Summer’s here, and many places that means it’s time to emerge from inside and finally enjoy the sunshine and good weather. Here in Berkeley, however, we’re lucky enough to have beautiful days sprinkled throughout the year – it could be 50 degrees in August and 70 in January (and often is). However, in the spirit of summer, here are 5 parks in Berkeley worth visiting on those sunny, balmy days.
1. Tilden Park
Berkeley sits on the edge of Tilden Park, an East Bay regional park, comprised of wooded or partially-wooded hills separating the coastal and inland areas. It’s a lovely place for a hike or bike ride, with almost 40 miles of trails. Or, if hiking isn’t your cup of tea but you still want to enjoy the beauty of nature and breath in the relaxing smell of eucalyptus trees covering the park, there are a plethora of other attractions to take part in. Activities include golfing, fishing, camping, equestrian camping, visiting the Botanic Garden, and swimming in Lake Anza. If you’re looking for kid-oriented activities, check out the Little Farm, Merry-Go-Round (this site is decorated for Christmas, and is a must-see for December visitors), and the Steam Train.
On the western boarder of Berkeley, opposite Tilden Park, is the Berkeley Marina and waterfront. Visitors can stay onshore and enjoy a direct view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco skyline, or can take to the bay with classes and clinics from Cal Adventures. The Marina also features an off-leash area for dogs, the Berkeley Yacht Club, and Adventure Playground: a hands-on building and playing experience for kids.
3. Ohlone Greenway & Park
The Ohlone Greenway is any green space that pops up along the East Bay bicycle and pedestrian path. Ohlone Park is made up of a four-block stretch of the Greenway, spanning from North Berkeley Bart station at Sacramento St and Delaware to Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Hearst. This long, skinny park includes a baseball field, a soccer field, basketball courts, jungle gym equipment, a dog park, and multipurpose grassy areas. On any given afternoon, you can see little league games, amateur tightrope walkers, Frisbee throwers, pick-up basketball games, and children playing on the large spider web-style climbing structure.
4. Berkeley Rose Garden and Corodnices Park
The Berkeley Rose Garden is perched on a terraced hill, creating a cascade of roses down the slope when the flowers are in full bloom. It is a popular site for weddings, prom pictures, and local gardeners who volunteer to prune the roses. Just across from the garden is Corodnices Park (pronounced cord-uh-nee-sees by the locals). The park begins as a large expanse of grass and transitions to a wooded area with park benches and grills, perfect for birthday barbeques. There is traditional play equipment, but the park is most famous for its large concrete slide. To the dread of many parents and the delight of their children, kids of all ages can be seen careening down the slide on squares of cardboard (so they don’t shred their pants). It should be mentioned that in all my years frequenting this park, I have never seen anyone injured on this slide.
5. Indian Rock
For a spectacular view of the entire San Francisco bay, head up to Indian rock. This park includes a grassy area for lounging, picnicking, or hosting potlucks and a giant rock across the street. For the view, one must make his or her way up to the top of the rock. This can be done by nimbly scaling one of the sets of steps carved into the rock or, for the more adventurous and athletically inclined, by attempting to climb up the side. Personally, I do not recommend the latter option; the view is not worth a broken neck, though it is spectacular.