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    Indian Rock Park

    4.6 (237 reviews)

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    Virginia S.

    It's worth it! A small, unexpected park full of 3 story boulders, plopped in a very Berkeley-esque neighborhood. Rocky steps are crudely carved into the side of the largest rock structure making a winding path to the top. And the view of the bay and GG bridge is amazing. It takes about 1 minute to get up there, just stay steady and wear flats! There's also a bunch of little alcoves to hide and explore. Think of this as a nice 30 minute stop to catch a nice view and say you kinda exercised

    Scott H.

    Like few places in the world, the San Francisco Bay area has amazing exposures of interesting geology. Indian Rock Park is an outcrop of rhyolite right in the middle of residential Berkeley Hills. This brand of rhyolite is officially known as the Northbrae Rhyolite. It erupted, about 11.5 million years ago. This spot is popular for rock climbers, and anyone interested in some quick fun and a beautiful view of the San Francisco Bay. Indian Rock Park is one of three Rock parks here in the Berkeley Hills within an easy walking distance. While parked at Indian Rock Park, walk-up Indian Rock Road to see Mortar Rock Park and Grotto Rock Park.

    Phil A.

    Talk about a unique place, Indian Rock Park is exactly that!!! This 'park' is one huge rock!! I had no idea coming here that I would be climbing up a rock!! Wear some good shoes when coming here. And respect the climb, because it takes a little getting used to at first. But once you got it and climb all the way to the top, there's some places to sit down and enjoy all the great views!! I guess you can call this a hike, but it's super short so I'm not sure about that. You can use the stairs which makes it easier, or you can go your own way for more of a challenge. Located in the Berkeley Hills, I came late on a Sunday so parking was easy. Definitely different!!

    :)
    Sarah M.

    BEAUTIFUL VIEWS. Indian Rock is a super easy climb because it's simply like a long and narrow staircase, but it is a little treacherous, precarious, and scary in the darkness of night (use your phone as a flashlight). The social distancing at Indian Rock Park is not good. Many people encroached upon my space when I deliberately selected a spot away from everyone. It gets crazy busy around sunset so that's the most active time. I recommend coming here and spending some time to breathe in the air, look at the views, and relax from all the craziness of this world (in a socially-distanced, responsible way of course)!

    Actual Rock Climbing on the backside
    Wendy K.

    What a nice surprise in this Berkeley neighborhood. I hope the neighbors that surrond the rock see it as a pleasure to have this structure here as opposed to being bothered by the foot traffic. A few neighbors could walk out of their front door, take a few steps and touch the structure. It's neighborhood parking, but I found one right away and it was directly across the street. SCORE! So there is a path of stairs that will take you atop the ROCK. But did you know that behind the rock there is a cave-like area where rock climbers actually bring their equipment - harnesses and foam pads (in case of FAIL) and actually attempt to scale it. I actually watched one guy give it a try, but he didn't seem to make it very far. But as with anything worth it, you must have patience. Unfortunately there was to much heat for me to stick around and see if he would make it. On the lowere level, there is a park bench shaded by trees and from that bench, you can see San Francisco. Well, it was an extremely foggy day so at best I saw a shrouded area that I think is San Francisco. This is a cool place to impress out of towners. Here's What I Think...I will come back at Sunset and possible even Sunrise.

    Back of rock
    Rebecca L.

    Beautiful hidden gem that not many people that visit the Bay Area go to and FREE. I love that it's a very laid back spot to just enjoy nature and each other's company. Parking is tough as it is surrounded by residential parking. Pro-tip if you are going at night- bring a flashlight and blanket/warm jacket. They do have a section with man made steps to make it easier to get on top of the rock. Enjoy!

    View of Rock from street
    JoAnn S.

