Yep, this is one of the almost dozen rock parks that freckle the Berkeley Hills, but this one…read moredidn't necessitate a passion for rock climbing to enjoy it. Patience, however, helped since the location required winding through narrow residential streets. It's definitely an upward trek albeit on pavement, but the end result was worth. It consisted of an ideal patch of green surrounded by a low rock wall which provides climbing opportunities below for the more adventurous. For the rest of us, there's a nice panoramic view of the bay from the covered terrace. There are several picnic tables if you're looking to hold an outdoor party. I was just looking for steps. RELATED - Exploring Berkeley? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2CbVh8u

A tiny little space nestled in the middle of a residential area in the Berkeley Hills, Cragmont…read morePark pretty much serves one purpose, and one purpose only... rock climbing! I was here two weekends ago for the first time on a Living Social Adventures excursion, which consisted of two hours of rock climbing instruction from the team at Castle Rock Climbing School, and a BBQ lunch provided by Looney's Smokehouse (http://bit.ly/iAgzYa). I'll leave the reviews for those two businesses for later, as this is about the park itself. Cragmont can basically be broken down into two parts - the flat, grassy field and picnic area up top (including a dilapidated half court hoop) with spectacular views of UC Berkeley, downtown Oakland, and the Bay; and the cliff area below, which is used almost exclusively for rock climbing. The cliff provides just about enough room for the folks at Castle Rock to put up eight different courses of varying difficulty. Although I'm no formative expert on the art of rock climbing, I would say that there is an adequate variety of terrain to satisfy individuals of all levels. I am quite amazed at how mother nature could have created this topography suitable for a wide skill range within such compact confines, as if it were sprouted up from the earth specifically for rock climbing. On the side closer to the entrance, the wall is less steep, with more jutting ledges for gripping and securing your footing. As you head further down the path, this is where you can tackle some of the more advanced rock formations. Some are even partially upside down! I was kind of bummed at myself for only being able to go halfway up on the eighth and final course, but later on, I noticed that some of the instructors themselves were having a difficult time. Ahh... self vindication. Although the park is far up into the hills, access is pretty easy, and it is just a straight shot up on the main road (which eventually turns into a small road). 3G access is quite spotty though, so if you are using the GPS on your phone, it may cut out a bit. Would I suggest going all the way up to Cragmont for anything other than rock climbing? Probably not. However, the view alone is spectacular enough that if you are having a picnic, or perhaps you are a guy looking for a romantic, scenic spot to take a girl, it's worth a quick detour.

I wasn't able to run my last half-marathon to this awful flu/cough that's been going around nor was…read moreI able to get past the feeling of failure. Having trained for and run multiple half-marathons, I decided to create my own. I began my journey a block from the IKEA parking lot(lots of side street parking) and then made my way onto the trail which is literally across the street. It's a fast flat route but felt awfully lonely around 7am Saturday. Several cyclists passed me but I was the lone runner. There was a man sitting on one of the benches along the trail and I definitely got anxious. I carried on and saw many more walkers and runners at the Oakland parking lot. From there you can take the trail to a fishing pier or go onto the bridge. This was the highlight of the route as you get amazing views of Oakland and San Francisco and appreciate the structure of the "new" bridge. For those of you wanting to increase miles, add on Yerba Buena Island and Treasure Island. There are steep inclines so they were fun challenges. I also checked out the fishing pier when I came back.

This trail starts at the IKEA parking lot in Emeryville and goes all the way to Treasure Island…read more It goes under the freeway maze and along the Bay Bridge. Round trip from the start at the parking lot to the Treasure Island entrance and back is about 6 miles. It's a great place to run or bike, there are some bathrooms halfway along the trail. I've run here a few times, and running under the freeways and along the Bay Bridge is a good change of pace!!

A pretty awesome workout at this trail. We did about six miles in a little bit over two hours…read more(1300 elevation). There were mixed shades and sun. There were some rocky paths here and there. Overall it's a moderate and enjoyable hike with some great views along the way.

I am smitten. Been hiking all up, down, and around Tilden Park lately, and I have to admit that…read morethis is definitely one of Tilden's most gorgeous trails! Probably like top 3 in my book. It's also one of the most crowded hiking trails, but it makes sense. That still shouldn't stop you from visiting (even during the pandemic). I've hiked this trail from the entrance of Inspiration point and from the entrance of the Steam Trains, and both ways are absolutely stunning. But, I would definitely recommend the entrance from Inspiration Point if it's your first time. You'll get the best views this way. You can do an out and back on this trail or you can turn it into a loop by connect to the Big Springs Trail. I did the loops and it was about 6 miles round trip. The trail itself isn't difficult but it's filled with lots of gradual inclines. The main pathway is wide and paved. Many families with strollers use this trail. The Sea View Trail meanders through tall Redwood groves and lush meadows. It's also filled with so many amazingly colorful wildflowers! Probably the most that I've seen on a trail that wasn't centered around flowers. Lots of wildlife is present. The surrounding views of the Briones and San Pablo Reservoir are truly breathtaking! Couple that with the stunning views of San Francisco and its' iconic landmarks, and you'll be in for a real treat. This trail exposes the true beauty of the Bay Area. What I love about this trail is that it stays lush and green all year around. But you just can't beat the bright blue skies and charming spring and summer sunsets. This trail is also very dog friendly for those with furry friends. It's so easy to connect to several other trails within Tilden Park from Sea View, but you may not want to venture off from this trail at first because it's just that beautiful.

