Great wide walking/ bike path with occasional benches. If…read moreyou love airplanes (I do) this is a fantastic spot as the takeoffs from OAK go right overhead!!

parked at the ferry parking lot which is free…read more it was nice to ride bike along the water but the trail itself is bumpy not smooth. rode all the way to jack london square and the path to get there was not quiety as often you are riding on the should along with traffic. overall i think there are some better bike trail options that are easier to ride and smoother.

This was a nice Sunday hike around the Mills College at Northeastern campus in Oakland, CA. We had…read morea beautiful day and also visited the Mills College Art museum. You enter at the front gate 5000 MacArthur blvd. You'll Need to show ID. Dogs need a special permit- so most likely do not bring them. Parking and museum are free and everyone seemed welcoming. Now for the hike- I was confused where to go...but once I scanned the QR code on one of the trail posts, I could see the trail map. We parked at the museum and walked in a counter clockwise direction. Basically you are hiking along the perimeter of the campus - past sports fields, pool, chapel, farm, small cemetery, main quad area (called the oval). Part of the trail near Pinetop Hill was closed to us, but that was okay since we were ready to check out the free museum (featuring well known artists as part of the collection). If I wanted a peaceful getaway, with a new art exhibit , I would go back. It's a special gem in the area that I never had visited until today. Here's a link to the map: https://footpathapp.com/routes/efbdfeac-7ca1-48d4-8592-ac5535ebdbbd

"Peaceful, Hike, but Watch out for Beehives!"…read more Pinetop Fitness Trail is a scenic trail around the outskirts of Mills College in Oakland. The total distance is about two and a half miles, and it's an easy hike. Along the way, you hike through parts of the campus and see a cemetery, a community garden, and beehives. You can access the trail in multiple places throughout the campus. The security booth at the entrance to the college also has maps of the campus. However, the maps do not show the beehives. The day that I visited, the trail was unexpectedly blocked part way through. I had to figure out how to get back to the main road. This is a great place to visit if you're interested in a peaceful syroll through a beautiful campus. At the far end of the trail, near Pinetop road, there's a crest that you that has beehives. I'm pretty sure the bees don't like it if you get very close.

Ok, normally I'm short on praise for anything managed by City of Alameda government, but I have to…read moregive credit where it's due: the City has done a nice job with this humble but nice park. Back in the day, this park was known by another name, Jackson I believe, and it was largely a magnet for unsavory activity and kids getting into trouble. I used to walk by the park daily on my way to/from school, and it definitely had the vibe of a place to steer clear of. Well, things have definitely changed. Over the past few months I've walked through the park several times, mostly at night, and it's actually been nice. Clean, litter-free, well-maintained grass, nice benches, and a mostly safe and serene vibe overall. A nice place to stroll, sit, relax and reset. Reminds me slightly of Dunavski Park in my native Serbia - minus the swan lake. Anyway, good job here, City government - and that's a once-in-a-blue-moon sentiment from me.

For those of us who grew up here this will always be Jackson Park...would sure be nice if there was…read morea farmers market or something like that there...maybe some music in the old circular bandstand type building that I can't ever remember being used?!

I used to live within walking distance to this park and this was one of my basketball playing spots…read moreback in the day. I like how they dedicated the basketball court to Sarunas Marciulionis here. For those of you who don't know who Sarunas Marciulionis is, he's a Golden State Warriors player from the Run-TMC era Warriors who was from Lithuania, was one of the greatest international players of all time, and was one of the first Europeans to become a regular in the NBA!! But, back to the park. It covers one big block, has tennis courts, which honestly, are in pretty bad shape. Has a huge Football/Soccer field made from turf which is very nice. I do like how they made this on the hill, but the field is totally flat. I also used to come here because they used to have the Malcolm X Festival here once a year. I went with 4 stars because I have a lot of good memories here!!

This is a cute little community park and I like coming to events here. I've been coming here for…read morequite awhile usually to the event that eventually became the Malcom X Jazz Fest. It was fun. It's smaller than I remember. But there's a nice set up and there is a shady (under the trees) area and an open sunnier area. There are also courts where people can play with balls and that's a nice touch. One I don't remember from years ago. The playground looks new too and that's a nice touch. I don't live in the area, otherwise, I'm sure I'd visit a lot more often.

Shady trail, water streams and a cool tunnel midway through. Some areas are overgrown and some…read moresections require being able to reach 2-3ft cement blocks to continue. Some pathways can become muddy so be mindful if walking in cold or post rainy weather. Other walkers were nice and answered questions when my party and I got turned around. Friendly dogs with owners (some poop on the trails).