    My biking/hiking buddy called and asked if I wanted to go on a hike or bike ride--I told her I really wanted to visit Indian Rock. We had ridden by Indian Rock on our bikes many times before and I was impressed with it's beauty and popularity even while surrounded by homes.  We ended up hiking from her home in Albany.  We hiked through 2 small parks on the way up the hill. John Hinkel Park was a sweet surprise that we walked through--I want to go back there shortly after it rains to see the waterfalls.  We also climbed up Mortar Rock on our trek to Indian Rock. I want to recommend parking at the base of the hill and take many of the paths through the neighborhoods to Indian Rick. Parking can be a problem at Indian Rock. Another benefit of parking at the base of the hill and walking up is the aerobic exercise. My friend measured that we had walked 20 flights of stairs on our hike. I would recommend wearing comfortable shoes that don't slip. There are steps carved into Indian Rock which makes it a pretty easy climb. If you plan on sitting on the top of the Rock for a while--I highly recommend bringing water. If it's a sunny day bring a hat, and if it is foggy or windy wear layers. For me, this is an amazing nature experience (but in a neighborhood)! It is very grounding to be there. You can easily go into a meditative state, or enjoy one of the most spectacular views in the Bay Area.

    Steps to the too of the rock
    Goku U.

    This place was fun and cool! I came down one afternoon to for a walk during the shut-down. There were 2 other groups on the rock when we arrived so there was plenty of space to social distance. The view was beautiful and clear - we could see SF and the golden gate bridge. As we were leaving, about 3-4 groups came (this was around 6pm).

    Indian Rock Park . Berkeley, California 5/19/2021
    Korina Y.

    You get a sweeping view of the bay , downtown San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge, eastern span of the Bay Bridge from top of the boulders. I'm in love with this place. When I moved to Berkeley from Daly City 20 years ago, I was working full time and going to school at nights , never explored the town. I wished I did but that's okay , here I am now. This is one of those few places where I feel like I'm home , in the right place and not out of place. When I sit on the boulders somehow makes me feel so calm, relaxed and my usually high anxious tense nerves chill out. Anyways, this is where the Ohlone tribal people used to hang out and chill out too. ( didn't see any grinding holes).

    Melanie B.

    Finally got to cross Indian Rock Park off my Bay Area bucket list! As many others have stated, social distancing here isn't the greatest. I only stayed for around 30 minutes to explore, but many people come here on weekends. I also have only bouldered a few times in my life, so I didn't come here to do that. It was more just to see the view - breathtaking, by the way! It would have been nice to stay longer, but there were just too many people. Climbing to the top was also a work out. Could have been just my pandemic stamina that made it seem like more of a workout than it really was. But if you find yourself in the Berkeley area, recently moved out there, or are a local who has never been, definitely check it out. I'd likely use the are to work out if I lived closer. Also note that this is in a residential area! Please be mindful of those who live nearby.

    Looking down from the top of the rock.  Everyone else is looking out at the drop-dead view.
    Tracey A.

    We agreed to meet in Berkeley and I promised to find us a place. I wasn't certain exactly what Indian Rock Park offered, I knew only that I was interested in checking it out. "I can't tell if there's hiking but if not we'll just go on a neighborhood hike" was how I put it. I arrived early, parked (ample street parking available), and scoped things out. Indian Rock Park spans both the east and west side of the street in this residential neighborhood but it is a sitting spot (or rock scaling spot), not a hiking spot. What it lacks in hiking opportunities though, it makes up for in ambiance. My friend arrived and I led the way up the rock on the west side of the street. This is the biggest rock and it takes mere minutes, if that, to scale. Reaching the top, we perched ourselves on a comfortable outcropping with a panoramic vista splayed out before us: the bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge, the Campanile, and a million other things. The sun shone gently upon us, providing warmth on an otherwise cool day. We'd been sitting there chatting for a while when I asked if she wanted to go hike the neighborhood. "Let's sit here a while longer" was the response. A while...an hour...two. Others came and went, pairs and solo visitors, and there we sat until we were both hungry enough to leave in search of lunch. When we returned later the sun was low in the sky. We made our way back up. People come here at all times of the day but even more of them come to watch the sun set. I had only my prescription sunglasses with me and about 5 minutes before it got too dark for me to get down safely I suggested we do just that. As we climbed down from the rock we looked back out at the fading view. "This is our new place" she said. I'll go with that. It's not a hike or even particularly difficult (there are actually stairs carved into the rock) but it's a wonderful place for a view and a little clearing of the head, or even just a long day of chatting with one of your closest friends. I loved it.