Warning: Google Maps and AllTrails will lead you astray! The best starting point is Montclair…read moreParking Garage - 6235 La Salle Ave, Oakland. However! Maybe drive to this area and then drive around nearby to find residential parking instead IF you don't want to pay for parking. OR I have a 1-time free parking promo code for ya haha. Paying for parking at this parking garage is a tad annoying because you have to download an app (ParkMobile), register an account, select the right parking zone (6501), provide your license plate number, and pay... it was a lot slower than grabbing a ticket and proceeding to park. The good news is that at the time I went, the parking attendant gave me a promo code: FreeMV. Since this promo code gives you a whole day of free parking, I may recommend doing the trail and then walking around to enjoy Montclair Village! Haha take your sweet time and enjoy that free parking! There are many cute shops, grocery stores, coffee, and restaurants in the village. When you exit the garage by foot, turn left and you'll see a sign for Montclair Railroad Trail. This is definitely the "start" of the trail because the trail markers increase from 1/4 mile .. to 1 mile at the end of the trail, and then 2 miles total when you return (it is an out and back trail). It is a pretty easy walking path. There will be a few others but lots of space to keep distanced. The history of the spot is cool - it used to be railroad tracks (lol yuppp hence the name!). There is a sign speaking to this history along the trail. Get some fresh air, check out a new trail, enjoy the village, and take advantage of free parking!

Very nice walk , good for people with walkers. Fairly flat and level. Lots of dogs on and off leash…read more, although leashes are required.

Come over here to read relax while daughter is at work…read more Doesn't make any sense driving back to East Oakland. So, I just chill relax, reinvent myself. Next week I will bring our pup to enjoy the other dogs. I'm going to go walk get some fresh air. I had my Bible time! Feeling Great!

The Ohlone Greenway is listed in El Cerrito, but it actually stretches from Berkeley to Richmond!!…read more It says that the Ohlone Greenway starts at Ohlone Park in Berkeley, but I first discovered it walking from Strawberry Creek Park to Cedar Rose Park in Berkeley. You don't get the walking under the Bart track experience in Berkeley until you get past Gilman Street. The path is 4.5 miles long, and yes, you have to stop at every block to cross the streets. I've seen people biking, running, and walking on this path, or trail if you want to call it that! Walking under the Bart track is a pretty cool experience, and is no doubt the highlight of this path!!

Somehow like Connie, the first Yelped for this location, we started at Clark Kerr Fire Trail and I…read moreguess the trail merge with Stonewall trail. There no real address, we parked on the street, next to the Golden Bears Youth Gym: 25 Sports Lane Berkeley, CA 94720 United States We parked cross street Dwight Way and Sport Lane like what Connie said Overall, lots of steps, lots of incline pet friendly, steps are stable wide and safe It was fun, will be going back again

We parked at the end of Dwight Way, next to Clark Kerr Track.  Walked up many steps then down and…read morebended right to an open area, to take in the views at Berkeley Overlook Vista Point.  Then looped back via Stonewall Panoramic Trail.  This hike was short, steep and filled with great views.

So underutilized and such a nice walk. Plenty of places to rest and eat a little snack.read more

Maybe the most valuable gems are those that we don't even consciously recognize. Goodness for…read moregoodness sake, but without ostentation, without look at me. Roots. Take the Emeryville Greenway as a perfect example. Recognizing that this particular emerald swath is off the radar of many in the Bay Area, it has its relatives that live in the various locales. Like the Bay Trail, the Filbert Steps, the Cleveland Cascade, the greenway in Visitacion Valley. Each of these special places has its own unique origin, each bring a unique benefit to the neighborhood in which they reside. In Emeryville, this Greenway was historically a spur off the main Union Pacific rail corridor, branching near what is presently the Bay Street commercial complex north towards Berkeley. This short line delivered freight and at one time passengers to businesses and destinations along the way. The last industrial customer shuttered in or around the 1980s and with the closing of this customer came the exhaustion of corridor purpose. Enter imagination, enter creativity. The repurposing of this few miles of former rail corridor as a length of walking/biking path, playgrounds, community gardens resulted in I believe far, far more than ever even remotely calculated. All the abandoned factories are gone, either rehabilitated for something new or taken down and rebuilt. The fenced abandoned land now grows herbs and flowers and vegetables. Go out on a sunny day which is pretty much all we've had in 2014 and it will be ultimately to our detriment for now it's so sweet and see all the people walking and holding hands and slowing down for just a couple of minutes in an otherwise frenetic day. From an urban planning perspective, there are four reasons that Oakland and Emeryville look as different as they do. The Greenway isn't one of the four, but it has the same fundamental genesis, the same roots. It's cool. A destination in its own right if planning trips your trigger; a side trip if something else has brought you to these parts. Next to the Horus, learning about stuff like the Greenway is pretty much my favorite part of working in these parts. Thanks guys, for making this all possible.

What a beautiful park. Are the play structures a little outdated? Yep, but they're there. They have…read moreone for the tots with a cute little train perfect for pretend, and they have a separate one for older kids with a long slide. Then, go down the hill to a big beautiful baseball field with 5 star views of SF. The trees, the cliffs, the flowers, the views. Swoon. Lovely Berkeley park that is so Berkeley.

Glendale La Loma Park is a place I visited a number of times when living in the Berkeley and Albany…read morevicinity from 2015 to 2019. The park had a few different areas, including space to walk, a small parking lot, play area(s), and a place to sit on some bleachers looking out over areas for higher energy activity. Grounds were consistently tidy and vegetation well kept. Each of my times here it was relatively calm and quiet. Other park visitors tended to be both friendly and mindful. Depending on the weather for the day, views looking towards the San Francisco Bay may have caught my attention.