Parks and the outdoors in Berkeley

Parks and the outdoors in Berkeley

1. See

   Berkeley Rose Garden

   A half-hour's walk north of the UC Berkeley campus. Especially nice for watching the sunset, with a view of the bay.

   Daily 6AM - 10PM, Unless otherwise posted

2. See

   César Chávez Park

   A bike and pedestrian path runs around the water's edge to the bay side from the back of the peninsula this 90-acre (36-hectare) park shares with the Marina and Pier, revealing an incredible view of the bay, the city, Alcatraz, the GG Bridge, and Mt. Tamalpais. With steady winds coming off the bay, a large field, and low hills, this is a kite flying Mecca (the first scene in the film adaptation of The Kite Runner was filmed here, though labeled as San Francisco). There is also a kite shop in a truck that parks here most afternoons that sells kites and parts. The park also has picnic areas with BBQ pits, an off-leash dog area, a wetland and wildlife sanctuary.

   Daily 6AM-10PM, unless otherwise posted

3. See

   Indian Rock Park

   Indian Rock Park is a 1.18-acre (0.48-hectare) public park located in the northeast part of the city, about one block north of the Arlington/Marin Circle, and straddles Indian Rock Avenue. The central feature of the park is a large rock outcropping on the west side of Indian Rock Ave. You can climb up the rocks on the carved out stairs and gaze at the great vista from the top. Highly recommended for sunsets.

   Daily 6AM - 10PM, Unless otherwise posted

4. Drink

   Jupiter

   The backyard patio is fantastic. On weekend nights they usually have live music in the beer garden. They have a huge selection of beer, including local and their own microbrews. Food includes wood-oven pizzas in many sizes. Online reservations.

   Tue-Thu 4-10PM, Fri Sat noon-11PM (21+ only after 7PM), Sun noon-10PM·$30-50

5. See

   Tilden Park

   Offers several inexpensive activities for families with children. Many kilometers of hiking trails of various difficulties are available for free hiking, and include vistas of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. Home to a scale, narrow-gauge working steam train. $8 gets five rides through the woods atop the Berkeley hills, including a tunnel and trestle bridge. Right next door is the Golden Gate Live Steamers Club, maintained and operated by 275 members. This is an entire miniature railroad for hand-built steam engines. Bus 67 from Berkeley BART goes through the park on weekends. Also in the park, Lake Anza is a popular swimming destination for families and summer camps. There is a wonderful Botanical Garden with a very diverse terrain and a great collection of manzanitas and other California native plants. Be sure to check website for updates concerning weather effects, construction and so on. Check website for amenities and trail closures as well.

   Daily 5AM-10PM, unless otherwise posted·See website for specific attraction fees

6. See

   University of California Botanical Garden

   Part outdoor museum, park, and biological research facility for the University of California, the garden hosts over 12,000 different species of plant life.

   Daily 9AM-10AM (members only) 10AM-5PM, closed first Tuesdays·Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and non-UCB students, $7 children 7-17. Children 6 and under, NARM/ROAM/ARM Reciprocal members with card, UCB faculty and students, LBNL, UCOP staff and UCBG members free. (Reservations required.)

7. Eat

   Yogurt Park

   Six delicious flavors of frozen yogurt daily, on a rotating schedule. You can get a heaping, satisfying cup for $2.75. Not to be missed.

   Daily 11AM-midnight

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Berkeley (CC BY-SA 4.0).