    Al L.

    Checking off the listing on the #localadventurechallenge, I saw Indian Rock. After reading Yelpers reviews, this park peaked my interest and I decided to check it out before picking up some food nearby. After navigating the confusing turnabout, I finally turned onto Indian Rock Road. This rock park is in the middle of a neighborhood and parking was easy. The rock outcrop has some carved steps offering an easy several minutes climb to the top, unless you want to challenge yourself and climb the face of the rock as some people were doing. At the top, you some great views towards the Bay and the surrounding areas. I was curious how this park came to be, which a sign at the park describes. The rock is an ancient volcanic remnant and after the Mason-McDuffie Company developed the subdivision in the area, donated this rock formation and others to the City of Berkeley. It might not be a traditional hike at Indian Park, but it is a nice way to chill out from the top while admiring the view.

    Winnie Y.

    Not sure I would call this a hike, but more of a viewpoint. The main rock is located in a residential area, so be mindful of where you park. The rock itself is relatively small in terms of finding a spot to sit that also has a view. The bottom half is blocked by large trees. I love that the rock has steps cut into for ease of access so it's great for all ages honestly. The rock is surprisingly clean (no need to wipe my hands off on my jeans). Great place to catch a sunset or just relax for a few moments. Not going to lie, but I've never stayed long because a rock is not the comfiest place to sit. With people coming and going frequently, seems like they have the same idea as well.

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    Review Highlights - Indian Rock Park

    My sister and I stopped by here to say goodbye to the Bay Area before heading up to Oregon for three months.

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    Codornices Park

    Codornices Park

    4.6(161 reviews)
    0.8 miBerkeley Hills

    This park is just really cool. On afternoons and weekends it's usually packed full of people. It…read morecan be hard at times to find a parking spot but shouldn't be too difficult to park on a side street if needed. There are several parts to this park. One is a flat area with a play scape and a cement slide. There's actually a tunnel nearby that goes under the road and crosses over to the rose garden, which is really cool. The cement slide is a must see for anyone with kids and even if you're an adventurous adult. There are plenty of cardboard boxes around for you to try it out. When I first heard about the cement slide, I didn't think it would be very fun, (cement and sliding didn't go together in my mind) but it is great! Then just a little bit south, above that play scape area, there's a baseball field. So many different people come here to meet. Some people for picnics, some people play soccer, some people play softball, some people bring their dogs. And then inside the woods behind the park, there are a picnic benches. I have a friend who had her wedding reception there. You can reserve them with the city. And then behind the picnic area, there's a hike and if you're very adventurous, there is a waterfall hidden, but it's not easy to find if you don't know about it. I highly recommend this park. During the winter, the baseball field is blocked off with Fence to protect the grass but other parts of the park are accessible.

    Nice park, good playground for toddlers, and for babies, nice large grassy area, sort of a mini…read morehike to walk around, some barbecue / camping table spots, right next to the rose garden, bathrooms.

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    The Berkeley Rose Garden - The Berkeley Rose Garden

    The Berkeley Rose Garden

    4.5(270 reviews)
    0.7 miNorth Berkeley

    Visited today with BB -- our first time here. We definitely picked the wrong season, as most of the…read moreroses have already been pruned. Even so, the garden itself is peaceful and well maintained. What really stood out was the view -- you can see the Golden Gate Bridge from the garden, which is beautiful and unexpected. There's also a constant sound of rushing water nearby (not sure if that's always there), but it added to the calm and made the few roses still in bloom more enjoyable. The garden is wheelchair accessible, though I will note the hill leading up to the entrance is very steep. They do have public restrooms and tennis courts on site, which is nice. Street parking only -- and be careful, cars come around the bend quickly. Overall, even though we missed peak bloom season, it was still worth the visit for the views and the atmosphere. I'd love to come back in the spring when everything is in full bloom.

