east bay regional park district

These parks have great hiking, spectacular views, and plenty of room to explore in blissful solitude. Keep an eye out for turkeys, coyotes, hawks and plenty of other wildlife. Bring your camera, bring lunch, bring plenty of water, and have a great day in the hills. BTW, there are several lakes that permit swimming, boating, and fishing.

With over 300 parks to choose from there isn't a type of outdoor experience that you can't find. Beautiful views abound from both the depths of a canyon or the top of hills. Enjoy!

This is a real gem in the East Bay. The hills to the east of the SF Bay are one continuous park with hiking trails, horseback riding availability, beautiful views, picnic areas, a merry-go-round (Berkeley), narrow gauge railroad operating most weekends and all summer (Berkeley). There is a lot to do for those who love the outdoors and its very kid friendly.

Beautiful well kept trails, dog friendly and the park provides the location for long or short hikes. The Views of surrounding landscape incredible

The East Bay Regional Parks are one of the shining gems of the East Bay. To be able to access the out-of-doors so readily is a real treat. Whether you are looking to walk in the bright sunshine or in a redwood forest, picnic in a large open area or a quiet retreat, or take a short or long hike, you will find all these options in the East Bay Regional Parks. Embrace nature and enjoy one of the parks today.

The East Bay Regional Parks are a treasure. Spread over two counties there is a park or trail for everyone. Many off leash dog friendly parks. Camping, picnic areas, wheelchair friendly and strenuous hikes. Away but close to many cities. Redwood groves, grasslands, a little farm, vintage merry-go-round, beaches, water slides marshlands, geological and botanical preserves - don't miss visiting one or all of the EB regional parks. Our favorites are Sibley, Redwood, Point Isabel and Tilden, and we visit many others 5-7 days a week.

I'm constantly amazed that more people, including many locals, do not know of or take advantage of the amazing East Bay Regional Park System. There are, I believe, 23 parks, many connected by hiking trails in the East Bay. Most offer wild open spaces for hiking, biking, jogging, some dog friendly. People go to Muir Woods to see redwood trees when Redwood Park off Skyline in Oakland offers the Stream Trail and giant redwoods. Many of the parks have visitors centers - Tilden, Crab Cove, and especially Ardenwood, a historic farm and historic home open for tours. A variety of other activities for both adults and children are offered. Their naturalists are excellent. Check their website for their many activities. I believe its www.ebparks.org. The EB Regional Parks are a local treasure.

All the EB Regional parks are beautifully maintained, and all that I have visited (many) are worthwhile for their beauty and habitat. I'm a birder and visit these parks often. Even the small parks can have good birds at the right time of year.

For anyone who is in the Oakland area and enjoys the outdoors, I would recommend a visit to this well-maintained and staffed park. The park has much to offer: hiking trails, picnic areas, boating, camping, fishing, horse back riding, cycling. There are several different areas in the park and each offers different activities. The staff is very friendly, and it is obvious that they know their regulars on a first name basis. A well appointed and maintain park system that would make a great model for other metro areas. Look forward to more visits when I am again in the area.

The East bay may shine second to fancy SF or snobby Marin Co. but as far as public open space and parks, the East Bay beats them all with the amount and quality of parks that are accessible easily.

The East Bay Regional Park District maintains the largest regional park district in the United States with approximately 65 parks and over 1200 miles of hiking trails. There are a wide variety of outdoor activities from picnics, hiking, swimming, boating, camping, geocatching, star gazing, horse back riding, biking, etc. There are some parks where they highlight local history.There are some parks that have good facilities for golf, wedding and wedding receptions, group gathering and more.A few of my favorite East Bay Parks are:1) Ardenwood - it is a working farm with a historic home. They have animals and more at this fun place to go in Newark, California.2) Tilden Park is also a favorite of mine. There is a lake and swimming area, golf course, and a nice hall where I have attended wedding receptions. There is a merry-go-round, a steam train, and a small animal farm to visit as well. I like the smell of the eucalyptus trees at this park.3) Del Valle Regional Park in Livermore has camping and boating. We have gone trout fishing here. It also has a nice swimming beach, picnic grounds, and more. This is a nice place to go on a warm summer day.4) Mission Peak - we have hiked to the top of Mission Peak and enjoyed the views.We've seen about half the parks, so there are more parks on the list to explore and enjoy. Its a wonderful area to spend time.The reason the East Bay Regional Parks, which has parks from Martinez to Fremont area is listed as an attraction in Oakland is because the administrative headquarters is in Oakland. As such, its best to not visit this location but to visit the individual parks themselves. The headquarters maintains a good web site listing the various parks, hours, activities, and so forth.Note: For more information on an individual park, trip advisor lists most of them as attractions also under the city they are in.There is usually a small fee - this year (2014) the parks I saw averaged about $6 per visit.If one plans to visit a lot more during a calendar year there are annual park passes; these passes allow in many cases unlimited visits to the parks; a reduction in camping fees, and more. It depends how much you plan to use the parks if its worth paying for an annual pass or just paying the daily use and/or associated camping fees. This office in Oakland also maintains information on the annual pass on a web site which provides more details and what the pass can be used for.

If visiting this area, don't forget to bring your hiking or running shoes. Trails are consistently well marked and maintained. Parking is usually generous but several of the parks are also accessible by AC Transit bus. There are trails of every length and difficulty level, and different parks highlight different habitats and landforms of the region. EBRPD is the thing I miss most about living in the East Bay.

The East Bay hills have great hiking with beautiful views and a second growth redwood forest with huge trees that grow where the original trees were cut, so you can see how massive the primeval trees were. Hiking goes for miles.

I can't believe I've lived in Castro Valley and hadn't discovered Lake Chabot as a great place to walk. Lots of trails on both sides with stunning views. A great way to start your day. There are picinic tables and campground accommodations. Very friendly people walk these trails and lots with dogs. It's a great place to take in all the beauty and do your best thinking!

There are so many great choices to make and then walk or horseback ride through soul-satisfying country.