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I was in the area with my husband and we cruised along the Berkeley Marina. Beautiful day! I would drive by this area anytime. Didn't have time to go down, but next time! Worth cruising and driving by if you have out of town visitors that don't want to walk, but cruise along side.
One of the best places to see the sunset in the Bay Area. Back in the day, there used to be a little more liveliness. I remember when you could walk all the way out on the pier, which is now boarded up and like most of the facilities here, in various stages of neglect/disrepair.I doubt the city or county has the money available to fix it, but they really should consider a public/ private partnership to restore it to full glory. In the meantime, come here to watch the sunset, bike, fly your kite or stop in to Skates
Situated to the west of the city, the Berkeley Marina features 100 acres of parks (Cesar Chavez Park, Horseshoe Park, and the Shorebird Park) which include trails, slips to moor your boat, and the Berkeley Yacht Club. The marina also offers three prominent eating establishments, including Skates on the Bay, the Berkeley Boathouse (located in the Hilton DoubleTree Hotel), and Hana Japan. You also get a spectacular view of San Francisco Bay and downtown San Francisco! Man that view!!
I don't know if this place is actually called Berkeley Marina, but, it's what I known it as for years...so, that's what I'm sticking with. LOL. Plus, Google Maps says so. :) I've been coming here ever since Summer 2020. It's my go to place to get away and out of town when the temperature gets over 100 degrees. It's free and has everything one who loves being outside can ask for! Parking is plentiful earlier in the day, but, gets real scarce, real fast around 12 noon(But, it's free!!) There's plenty to do here: walk, sit/walk by the water, have kids play at the playground, eat (There's a couple restaurants nearby), ride your bike or kayak here. There's a boat rental shop here.
Tucked away from the bustling city called Berkeley, there is a marina with a long stretch out to the Bay. Wild turkeys meet visitors by the entrance. There is a paved walkway along the water. A park-like setting compliments the views. And plenty of parking options to choose from depending on how long you'd like to stay.
Considering that I was born and raised in the Bay Area, it took me nearly half a century to visit "Berkeley Marina". And considering just how much nature surrounds the 9 Bay Area counties, this has been one of the more popular areas that attract trails and pathways where you will see walkers, runners, cyclists, parents with strollers, and lots of dogs. Located at the very end of University Ave. and just about 1/2 mile from I-80, accessibility to this Marina is very convenient. I came here during the evening of Saturday 7/16/2022 from 7:30-8:30pm. I wanted to get a view of a perfect sunset and I must say, this place does not disappoint. During my arrival, there were other people also taking full advantage of the picturesque views while soaking it all in. As far as parking, it is free of charge but can fill up rather quickly during peak hours. The road to get here is not paved up to standards so it can get a little bumpy if you drive a smaller passenger car. I think a serious repaving is way past due since it has probably been a few decades since this has been done. On a brighter note, this particular marina has a ton of fun activities; one of which is the UC Aquatic Center that offers a variety of water activities including swimming, sailing, windsurfing, paddle boarding, and sea kayaking. However, since this was during the evening hours, none of these were taking place. From what I witnessed in the short time I was here was a large grassy area suitable for picnics. You will also find activities that are kid friendly including Adventure Playground and Shorebird Park Playground. As far as some of the other offerings nearby are a hotel and a few restaurants to choose from; one of which is "Skates on the Bay" overlooking the Bay as well as "Hana Japan Steak & Seafood" that runs parallel to University Ave. There are a few trash bins (many of them were overflowing though) as well as public restrooms. One of the most prominent landmarks here is the Berkeley Pier which was closed during my visit. However, you can witness amazing views of San Francisco and on a clear day, even the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. All in all, "Berkeley Marina" is an above average spot to visit especially if you're looking to get a view of nature and are on a budget. Keep in mind that you will see some homeless camps and vagrants around this area but they usually keep to themselves. And some of the trash piling up is a sign of the times with much of the funding being cut in these public areas. If that doesn't bother you, then this is a decent place to check out. My rating, an above average four stars.
