the CGC test sign the Responsible Dog Owner’s Pledge, committing to maintain the pet’s health, safety, and quality of life. You can self-train for the tests (visit the AKC website), or attend a class. Nancy Frensley provides CGC classes and testing at Berkeley Humane (contact: Nancy@finessedogtraining.net).
Spaces are limited; email info@pido.org to reserve one, or come early to try first-come, first-served that day. Meet at field behind Mudpuppy’s, near the parking lot and café patio area. Be aware - the test will take place in an area, the “ring” - that will have a visible barrier/fence but is accessible to on- and off-leash dogs.
CLEANUP DAY
CLEAN-UP DAY at Point Isabel
10 a.m. — 12 noon
Join PIDO Saturday morning to pick up "stuff” or pull weeds, including early foxtails!
Bring your own gloves and gardening tools or use ours. Dogs welcome. Bring water.
Stay for 15 minutes or the whole two hours — every bit helps.
Meet us between the Rydin Road parking lot and the footbridge. (Sign up ahead at info@pido.org or just show up.)
Ask about our special treats for all good dogs — and their people!
photo by Lew Jacobson
OFF-LEASH SKILLS 101
OFF-LEASH SKILLS 101
A professional trainer will review essential off-leash skills, explore lesser-known techniques (such as emergency recall commands), and share tips and tricks learned by PIDO members over the years. New dog owners who want to shorten their learning curves as well as dogs and people who want to sharpen their skills are all welcome. Must pre-register by emailing skills@pido.org. The class is free but limited to 10 participants.
BARKTOBERFEST
Join PIDO for our annual Barktoberfest! We’ll have a Halloween dog costume contest and parade on Sunday, October 26, from 12:00 to 2:00 pm at Point Isabel Regional Shoreline — parade begins at 1 pm.
WHEN: Register for costume contest starting at 12:00, if you’re competing. (See entry fees below.) Short parade begins at 1 pm, followed by judging, prizes, and photos of winners.
WHERE: The field north of Sit and Stay Café/ Mudpupppy’s, 1 Isabel Street. Arrive early; parking may be difficult.
HOW MUCH: Dog costume contest is Free for PIDO members. Non-members pay $20 and get a FREE lifetime membership in PIDO. Contest categories: First, second, and third place in Small, Medium, and Large Dog categories, plus one grand prize (“Judges’ Choice”).
SPOOKY MERCH: Limited edition PIDO hoodies and tees are on sale now for our upcoming Barktoberfest Halloween costume contest and parade. We have new sizes and colors decked out with our spooky logo — while they last.
CLEANUP DAY
CLEAN-UP DAY at Point Isabel
10 a.m. — 12 noon
Join PIDO Saturday morning to pick up "stuff” or pull weeds, including early foxtails!
Bring your own gloves and gardening tools or use ours. Dogs welcome. Bring water.
Stay for 15 minutes or the whole two hours — every bit helps.
Meet us between the Rydin Road parking lot and the footbridge. (Sign up ahead at info@pido.org or just show up.)
Ask about our special treats for all good dogs — and their people!
photo by Lew Jacobson
OFF-LEASH SKILLS 101
OFF-LEASH SKILLS 101
A professional trainer will review essential off-leash skills, explore lesser-known techniques (such as emergency recall commands), and share tips and tricks learned by PIDO members over the years. New dog owners who want to shorten their learning curves as well as dogs and people who want to sharpen their skills are all welcome. Must pre-register by emailing skills@pido.org. The class is free but limited to 10 participants.
CLEANUP DAY
CLEAN-UP DAY at Point Isabel
10 a.m. — 12 noon
Join PIDO Saturday morning to pick up "stuff” or pull weeds, including early foxtails!
Bring your own gloves and gardening tools or use ours. Dogs welcome. Bring water.
Stay for 15 minutes or the whole two hours — every bit helps.
Meet us between the Rydin Road parking lot and the footbridge. (Sign up ahead at info@pido.org or just show up.)
Ask about our special treats for all good dogs — and their people!
photo by Lew Jacobson
CLEANUP DAY
CLEAN-UP DAY at Point Isabel
10 a.m. — 12 noon
Join PIDO Saturday morning to pick up "stuff” or pull weeds, including early foxtails!
Bring your own gloves and gardening tools or use ours. Dogs welcome. Bring water.
Stay for 15 minutes or the whole two hours — every bit helps.
Meet us between the Rydin Road parking lot and the footbridge. (Sign up ahead at info@pido.org or just show up.)
Ask about our special treats for all good dogs — and their people!
photo by Lew Jacobson
CLEANUP DAY
CLEAN-UP DAY at Point Isabel
10 a.m. — 12 noon
Join PIDO Saturday morning to pick up "stuff” or pull weeds, including early foxtails!
Bring your own gloves and gardening tools or use ours. Dogs welcome. Bring water.
