888.EBPARKS (option 3, ex4562)
Hours:Daily, 6am-10pm. Hours for specific attractions vary.
Cost:Free to park, hike, bike, and to picnic in non-reserved sites. Fees for specific attractions and reserved picnic sites.
Ages:All Ages
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Oakland (Toler Heights)
Tilden Regional Park553
in Oakland, CA 94605about Tilden Regional Park:
The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best Playground/Park for Little Kids and Playground/Park for Big Kids in the Bay Area, Tilden Regional Park, offers families the chance to jump in a lake, pedal a path, hit the trail, or take a steam-train ride.
Set on a ridge in the Berkeley hills, Tilden boasts more than 25 miles of hiking trails through eucalyptus and redwood groves, along oak-studded hills, and past quiet streams and lakes. When your feet need a break, unpack your picnic at any number of choice spots, then talk to the animals at the Little Farm or unwind on a wooden horse at the merry-go-round.
Hiking: Choose an easy stroll around Jewel Lake to visit the resident turtles, or climb the Seaview trail for a panoramic look at the Bay Area and (on exceptionally clear days) even glimpse the Sierra Nevada mountains. Maps of the more than 20 trails are available at most trailheads and at the Environmental Education Center. Pack snacks and water. (Water is available at the Environmental Education Center and at numerous other facilities and picnic areas.)
Biking: If you prefer to pedal, you can mountain bike on selected trails or bring your road bike and spin along the Nimitz Way, a paved multi-use trail stretching four miles from Tilden's Inspiration Point to neighboring Wildcat Canyon Park. Views stretch west across the Bay and east to Mount Diablo and the Delta.
Picnicking: The only place you'll find food in Tilden is at the concession stands at the merry-go-round and Lake Anza, so pack a picnic if you plan to spend any time here. Barbecues, and tables and benches, abound near major attractions and you'll find perfect expanses of green lawn by the Little Farm and the Botanic Garden. To reserve a site for groups of 35 or more, call 510.636.1684. Two weeks to six months advance notice recommended. Fee: Varies by site size and county of residence. Call for details.
Swimming: At Lake Anza, you can plunk your umbrella in the sand or drop your towel further back on the lawn and watch everyone from tots to teens splash in the cold water. Changing rooms and cold showers on site. Lifeguard on duty and concession stand available during official hours. Hours: Apr 13-May 5, weekends 11am-6pm; May 11-Oct 13, daily 11am-6pm. Fee: (ages 16-61) $3; (ages 1-15, 62+ or disabled) $2; (under 1) free. Swimming is also free in the morning and evenings, but no lifeguard is on duty. For more information, call 510.562.PARK.
Little Farm: Grab some lettuce and celery out of your fridge (no other foods allowed) and make the Little Farm crew of cows, goats, chickens, and sheep very happy. You'll also find ducks and Dutch rabbits and, Sunday-Thursdays, Stanley the farmer, who gathers eggs, pitches hay into the red barn, shears sheep, and more. Spring brings lots of baby animals to the farm. Hours: Daily, 8:30-4pm.
Little Farm Tip: If your kids still need to burn off steam, a sand area with small climbing structure is adjacent to the parking lot.
Environmental Education Center: Older kids will learn a little something from a walk-through exhibit on the story of the Wildcat Creek watershed. Younger children will simply enjoy the misty cave-like feel of the exhibit, along with the swimming trout and stuffed bobcat and deer. You can gear up for local adventures at the small gift shop, where you'll find compasses, magnifying glasses, field guides, and more. Hours: Tue-Sun 10am-5pm.
Merry-Go-Round: This historic Hershell Spillman carousel is now open, after an extensive renovation. For more information, call 510.524.6773. Fee: $1 for one ride.
Merry-Go-Round Tip: Plan to take a spin during the holiday season, when the merry-go-round is open every evening amid twinkling lights and a collection of Christmas trees from awesome to outrageous.
Pony Rides: Tots take a seat on princely ponies to ride in a small circle, while older kids navigate their steeds through a larger corral. Call 510.527.0421 for more information on hours. Fee: $2.50 per ride or $23 for 10 tickets. Group reservations and rates available.
Little Train: All aboard this 15-inch steam train for a 12-minute trip that takes in Bay views, Redwood groves, and a tunnel where you can shout to your heart's content. Hours: Year-round, weekends 11am-6pm (or dark, whichever comes first); School spring and summer break, Mon-Fri noon-5pm. Fee: $2 per ticket or $8 for a five-ride ticket. Kids under two ride free. Leashed dogs are welcome onboard. For more information, call 510.548.6100.