Since I'm not a well monied yachtsman with my own crew of manly men, I consider Berkeley Marina the whole waterfront extending from University Avenue, not just the boat marina. I'm sure purists would pooh-pooh me, but I say let them pooh all they want. I usually come here by foot whether it's the pedestrian bridge from Aquatic Park (...miss those action figure statues...) or by way of the rustic dirt path from the Albany waterfront. The area makes for a relaxing stroll, and in its way, it encapsulates the highs and lows of Berkeley in one fell swoop. When was the last time you read anyone type 'one fell swoop'? The highs are the park areas. Cesar Chavez is a model example of turning waste management landfill into something more pleasurable, especially drone operators and kite fliers. Shorebird Park is for the kiddies with its nature center and hazardous-looking playground. It even has a beach of sorts. There's also that McLaughlin Eastshore preserve space with the dirt pathways and a lot of fenced-off weeds. OK then. And we're all still waiting for the Brickyard to open their fences next to the frontage road. The lows really relate to the economic and pandemic-driven malaise of the area. On the southern tip, HS Lordships has been closed and apparently abandoned since 2018. Now there's just a lot of homeless guys camped there and me with my faded memories of a high school dinner date that went awry. Perhaps the most tragic casualty is the Berkeley Pier which has been closed since 2015. Restoration efforts have been as slow as passing the voting rights legislation and similarly made me wonder if it will ever reopen. Once upon a time, it extended out to the bay for 3-1/2 miles. Who knows how much of it will be rebuilt? RELATED - Exploring Berkeley? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2CbVh8u
Of all the years living in the Bay Area, I've never been to Berkeley Marina until this year. One day, after walking Jaime at the Pt. Isabel Dog Park, decided to finally drive here to check out the area. I was surprised that it was actually pretty spacious. We walked around and discovered there are picnic areas, boat launch, UC Aquatic Center, Adventure Playground (for kids), fishing areas, bait & tackle shop, pier (currently closed), water sports clubs, a hotel, restaurants, chandlery, boat yard/dock and walking trails. It's definitely a spot if you're into water activities like kayaking, windsurfing, paddle boarding, sailing, swimming, kiteboarding and swimming. If you're not into water activities, you can bring the family and kids and have 'em run around the grassy area, have a picnic or let 'em play at Adventure Playground (currently closed) to burn off their excess energy. Good luck to some of you trying to force your kids to play outside as you might have to pry their electronic devices from their hands. Back in the day, our parents got mad if we played outside too much. Nowadays, parents get mad that kids don't play outside anymore. How times have changed. Sorry for going off on a tangent there. It's a nice area for all types of outdoor and water activities if you're into these hobbies. We do enjoy walking around here, and the views of the bay (especially on clear, cool days) are very scenic. Those are the pros, now I have to mention the cons. There's trash everywhere and that says more about us as human beings than anything else. There's plenty of face masks on the ground and broken glasses on the parking area of the pier side. There's garbage cans, but they are always overflowing. Don't know how often they get picked-up and cleaned. Plenty of cars parked along the pier also live in their cars, which adds to the filth and garbage. I have empathy for these people, but can't they at least clean-up their mess and trash? The roads on both side (entering and exiting the marina) needs some serious repaving. To say the roads are bad (especially when exiting) is an understatement. Its got more bumps than a teenager's face full of acne. I'm sure they can afford to repave the road from the monthly fee that they are charging these boat/yacht owners. Then the homeless encampment outside the marina is just a sad, sad sight to see. But that's just a miserable reality nowadays made worse by the pandemic. If you can overlook these things, you can still have a pretty good time here at Berkeley Marina. Just gotta learn how to navigate the good and the bad. #YelpChallenge2020 review No. 6
The Berkeley Marina is a great way to temporarily get away from it all!! Lots of walking trails, great views of the Bay, nearby parks and restaurants, water sports, lots to do here. I really miss the Pier not being open, used to enjoy walking out there after dinner and/or drinks at nearby Skates restaurant (Mostly drinks - Lol) One of the best places to catch the sunset, lots of parking facing the Bay!! Lots of people fishing here at all times of the day, so they must be catching something. I come here to run, walk, and relax, usually in that order, so it's easy for me to spend hours here without noticing. I've been coming here for a long time, and I will continue as this is one of my favorite places to come!!