I think I got confused about what I was reviewing here. Initially I thought it was the well-trodden…read moreBridgeview Trail which appears favored by dogs and their passive-aggressive owners and apparently DIY gnomes. Then I realized I've also been exploring all the less taken trails hidden in the foliage within Dimond Canyon, but I didn't see an entry for the canyon. I saw this one for Sausal Creek, which has basically shaped the canyon and runs through it in theory. And so here I am writing about it. I would be dismissive in calling this area Oakland's hidden gem because I presume everyone in the Dimond district already knows about this gem. Besides, the omnipresence of graffiti-saturated concrete and partially blocked switchbacks prevented me from going completely gaga over the canyon. However, many pleasures abound with the redwood grove at the northern end of the Bridgeview Trail where it just sorta stops because Highway 13 is in the way. There are random swings along the way and a distant view of a much-used driving range below. Steep switchbacks from Bridgeview lead you down to the creek, and the absence of others makes the area feel like an unused movie set. That movie is either "Swamp Thing" or "The Wizard of Oz" depending on what time of day you're here and what the weather is like. The trails go southward and lead you back to suburban civilization on El Centro Avenue. Immediately south is Dimond Park, which appears focused on the kiddies. I usually leave that area alone lest a micromanaging parent taps 911 on their iPhone. RELATED - Up for a hike? Here's a collection of trails I've walked and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2OrC8nU

I have always enjoyed running on the Shoreline Trail in Alameda!!…read more One would think that this 1.5 mile trail that goes from Westline Drive to Broadway is flat since it runs right along Alameda Beach. Well, it's straight, but not exactly flat. There's a few restrooms and water fountains along this trail. Sand does blow up on the trail, and I have seen some parts get flooded with heavy rainfall. Also, some days it can get crazy windy here. The big parking lot on Westline Drive is free, but only depending on when you come. I've been coming here for a long time and when/if they charge for parking seems to change like the wind. But this trail is good for walkers and runners, I am glad they added a bike lane on the street, because they used to really sneak up on you on this trail quick!!

I have a confession to make…read more I didn't know the pathway between Westline Dr and Broadway is called the Shoreline Trail. I just thought it was the pathway along the Alameda beach. No, it's not perfect. Sand blows up onto the path and then onto the street. But the cool thing about this path is that there's no crossings. You will not have to cross the street, or worry about vehicle traffic when you stay on this walkway. In the old days, before they reconfigured Shoreline Drive, you had to share the pathway (trail) with bikes. Now, bikes have their own bike lane, and only walkers and joggers use the sidewalk. FYI- for anyone new to Alameda....Shoreline Drive used to be four lanes wide. That's why there's anti-cruising laws in place. Not a safe situation for bicyclists, that's why they rode their bikes on the sidewalk with pedestrians. But, that was the old days. Today, bikes have a bike lane, and pedestrians use the sidewalk (or trail). Ok, where does this trail go? At Westline Drive it continues on as a wide gravel trail into Crown Memorial Beach. At Broadway, you have the option of walking on the sidewalk or walking on a narrow trail behind homes along a marsh or bird sanctuary. You will enjoy great views of the Bay and the San Francisco skyline. Also, when walking on the Shoreline Trail, you will always have the option to go walk on the beach. Yes, Alameda's man-made beach! Anyone have any weird experiences when walking on Shoreline Trail? Did anyone else see the "old man in the suit and bow tie" out walking at night? It was about 10-12 yrs ago, I was out walking at 930pm across from the McDonalds. A figure was walking towards me. He stepped into the light, and it was an elderly man in a suit and bow tie, his face was pale white, and he said "good evening Sir." I turned and he disappeared into the darkness. That Halloween I told the story on social media. Three people said they also saw this old man walking at night along Shoreline Drive. They all said they never saw him again. Better enjoy that walk in the daytime!

Small park on the east end of Lake Merritt!!…read more This small park usually has a lot going on, live music, dancing, tightrope walking, I've seen it all here!! The benches are lined up facing the Lake, sit back and enjoy the view!!!

Lakeshore Park is one of many grassy areas around Lake Merritt where one can sit and enjoy the…read morescenery/sun. am sure many of them has their own designated names. Lakeshore is just one of the names. unofficial rules: -no calling 911 if someone is seen bbq-ing -no throwing belongings of others or your own into the lake. -no driving (either drunk or sober) into the lake -no diving/swimming into the lake (it's polluted) notes: -maintenance has greatly increased over the years. some areas around the lake look really nice.

This was a wonderful trail! Anyone and everyone you ran across was very polite and shared the…read moretrails easily. Lots of side trails in the area that'll take you out to different starting points so be mindful. The area was so green with all the trees, its a nice break from the cities. Trail was dog and bicycles friendly. Bicyclist were nice enough to ring their bells or make you aware of them as they got near.