Little Train Tip: Visit on Sundays between noon and 3pm and you can generally ride the hobby railroad of the Golden Gate Live Steamers. You'll chug along on a steam train so tiny that you need to straddle the seat to climb aboard. Rides are free, small donation welcome. To find the Golden Gate steamer train, walk downhill from the Little Train station and then under the trestle bridge.
Golf Course: Play a round on the 18-hole course or get in some practice on the driving range or putting green. Classes and camps are available for kids ages seven and over. Hours: Daily, sunrise-sunset. Fees: Adults $15-$47 depending upon time of day; Junior (17 and under) $5 after 3pm. For reservations or more information, call 510.848.7373.
Botanic Garden: Visit California's coastal bluffs, interior valleys, desert, and alpine zone - all on one stroll through the botanic garden. You'll find the world's most complete collection of California native plants within its ten acres. Hours: Daily 8:30am-5pm, with weekend tours at 2pm.
Set on a ridge in the Berkeley hills, Tilden boasts more than 25 miles of hiking trails through eucalyptus and redwood groves, along oak-studded hills, and past quiet streams and lakes. When your feet need a break, unpack your picnic at any number of choice spots, then talk to the animals at the Little Farm or unwind on a wooden horse at the merry-go-round.
Hiking: Choose an easy stroll around Jewel Lake to visit the resident turtles, or climb the Seaview trail for a panoramic look at the Bay Area and (on exceptionally clear days) even glimpse the Sierra Nevada mountains. Maps of the more than 20 trails are available at most trailheads and at the Environmental Education Center. Pack snacks and water. (Water is available at the Environmental Education Center and at numerous other facilities and picnic areas.)
Biking: If you prefer to pedal, you can mountain bike on selected trails or bring your road bike and spin along the Nimitz Way, a paved multi-use trail stretching four miles from Tilden's Inspiration Point to neighboring Wildcat Canyon Park. Views stretch west across the Bay and east to Mount Diablo and the Delta.
Picnicking: The only place you'll find food in Tilden is at the concession stands at the merry-go-round and Lake Anza, so pack a picnic if you plan to spend any time here. Barbecues, and tables and benches, abound near major attractions and you'll find perfect expanses of green lawn by the Little Farm and the Botanic Garden. To reserve a site for groups of 35 or more, call 510.636.1684. Two weeks to six months advance notice recommended. Fee: Varies by site size and county of residence. Call for details.
Swimming: At Lake Anza, you can plunk your umbrella in the sand or drop your towel further back on the lawn and watch everyone from tots to teens splash in the cold water. Changing rooms and cold showers on site. Lifeguard on duty and concession stand available during official hours. Hours: Apr 13-May 5, weekends 11am-6pm; May 11-Oct 13, daily 11am-6pm. Fee: (ages 16-61) $3; (ages 1-15, 62+ or disabled) $2; (under 1) free. Swimming is also free in the morning and evenings, but no lifeguard is on duty. For more information, call 510.562.PARK.
Little Farm: Grab some lettuce and celery out of your fridge (no other foods allowed) and make the Little Farm crew of cows, goats, chickens, and sheep very happy. You'll also find ducks and Dutch rabbits and, Sunday-Thursdays, Stanley the farmer, who gathers eggs, pitches hay into the red barn, shears sheep, and more. Spring brings lots of baby animals to the farm. Hours: Daily, 8:30-4pm.
Little Farm Tip: If your kids still need to burn off steam, a sand area with small climbing structure is adjacent to the parking lot.
Environmental Education Center: Older kids will learn a little something from a walk-through exhibit on the story of the Wildcat Creek watershed. Younger children will simply enjoy the misty cave-like feel of the exhibit, along with the swimming trout and stuffed bobcat and deer. You can gear up for local adventures at the small gift shop, where you'll find compasses, magnifying glasses, field guides, and more. Hours: Tue-Sun 10am-5pm.
Merry-Go-Round: This historic Hershell Spillman carousel is now open, after an extensive renovation. For more information, call 510.524.6773. Fee: $1 for one ride.
Merry-Go-Round Tip: Plan to take a spin during the holiday season, when the merry-go-round is open every evening amid twinkling lights and a collection of Christmas trees from awesome to outrageous.