Took the dogs here great place beautiful veiws. Gorgeous day with the family. It was a clear day and we could see the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. The views were gorgeous. There were many people walking their dogs and flying kites but it didn't feel crowded.
Walked the Marina trail loop with friends. It is a nice area to walk dogs. 4.8 mile trail. Clean and the path is wide. there is an off leash area for dogs to run and play also. A lot of nice people and dogs.
A beautiful spot! The Berkeley Marina quickly became one of my favorite weekend spots while going to school in the city. There is something here for quite literally everyone of all ages and physical capabilities. I visited on a warm Saturday afternoon and was pleased to see there were people literally everywhere. On the land, there were dozens of children playing on the playgrounds. My friends and I were walking by the Adventure Playground (a wooden, quite industrial-looking play area), where we heard what sounded like the hammering of wood. I jokingly asked, "what is that noise? Are the kids in there building the playground themselves?" To my surprise, they literally were. This playground offers the unique opportunity for children to build and design the play area themselves. There are forts, towers, and even a zipline. This is a great way for kids to build community and work with their hands. Right next to this is a more "traditional" playground with slides, swing sets, and all the works. There are also many walking/running trails around the whole marina. Along these paths there are benches and tables where you can have a picnic and enjoy the beautiful view of the bay. You'll see people being active throughout the whole area. The main paths are paved so they are accessible to those with mobility issues. There are public restrooms available that are relatively clean. The water activities are endless here. There are kayak rentals, sail boats, and just plain swimmers. There are multiple docks to launch small crafts and to take a dip. In the shallower beachy areas, there were children swimming. If you look off to the distance, you'll see the strong open water swimmers practicing in their wetsuits. You may even see people learning how to use a hydrofoil board. People are often flying their kites off the bay's breeze too. I believe this is truly a spot for everyone who enjoys the outdoors. But, must I warn you...beware of the squirrels because they WILL run up to you and they sure aren't shy. read more
5 months ago
There's plenty of parking in the lot at the end of Spinnaker Way or on the side of the road. The concrete pathway along the water makes for a scenic stroll through a tunnel of trees and vegetation. A good amount of park benches too, for enjoying the view of SF landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and the city skyline, though barely visible on this foggy day. Lots of lovely boats in the yacht harbor. A throne lab portable restroom on site as well. read more
I was in the area with my husband and we cruised along the Berkeley Marina. Beautiful day! I would drive by this area anytime. Didn't have time to go down, but next time! Worth cruising and driving by if you have out of town visitors that don't want to walk, but cruise along side. read more
One of the best places to see the sunset in the Bay Area. Back in the day, there used to be a little more liveliness. I remember when you could walk all the way out on the pier, which is now boarded up and like most of the facilities here, in various stages of neglect/disrepair.I doubt the city or county has the money available to fix it, but they really should consider a public/ private partnership to restore it to full glory. In the meantime, come here to watch the sunset, bike, fly your kite or stop in to Skates read more
Situated to the west of the city, the Berkeley Marina features 100 acres of parks (Cesar Chavez Park, Horseshoe Park, and the Shorebird Park) which include trails, slips to moor your boat, and the Berkeley Yacht Club. The marina also offers three prominent eating establishments, including Skates on the Bay, the Berkeley Boathouse (located in the Hilton DoubleTree Hotel), and Hana Japan. You also get a spectacular view of San Francisco Bay and downtown San Francisco! Man that view!! read more
6 months ago
1 year ago
I don't know if this place is actually called Berkeley Marina, but, it's what I known it as for years...so, that's what I'm sticking with. LOL. Plus, Google Maps says so. :) I've been coming here ever since Summer 2020. It's my go to place to get away and out of town when the temperature gets over 100 degrees. It's free and has everything one who loves being outside can ask for! Parking is plentiful earlier in the day, but, gets real scarce, real fast around 12 noon(But, it's free!!) There's plenty to do here: walk, sit/walk by the water, have kids play at the playground, eat (There's a couple restaurants nearby), ride your bike or kayak here. There's a boat rental shop here. read more
