Now Playing in Berkeley
Fine weather across seasons, scenic terrain, and an S.F. Bay setting make Berkeley a great place to play outside. Hiking, biking, swimming, and golf are here, as are kite flying, bird watching, botanic garden walks, rock climbing and fishing. Berkeley also caters to college and pro sports fans.
Outdoor Adventures
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Aquatic Park
Neighborhood West Berkeley
Aquatic Park provides plenty of opportunities for bird watching, boating, hiking trails and biking trails around the lake. Frisbee Golf in the meadows. There is also a fitness exercise course, "Dream Land for Kids", a playground featuring extensive wooden castles, walkways and other structures, as well as a habitat for bird and aquatic life. Limited parking is available on the east side of the park. Handicapped/wheelchair accessible. Open 6:00 am-10:00 pm, unless otherwise posted.
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Cesar Chavez Park
Neighborhood West Berkeley
90 rolling acres and 1.5 miles of paved trails. Wildlife sanctuary, sports fields, paved pathways, picnic areas and wide-open meadlowlands for Frisbee and kite flying. Hiking and biking allowed. Open daily, dawn to dusk. Home of the Annual International Kite Festival in late July.
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Contra Costa Rock Park
Neighborhood North Berkeley
Contra Costa Rock Park provides great views and challenges for early-level rock climbing. Picnic areas, vista/ overlook with fantastic views and evidence of Indian life. Not wheelchair accessible. Open daily 6am-10pm, unless otherwise posted.
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Cragmont Rock Park
Neighborhood North Berkeley
Cragmont Rock Park was dedicated in 1920. Dick Leonard, called the father of technical climbing, formed the Cragmont Climbing Club. Using the techniques he had learned climbing at Cragmont Rock, Leonard planned the first technical rock climb in Yosemite in 1934. The park has a 1/2 court for basketball, a picnic area with BBQ, a vista/ overlook with spectacular views of the SF Bay and a gazebo (popular for outdoor weddings). The gazebo is available for reservation or rental. For reservations or more information, call the City Recreation Office at 510-981-5150.
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Great Stoneface Park
Neighborhood North Berkeley
Located in the Northbrae area, Great Stoneface Park has a rock outcrop for early-level rock climbing, a picnic area with BBQ and fireplace. Not wheelchair accessible. Open daily 6am-10pm, unless otherwise posted.
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Grotto Rock Park
Neighborhood North Berkeley
Located in northeast Berkeley this park has a rock outcrop with carved steps and areas with challenges for early-level rock climbing. Fantastic views from the overlook. Not wheelchair accessible. Open daily 6am-10pm, unless otherwise posted.
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Indian Rock Park
Neighborhood North Berkeley
Located in northeast Berkeley. Enjoy a gorgeous view of the San Francisco Bay. The park's facilities include picnic area with BBQ and fireplace and grassy play areas. Not wheelchair accessible. Open daily 6am-10pm, unless otherwise posted.
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Lake Anza
Neighborhood Surrounding Area
Lake Anza is a favorite getaway and a great place for fresh-water swimming. Its sandy beach is open to the sun and sheltered from the wind, with lifeguards posted during the swim season. Wheelchair accessible features, ample parking and picnic grounds. There is a beach access fee to the swim area, which has changing rooms.
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Mortar Rock Park
Neighborhood North Berkeley
Located in northeast Berkeley, here you will find a vista/overlook with great views of the San Francisco Bay and rock outcrop with carved steps, offering challenges for early-level rock climbers. Not wheelchair accissible. Open daily 6am-10pm, unless othe
Sports
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Tilden Park Golf Course
Neighborhood Surrounding Area
Tilden Park Golf Course offers golfers an experience you won't find anywhere else in the Bay Area. Located in the scenic Berkeley Hills, this William Park Bell Jr. design features a challenging 28-hole, par 70 course. Three-tiered driving range with over 60 stalls, practice putting greens and a full service bar and grill.