Stay for 15 minutes or the whole two hours — every bit helps.
Meet us between the Rydin Road parking lot and the footbridge. (Sign up ahead at info@pido.org or just show up.)
Ask about our special treats for all good dogs — and their people!
photo by Lew Jacobson
CANINE GOOD CITIZEN
CANINE GOOD CITIZEN LOW-COST TEST
AKC Canine Good Citizen test (nominal $10 fee to pay for certified trainer). Handler/dog teams are tested in 10 areas. Dogs who didn’t pass in 2024 may retest for free if you let us know ahead of time (email info@pido.org).
Your dog must be able to walk calmly on a loose leash, pass other dogs and people, show no extreme reactions to several levels of distractions, demonstrate smooth responses to obedience cues, and be handled by and left alone with a stranger without being stressed. Testing takes about 15 minutes.
Dog owners participating in the CGC test sign the Responsible Dog Owner’s Pledge, committing to maintain the pet’s health, safety, and quality of life. You can self-train for the tests (visit the AKC website), or attend a class. Nancy Frensley provides CGC classes and testing at Berkeley Humane (contact: Nancy@finessedogtraining.net).
Spaces are limited; email info@pido.org to reserve one, or come early to try first-come, first-served that day. Meet at field behind Mudpuppy’s, near the parking lot and café patio area. Be aware - the test will take place in an area, the “ring” - that will have a visible barrier/fence but is accessible to on- and off-leash dogs.
CLEANUP DAY
CLEAN-UP DAY at Point Isabel
10 a.m. — 12 noon
Join PIDO Saturday morning to pick up "stuff” or pull weeds, including early foxtails!
Bring your own gloves and gardening tools or use ours. Dogs welcome. Bring water.
Stay for 15 minutes or the whole two hours — every bit helps.
Meet us between the Rydin Road parking lot and the footbridge. (Sign up ahead at info@pido.org or just show up.)
Ask about our special treats for all good dogs — and their people!
photo by Lew Jacobson
EARTH DAY WORK PARTY
Join a PIDO/EBRPD volunteer work day on Sunday, April 27, from 10 am to noon. Meet in Hoffman Field (between Hoffman Channel and the USPS parking lot/Bay Trail loop). Bring your own drinking water, and gloves, rakes, hoes, and shovels, if you have them.
Point Isabel history talk
From Ohlone settlement, to Mexican rancho, to dynamite manufactory, to frog farm: Point Isabel has a rich and fascinating history.
Join the El Cerrito Historical Society for a talk by Mary Barnsdale, author of a forthcoming book about the history of Point Isabel, as she walks us through the startling changes over the last few centuries on the Point Isabel peninsula and how those echo California history’s overall.
Thursday, April 10, 2025
7 - 9 pm
Hana Gardens Senior Center
10870 San Pablo Avenue
El Cerrito, CA, 94530 (map)
Event is free. Light refreshments.
More info: https://www.elcerritohistoricalsociety.org/societyevents/pointisabel2025
The Point Isabel History Project is being developed in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Point Isabel Regional Shoreline in 2025. It is partially supported by a grant from East Bay Regional Park District’s Regional Parks Foundation to Point Isabel Dog Owners (PIDO).
CLEANUP DAY
CLEAN-UP DAY at Point Isabel
10 a.m. — 12 noon
Join PIDO Saturday morning to pick up "stuff” or pull weeds, including early foxtails!
Bring your own gloves and gardening tools or use ours. Dogs welcome. Bring water.
Stay for 15 minutes or the whole two hours — every bit helps.
Meet us between the Rydin Road parking lot and the footbridge. (Sign up ahead at info@pido.org or just show up.)
Ask about our special treats for all good dogs — and their people!
photo by Lew Jacobson
**Cancelled** CLEANUP DAY
**CANCELLED DUE TO MUD AND RAIN**
LAST CLEANUP DAY of 2024 at Point Isabel
Saturday, December 28, 2024
9:00 AM 12:00 PM
Check-in at the PIDO table near the Rydin Road parking lot and the footbridge.
Waves and wind have dumped tiny pieces of Styrofoam along the bay side of the park -- and they're migrating to other areas, too, including the field near Sit & Stay Cafe. Plastic bottles and other trash -- including half a burnt shipping pallet -- have washed in and lodged along the shoreline and in the rocks.
Join us to collect plastic debris and remove it from the environment at the park. The Styrofoam is particularly noxious; the smaller the fragments get, the more likely that birds and other creatures will gobble them up by mistake.
Also, whenever it rains there seem to be more poops lying around that weren't picked up. It's even more important to clean up after dogs in winter, to keep contaminants out of puddles and the bay. Help us keep the park sanitary.
Bring your own gloves and bags or use ours.
Join us for a few minutes or the whole two hours.
Every bit helps. Sign up ahead at info@pido.org or just show up!
Rain cancels the event
photo by Lew Jacobson