Tucked away from the bustling city called Berkeley, there is a marina with a long stretch out to the Bay. Wild turkeys meet visitors by the entrance. There is a paved walkway along the water. A park-like setting compliments the views. And plenty of parking options to choose from depending on how long you'd like to stay. read more
4 years ago
Considering that I was born and raised in the Bay Area, it took me nearly half a century to visit "Berkeley Marina". And considering just how much nature surrounds the 9 Bay Area counties, this has been one of the more popular areas that attract trails and pathways where you will see walkers, runners, cyclists, parents with strollers, and lots of dogs. Located at the very end of University Ave. and just about 1/2 mile from I-80, accessibility to this Marina is very convenient. I came here during the evening of Saturday 7/16/2022 from 7:30-8:30pm. I wanted to get a view of a perfect sunset and I must say, this place does not disappoint. During my arrival, there were other people also taking full advantage of the picturesque views while soaking it all in. As far as parking, it is free of charge but can fill up rather quickly during peak hours. The road to get here is not paved up to standards so it can get a little bumpy if you drive a smaller passenger car. I think a serious repaving is way past due since it has probably been a few decades since this has been done. On a brighter note, this particular marina has a ton of fun activities; one of which is the UC Aquatic Center that offers a variety of water activities including swimming, sailing, windsurfing, paddle boarding, and sea kayaking. However, since this was during the evening hours, none of these were taking place. From what I witnessed in the short time I was here was a large grassy area suitable for picnics. You will also find activities that are kid friendly including Adventure Playground and Shorebird Park Playground. As far as some of the other offerings nearby are a hotel and a few restaurants to choose from; one of which is "Skates on the Bay" overlooking the Bay as well as "Hana Japan Steak & Seafood" that runs parallel to University Ave. There are a few trash bins (many of them were overflowing though) as well as public restrooms. One of the most prominent landmarks here is the Berkeley Pier which was closed during my visit. However, you can witness amazing views of San Francisco and on a clear day, even the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. All in all, "Berkeley Marina" is an above average spot to visit especially if you're looking to get a view of nature and are on a budget. Keep in mind that you will see some homeless camps and vagrants around this area but they usually keep to themselves. And some of the trash piling up is a sign of the times with much of the funding being cut in these public areas. If that doesn't bother you, then this is a decent place to check out. My rating, an above average four stars. read more
Since I'm not a well monied yachtsman with my own crew of manly men, I consider Berkeley Marina the whole waterfront extending from University Avenue, not just the boat marina. I'm sure purists would pooh-pooh me, but I say let them pooh all they want. I usually come here by foot whether it's the pedestrian bridge from Aquatic Park (...miss those action figure statues...) or by way of the rustic dirt path from the Albany waterfront. The area makes for a relaxing stroll, and in its way, it encapsulates the highs and lows of Berkeley in one fell swoop. When was the last time you read anyone type 'one fell swoop'? The highs are the park areas. Cesar Chavez is a model example of turning waste management landfill into something more pleasurable, especially drone operators and kite fliers. Shorebird Park is for the kiddies with its nature center and hazardous-looking playground. It even has a beach of sorts. There's also that McLaughlin Eastshore preserve space with the dirt pathways and a lot of fenced-off weeds. OK then. And we're all still waiting for the Brickyard to open their fences next to the frontage road. The lows really relate to the economic and pandemic-driven malaise of the area. On the southern tip, HS Lordships has been closed and apparently abandoned since 2018. Now there's just a lot of homeless guys camped there and me with my faded memories of a high school dinner date that went awry. Perhaps the most tragic casualty is the Berkeley Pier which has been closed since 2015. Restoration efforts have been as slow as passing the voting rights legislation and similarly made me wonder if it will ever reopen. Once upon a time, it extended out to the bay for 3-1/2 miles. Who knows how much of it will be rebuilt? RELATED - Exploring Berkeley? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2CbVh8u read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