    This is a great spot for a quiet time of reflection and a stroll among some beauty. The roses were…read morein bloom many spots while we were there, and the benches along the edges gave both spots for stopping and places for reflection. I loved the set up and how you could get close to many of the blooms, as well as see all of the space from the top of you weren't inclined to walk around. They have a water feature at the bottom and some other aspects that helped add to the tranquility. It was a lovely visit and I would highly recommend going there often if you are in the area or live close.

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    Shorebird Park Nature Center & Adventure Playground - View from across the Bay

    Shorebird Park Nature Center & Adventure Playground

    4.4(146 reviews)
    3.1 miWest Berkeley

    This Adventure Playground is a very unique place for kids. Unlike regular playgrounds with fancy…read moreequipment, this one is designed to encourage creativity, imagination, and hands-on play. Children can explore a more primitive, open-ended play environment where they are free to build, paint, and create. Instead of just slides and swings, kids get to use real tools like hammers and nails, paint wood, and build their own little structures. It's amazing to watch how children use their imagination here. They learn problem-solving, creativity, teamwork, and confidence while playing. Kids can: Learn to use simple real tools (hammer, nails) Paint and decorate wood Build small structures ‍ Climb and explore the handmade wooden playground Sometimes playgrounds don't need to be fancy. What kids really need is freedom to create and explore, and this place gives them exactly that. Best part: Free admission Kids can play for hours Encourages creativity and independence Beautiful location near the water Shorebird Park Adventure Playground 160 University Ave, Berkeley, CA A great spot if you want your kids to play, explore, and use their imagination instead of just sitting with screens.

    OK early morning stop. I wanted my parents and kids to see some water and we stopped by since we…read morewere in the area and this park is open early. It's too cold to go into the water but you can see a bit of San Francisco on a clear day. Its actually a perfect representation of the Bay Area for visitors. Cold, sky is gray, and rocks near the water is covered with slippery seaweed. At the very end of University Ave you can find plenty of parking and two of the odd/unique attractions. There is a giant sundial near the pier. Its 10 foot in diameter and a gift from Berkeley's sister city Sakai, Japan. There is a giant proto-asian culture style statue called "The Guardian" on the grass. The Guardian is an extrapolation of a six-inch clay and wood sculpture in a Buddhist temple in Penang. The city fiercely resisted Frederic Fierstein's plopping of the Guardian. Fierstein fiercely fought back. Fierstein gathered signatures and placed an initiative on the ballot in support of the Guardian. The worst thing about coming so early are there was a person smoking weed in their car and kept loudly cursing on the phone even with kids and old people visibly around.

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    Live Oak Park - Trees, creek, and stairway

    Live Oak Park

    4.5(37 reviews)
    0.6 miNorth Berkeley

    I love love love this park. There are several parts to it. There's a very nice grassy hill,…read moresurrounded by trees that you can lay a blanket down on and read a book or hang out by yourself or with your friends or family. And then there are tennis and basketball courts and then there's a kids play scape for younger kids and we spent so much time at this park. The community center is also very nice and they have plays or other events there. I've seen quite a few events there and have also taken Zumba classes. There's also an area between the two parts of the park that has a stream and picnic tables and we often met groups down there and had celebrations. I've also seen work groups meet there for lunch. My kids loved to go hang out there because there were so many things you can do there. The Parks in Berkeley, in general I find just amazing.

    This is a lovely park with plenty of lush green grass for picnicking and trees providing ample…read moreshade, as well as concrete stairways connecting to the creek and a bridge leading to the Live Oak Theater. I attended the showing of SF Mime Troupe's "Disruption" this past Saturday, an entertaining and comedic musical production reminding the crowd that everything is politics. In addition, I laid out my mat in the grass to enjoy a meal and read a book, appreciating the relaxing and carefree atmosphere.

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    Indian Rock Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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