Parks and the outdoors in Oakland

11 parks, gardens, beaches and walks in and around Oakland.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Eat
Champa Garden
It's in a residential neighborhood. This cozy restaurant that has a flair of Southern Asia flavors. The mix of Vietnamese, Lao, Thai and Mien cuisine makes this restaurant a unique one. Make sure to get an order of Pad Thai.
Daily 11AM-3PM, 5PM-9PM (Closed 3rd Monday of month)
Do
Children's Fairyland
Mixed seasonal hours, almost always open on weekends. Amazing, dynamic playground and destination for children, right on Lake Merritt. Fairyland was one of the earliest themed amusement parks, and was an inspiration for everything from Disneyland to the Jejune Institute. Please note that only adults with children can enter. Make sure you get a Magic Key to activate audio stories on the various displays.
Mon-Fri 10AM-4PM, Sat-Sun 10AM-5PM
See
Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park
Redwood Regional Park
The hills behind the Mormon Temple and to the east of Oakland's bustling streets are home to this, where redwood groves and trees and trails and wildlife help even the most weary traveler forget that a city lies at the elbow of the wilderness. Redwood is just one of a string or regional parks running along the crest of the Oakland Hills. To the north are Huckleberry Botanical Preserve and Sibley Volcanic Regional Park while to the south is Anthony Chabot Regional Park. All have trails that interconnect with Redwood. Renamed in 2019.
Daily 5AM-10PM unless otherwise posted or permitted
Do
Grand Lake Theater
This beautiful Art Deco theater (built in 1926) shows first-run movies. It has a spectacular neon sign that is lit on weekends, and is famous for the ultra-liberal (and sometimes conspiracy-minded) weekly sign proclamations from the theater owner. At Friday and Saturday evening shows, an organist plays standards in the main theater.
See
Joaquin Miller Park
A beautiful park in the Oakland hills, made up in part of "The Hights", the old estate of California poet Joaquin Miller. The park has some of the few remaining old-growth redwood groves in the East Bay. Lots of hiking and bike-riding opportunities.
Free
Eat
Lake Chalet
Elegant dining room overlooking Lake Merritt. When the weather is warm you can have lunch or happy hour outside on the pier. The food itself (seafood and steaks) is mediocre. The wine list is rather generic, but they do have their own local beer. You can also take a gondola ride around the lake. Online reservations. Space for private parties.
Mon-Thu 11AM-8PM, Fri 11AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-9PM, Sun 10AM-8PM$15-35
See
Lake Merritt
A large tidal lagoon that is surrounded by parkland and city neighborhoods. A popular 3.1-mile (5-km) walking and jogging path runs along its perimeter and gives you a warts-and-all picture of Oakland: nature, art, culture, and diversity; gleaming skyscrapers and historic rowhouses; but also occasional run-down sections and visible homeless encampments. The lake was the United States' first official wildlife refuge, designated in 1870. In the winter it's a good place for birdwatching, as birds migrating south from Canada and Alaska use it as a rest stop or a winter home. Look for grebes, pelicans, cormorants, hawks, and various types of ducks.
See
Morcom Rose Garden
A peaceful and picturesque oasis of color, near Grand Lake, often a site for weddings. Seven acres of roses, a few benches and quiet, nestled into a residential area. The garden may be reserved after Mother's Day through October 31. Reservations are booked on a first come first serve basis.
See
Peralta Museum of History and Culture
Peralta Hacienda Historical Park
Check website for tour hours and special events. Once headquarters of the Rancho San Antonio Spanish land grant, this six-acre park contains the 1870 Antonio Peralta House and interpretive exhibits, a native plant garden, and changing exhibits on history and culture.
Wed Fri Sat 2:30PM-5:30PM$5 admission, free for Fruitvale community members, members, and children 10 and under
See
Preservation Park
A preserved and gated Victorian neighborhood and gardens open to the public (on foot). Popular spot for weddings, and offers space for other events.
See Not mapped
The Chapel of the Chimes
An enormous labyrinthine columbarium designed by Julia Morgan, more famous as the architect of Hearst Castle. Hosts the yearly Garden of Memory experimental music festival. Open to the public, but be respectful as this is a burial site.
Free

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