Of all the years living in the Bay Area, I've never been to Berkeley Marina until this year. One day, after walking Jaime at the Pt. Isabel Dog Park, decided to finally drive here to check out the area. I was surprised that it was actually pretty spacious. We walked around and discovered there are picnic areas, boat launch, UC Aquatic Center, Adventure Playground (for kids), fishing areas, bait & tackle shop, pier (currently closed), water sports clubs, a hotel, restaurants, chandlery, boat yard/dock and walking trails. It's definitely a spot if you're into water activities like kayaking, windsurfing, paddle boarding, sailing, swimming, kiteboarding and swimming. If you're not into water activities, you can bring the family and kids and have 'em run around the grassy area, have a picnic or let 'em play at Adventure Playground (currently closed) to burn off their excess energy. Good luck to some of you trying to force your kids to play outside as you might have to pry their electronic devices from their hands. Back in the day, our parents got mad if we played outside too much. Nowadays, parents get mad that kids don't play outside anymore. How times have changed. Sorry for going off on a tangent there. It's a nice area for all types of outdoor and water activities if you're into these hobbies. We do enjoy walking around here, and the views of the bay (especially on clear, cool days) are very scenic. Those are the pros, now I have to mention the cons. There's trash everywhere and that says more about us as human beings than anything else. There's plenty of face masks on the ground and broken glasses on the parking area of the pier side. There's garbage cans, but they are always overflowing. Don't know how often they get picked-up and cleaned. Plenty of cars parked along the pier also live in their cars, which adds to the filth and garbage. I have empathy for these people, but can't they at least clean-up their mess and trash? The roads on both side (entering and exiting the marina) needs some serious repaving. To say the roads are bad (especially when exiting) is an understatement. Its got more bumps than a teenager's face full of acne. I'm sure they can afford to repave the road from the monthly fee that they are charging these boat/yacht owners. Then the homeless encampment outside the marina is just a sad, sad sight to see. But that's just a miserable reality nowadays made worse by the pandemic. If you can overlook these things, you can still have a pretty good time here at Berkeley Marina. Just gotta learn how to navigate the good and the bad. #YelpChallenge2020 review No. 6 read more
The Berkeley Marina is a great way to temporarily get away from it all!! Lots of walking trails, great views of the Bay, nearby parks and restaurants, water sports, lots to do here. I really miss the Pier not being open, used to enjoy walking out there after dinner and/or drinks at nearby Skates restaurant (Mostly drinks - Lol) One of the best places to catch the sunset, lots of parking facing the Bay!! Lots of people fishing here at all times of the day, so they must be catching something. I come here to run, walk, and relax, usually in that order, so it's easy for me to spend hours here without noticing. I've been coming here for a long time, and I will continue as this is one of my favorite places to come!! read more
Took the dogs here great place beautiful veiws. Gorgeous day with the family. It was a clear day and we could see the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. The views were gorgeous. There were many people walking their dogs and flying kites but it didn't feel crowded. read more
3 years ago
2 years ago
5 years ago
Walked the Marina trail loop with friends. It is a nice area to walk dogs. 4.8 mile trail. Clean and the path is wide. there is an off leash area for dogs to run and play also. A lot of nice people and dogs. read more
2 years ago
Great little place to take a walk along the water trail, or sit out on a bench and have a snack while looking out over the marina. You get a view of the GG bridge in the distance which is nice. Not a lot of people until you hit the trail further along the waters edge. Groups of kite flyers tend to come here as the wind picks up pretty good. read more
Great place to watch windsurfers, get some air and take a walk and just enjoy the views. I love just watching the water though and next time I want to do the walking path as it appears to be well maintained. Many people are here but social distancing is kept up which I appreciate. It can be quite windy and cold here so make sure you layer up to be prepared. Folks are biking, walking and skateboarding too. Everyone is pretty friendly for the most part. read more
3 years ago
9 years ago
I love sunsets because California has magical ones everyday !! ($0.00) This place is a great sunset spot because you see the city in the distance ( an artistic silhouette) and the Golden Gate Bridge too. Score. The backdrop is magical and golden hour is fantastic here. I go to the marina often to sit and see the sunset. You can walk along the water or just pick a spot and sit on the rocks. The marina stretch is long and there are many watch spots to choose from. Just park your cars and walk !! I highly recommend taking people visiting the city or just going to admire the place you live in!! read more