Things To Do
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Adventure Playground
Neighborhood West Berkeley
Next to the Nature Center, this innovative playground is free if children and adults come together. Climb on the many unusual kid-designed and built forts, boats, and towers. Ride the zip line or hammer, saw and paint. School Year Hours: Weekends: 11:00 am-5:00 pm Summer Hours: Weekdays 9:00 am-5:00 pm; Weekends: 11:00 am-5:00 pm
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Berkeley Rose Garden
Neighborhood North Berkeley
Located next to Codornices Park, the Rose Garden is a semi-circular terraced amphitheatre with rows of gorgeous fragrant roses, holding 3,000 rose bushes and 250 varieties of roses on 3.64 acres. Considered by many, to be the finest rose garden in Northern California.
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Codornices Park
Neighborhood North Berkeley
One of the first parks in Berkeley, Codornices Park was opened in 1915 with a splendid field house, a fine tennis court, and many other play features. There are a wide array of play opportunities are available in a beautiful hillside setting: baseball/softball fields, basketball court, tot play area, picnic/BBQ area (reservation required), hiking trails through glade and groves of mature trees. A tunnel leads from the park under Euclid Ave. to the Berkeley Rose Garden park across the street.
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Fishing Off Berkeley Pier
Neighborhood West Berkeley
At the Berkeley Marina. Bring your poles and bait any day of the year. Settle in to catch crabs, halibut and bass. No fishing license required. Great area to stroll out onto the bay, birdwatch or enjoy the show as the sun sets behind the Golden Gate Bridge.
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Glendale La Loma Park
Neighborhood North Berkeley
This park is located on a terraced hillside with vista/ overlooks and fantastic views, a rock outcrop for rock climbing, a baseball/ softball field, 1/2 court for basketball, tot play area, picnic area with BBQ and fireplace. Upper terrace with tot play a
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Golden Gate Fields
Neighborhood West Berkeley
A full service Thoroughbred horse racing facility located on the San Francisco Bay. Perfect for large group outings or an intimate day at the races with friends. We are also a great venue for private parties, convention and facility rentals.
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Merry-Go-Round at Tilden Park
Neighborhood Surrounding Area
Tilden's Herschell-Spillman merry-go-round is a splendid antique carousel with hand-carved and beautifully painted wooden carousel animals to ride. The calliope plays music to make any child's heart sign. The facility offers a wheelchair accessible snack stand, drinking water, restroom, and parking.
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Shorebird Park Nature Center
Neighborhood West Berkeley
Shorebird Park Nature Center is the first municipal strawbale building in the United States. It has a solar hot water radiant system to provide heating year-round in the cool marina climate, and a solar photovoltaic electrical system from Southwest Windpower, the soon-to-be-built Green Classroom building will be powered by wind from San Francisco Bay.
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Steam Train Rides
Neighborhood Surrounding Area
Ride along the scenic ridge on a scaled-down steam train in Tilden Regional Park. Parking, drinking water, restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Hours: Weekends 11:00 am-6:00 pm (or dusk); Summer Weekdays: mid June through Labor Day, 11:00 am-5:00 pm. Single Ride Ticket: $2.00 Credit Cards not accepted.
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Tilden Nature Area & Little Farm
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Tilden Park Botanic Garden
Neighborhood Surrounding Area
Situated in Tilden Regional Park's beautiful Wildcat Canyon in the heart of the North Berkeley Hills, the Botanic Garden's 10-acres can be walked in a day. Devoted to the collection, growth, display and preservation of the native plants of California.
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Tilden Regional Park
Neighborhood Surrounding Area
Tilden Park, one of East Bay Regional Park District's three oldest parks has 2,079 acres. Tilden has been called the jewel of the system, and its recreational activities have become a happy tradition for generations of East Bay youngsters. From a carousel ride and a picnic to a swim at Lake Anza and a stroll through the Botanic Garden, Tilden has variety to delight everyone.
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UC Botanical Garden
Neighborhood UC Berkeley campus
One of the finest botanical gardens in the country is located at UC Berkeley. Home to some 13,000 species grouped according to regions of the world, the garden has an especially impressive collection of California native plants. Visitors will also find picnic tables, gift/bookstore, and conservatory for tropical plants. Admission: $7.00 Adults 18-64; $5.00 Juniors 13-17 & Seniors 65; $2.00 for ages 5-12, and under 5 yrs. Free.