Pony Rides: Tots take a seat on princely ponies to ride in a small circle, while older kids navigate their steeds through a larger corral. Call 510.527.0421 for more information on hours. Fee: $2.50 per ride or $23 for 10 tickets. Group reservations and rates available.
Little Train: All aboard this 15-inch steam train for a 12-minute trip that takes in Bay views, Redwood groves, and a tunnel where you can shout to your heart's content. Hours: Year-round, weekends 11am-6pm (or dark, whichever comes first); School spring and summer break, Mon-Fri noon-5pm. Fee: $2 per ticket or $8 for a five-ride ticket. Kids under two ride free. Leashed dogs are welcome onboard. For more information, call 510.548.6100.
Little Train Tip: Visit on Sundays between noon and 3pm and you can generally ride the hobby railroad of the Golden Gate Live Steamers. You'll chug along on a steam train so tiny that you need to straddle the seat to climb aboard. Rides are free, small donation welcome. To find the Golden Gate steamer train, walk downhill from the Little Train station and then under the trestle bridge.
Golf Course: Play a round on the 18-hole course or get in some practice on the driving range or putting green. Classes and camps are available for kids ages seven and over. Hours: Daily, sunrise-sunset. Fees: Adults $15-$47 depending upon time of day; Junior (17 and under) $5 after 3pm. For reservations or more information, call 510.848.7373.
Botanic Garden: Visit California's coastal bluffs, interior valleys, desert, and alpine zone - all on one stroll through the botanic garden. You'll find the world's most complete collection of California native plants within its ten acres. Hours: Daily 8:30am-5pm, with weekend tours at 2pm.
tips:
Since the Berkeley Hills are across from the Golden Gate, weather here is usually similar to that of San Francisco - dress accordingly.
getting there:
Tilden Regional Park is located in the Berkeley hills just north of Highway 24. The distance between major attractions can be as great as four miles, so we recommend that you start by choosing the attraction you want to visit, and see directions below for the appropriate route and park entrance. To supplement these directions, you can also find a park map at the website.
For the Little Train and some hiking trails: Use the southernmost park entrance, closest to Highway 24 and located at Grizzly Peak Boulevard and Lomas Cantadas Road. To get here from Eastbound 24, take the Fish Ranch Road exit immediately after emerging from the Caldecott Tunnel, drive uphill, and turn right at Grizzly Peak Boulevard. Follow Grizzly Peak for a few miles, then Lomas Cantadas is on your right.
For Lake Anza, Inspiration Point, Botanic Garden, and hiking trails: Follow directions from 24 as above, but instead of turning right on Lomas Cantadas, continue on Grizzly Peak through a residential neighborhood for a few more miles until the 2nd stop sign at Shasta Rd. Turn right on to Shasta. Shasta ends at Wildcat Canyon Rd. Turn right on Wildcat Canyon for Botanic Garden, hiking, and Inspiration Point. For Lake Anza, the merry-go-round, the pony ride, the Little Farm, the Environmental Education Center, and hiking trails, turn left on Wildcat Canyon from Shasta and drive for another mile or so to Central Park Drive. Turn right on Central Park Drive and follow the signs for the above attractions.
If you know you want to go first to the Little Farm, Environmental Education Center (EEC - where most Tilden events happen), the pony rides, or merry-go-round, here is another route from I-80: Take the Albany/Buchanan Street exit and head east (toward the hills) on Buchanan. Once Buchanan crosses San Pablo Avenue, it becomes Marin Avenue. Follow Marin uphill to the traffic circle with the fountain in the center. Go 180 degrees around the circle and continue up the steep hill of Marin Avenue. Turn left onto Spruce at the first stop sign. Follow Spruce to the stop sign at the intersection of Spruce, Grizzly Peak and Wildcat Canyon. In the middle of the intersection, take the left past the Tilden Park sign onto Canon Drive. Follow Canon to the stop sign at the bottom of the hill at Central Park Drive. Turn left for Little Farm and EEC, and right for pony rides, merry-go-round, and Lake Anza.
Public transportation: On weekends and holidays, take AC Transit #67 from the Berkeley BART station into the park at Canon Drive, along Central Park Drive and Wildcat Canyon Road, and exit the park at Shasta Road. The route provides access to the Environmental Education Center and Little Farm, the pony ride, the merry-go-round, Lake Anza (a short walk), botanic garden, and several trailheads. Buses run every 30 minutes. On weekdays #67 operates only to the Canon Drive and Shasta Road entrances.
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