4 years ago
This place never gets old for any of the following: dog walking, people watching, ferry, hotel and restaurant, nature exploration, pier walking, a make out season, or kite flying among others read more
11 years ago
Came here for July 4th Independence Day and it was pleasant. There were market stalls and food stands along the marina. Parking costed. I laid down under the shade of tree and it was a breeze. Read a book and just simply enjoyed the afternoon being there in the moment. Simple as that. read more
Date: 9/28/2015 Time: 1:00 PM 69° Sunny & breezy One of my Facebook friends invited my husband and me to the Berkeley Marina to release balloons for the safe return of her beloved pet chihuahua, Chico, who has been missing for a month now. It has been too many years since I last visited the Berkeley Marina. The only areas I remember are the Berkeley Pier for walking and fishing, the Hs Lordship Restaurant for brunch and dinner, and the kite flying area for the annual kite festival. Sadly, the Berkeley Pier is closed due to it being unsafe to do any walking or fishing. The area we were in was by the water. It had two picnic tables and benches and a barbecue grill for a small family picnic. There was a paved walkway for walking, jogging, riding a bicycle. On occasion we saw a few people walking their dogs. The Berkeley Marina is great place for relaxing, taking a stroll along the paved pathway, doing some kite flying, and admiring a beautiful view of the San Francisco skyline, the two bridges - Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge - on a clear day. There are more restaurant options than what they had years ago. I noticed Skates by the Bay, Hana and two yachts from the Hornblower docked next to the Doubletree Hilton. With the recent warm weather recently, Berkeley Marina is the place to be to get the cool windy breeze from the bay and then head to one of the restaurants for lunch and/or dinner. read more
The Berkeley Marina offers something for everyone. It's a great running route that you can also casually stroll and enjoy. You can come during the day and have a picnic or you can come at night and enjoy the city lights and the romantic atmosphere. It's also a great place to enjoy the sunset. Parking is plentiful and getting there is easy. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
6 years ago
This place is beautiful! The marina trails are long and spacious. There's a lot to do: watch squirrels, walk along the beach, skip rocks, look at the flowers, say hi to people's dog. There's a lot of people biking here and enjoying water sports. This is my pick for my daily government mandated outside time during COVID-19! I love the peaceful sound of the water and bustling of the trees here. It is a little windy and cold, so layer up! read more
9 years ago
This is a great spot to checkout if you're visiting the Berkeley area. It doesn't take too long to walk along the whole marina (about 45 minutes). The view is also amazing from here as you can see the city and the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. I like to come here around sunset as the view is spectacular during this time. This is a nice area for a picnic and to hangout during the day. There isn't much to do here besides taking the walk around and just sitting back to relax. I would also recommend biking around this area if possible because it is a really nice area to bike around. Also, if you are get hungry here are a couple of restaurants along the Marina which offers great food and great views - although the restaurants tend to be on the more pricier side! read more
15 years ago
I'll break it down to 5 bullets. . Great place to picnic with friends and family . Nice view of the boats, wind surfers, more . Small amount of dining places on the wharf and might be expensive . Free parking on the dirt . I would come back LOL read more
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More info about Berkeley Marina
Ask the Community - Berkeley Marina
Can you fish here without a license?
It is legal to fish without a license from a pier in California. Sadly, the Berkeley Pier has been fenced off and closed for repairs for years. As of today, 10 April 2026, it is still closed.
Do people hang out on the boats much in Berkeley Marina, or is there not enough room?
Not sure.
I went to here a while back and there was a spot that sold fresh cooked crab! Is that place still there? And if so whats the name?
Was it Hs Lordship's? If yes, it's closed. If it's skates, then it's open.
Review Highlights - Berkeley Marina
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11 reviews that are not currently recommended
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