I told my friend I wanted to take the pup on a hike and he suggested Indian Rock. I had my full workout gear on only to find out that it takes 30 seconds to get to the top. But once we did, the view of the San Francisco Bay was spectacular. We sat there for half an hour, playing with Benji and talking about life. It got a little windy at the top but it's a good place to contemplate the meaning of life. read more

Gosh I wish we had places like this in Florida. Such a cool park. There are signs that say "Dog must be on leash" but no one seems to follow it. Haha this park is nestle in a residential area and has a great rock formation emerging from it. There are some man made steps that lead to the top which has a great view of the city and could be super amazing on a clear day. Towards the right side of the rock is a good bouldering area if you are into that stuff. Lucky I had my gear on me and was able to run through a couple easy problems. But defiantly have a partner and a crash pad if you want to do some higher problems. With the naked eye I'd say it's at least 20'. The bottoms half looked a bit tricky in some areas but more grippy as you get higher up. But just a quick look through. All in all very cool park. I'd love to come back here again with more gear or even just to relax with a great view. read more

Don't take your kid. Just joking. Great SF views, fairly easy to climb. Want to make my kid wear a helmet near the cliff side--but It's definitely teaching him how to assess risk. read more

For those who want to get some monkey action and plan to really climb, this spot has some great routes along the northwest faces. The rock is rhyolite which means lots of crimpy but solid finger work. There's some good easy bouldering, and a V0 35-ft traverse on the smaller formation west of the road. The back of the main one has more difficult climbs though you'll likely be competing for footing. If you don't have a billy goat scamper there are stairs notched into the south eastern face on the left. The sunsets here are like an obscenely warm, fuzzy grandma hug. Romantic addendum to my first review: when leading your paramour around the park to see the rock in all its multifacted splendor, meander down the Indian Rock Path #2 to the break in between two houses for a surprise breathtaking vista. It'll whet the palate for the entree on top! read more

Twinkle, twinkle little star, Oh, heavens, is that a cop car? Up upon the rock in the night sky, Don't climb after ten, let me tell you why. The Berkeley police patrol this area like hawks, assuming that they'll bust some teenagers with forties and pot. Which they will. I didn't know about the hours and climbed up around midnight once upon a time when I stayed up that late. I was feeling creative and wanted to do some long-exposure night photography. With three bridges and an unfettered view of the city, day or night Indian Rock is gorgeous. Unless you want some pictures of blue and red sirens, leave at closing time. I was peering intently into my camera (btw, setting up tripod on a craggy rock is hard!) when I heard the sirens whooping and a few flashlights illuminating my silhouette. "I'm just victim of circumstance", I yelped. My ignorance of the hours got me off with warning, though I think they tailed me for sometime to see if I was drunk. Now that the sky is dark earlier, be a straightshooter and go when you're allowed to. Unless you're feeling lascivious and naughty, then by all means go in the middle of the night. read more

This is one of my favorite little spots to hang out in Berkeley. It's in a nice little area with lots of safe looking people and it's something that I can climb without worrying too much about injuring myself! The view from the top is astonishing. You can see the whole bay from here and there are lots of spots to hang out and watch the sunset. There aren't many moments in life where you can sit quietly and be content, but a few of those I've found on top of this rock :) read more

That's it, I'm calling it. The Bay Area is awesome. Lately I've been on this personal quest to make no plans, fly by the seat of my pants, and experience everything that's new with the curiosity and wonderment of a child. Let it be known, my quest is working. It's like beginning to read a really really long book you know you want to savor and devouring each page with extreme appreciation and knowledge that it'll never be new again. That's what this feels like. Part of this whole being new to a place, exploring the crap out of it, and savoring every moment experience has come with some amazing discoveries. Indian Rock Park being one of them. Amid a late and windy night, two bleary eyed but invigorated hopefuls scaled the stone in search of sweeping views of Berkeley, Oakland, and off in the foggy distance, San Francisco. From the top, the bridges, the lights, and the endless expanse of twinkling life beyond our altitude made me realize I was totally in love. As I gushed and swooned, I decided it be best to play it cool for a while, but all the while realizing I'd likely replace coyness with an outright devotion to the East Bay. read more

Cool little spot where you can enjoy grand views of the Bay Area and watch people boulder. There are two ways to get to the top: boulder/climb (it looked scary from where I was standing), or just follow the steps on the other side. You'll want to wear some closed-toed shoes. It gets crowded and you have to park on the street, but the views are worth it! read more

Another childhood stomping ground. A family favourite, especially for The Sibling. The Sibling and friends have had many play dates when they were sprogs. It seemed we were here every other weekend day. The parental units would bring food to share for a family group picnic. The older siblings would play and talk amongst themselves about all sorts of topics, among them being about the younger siblings, who were having fun playing, they were the reasons we were at Indian Rock Park. I remember one of them had a birthday party here. I remember the food and the birthday cake being good. The Guest of Honor and his friends were playing Cowboys and Indians at this park which seemed appropriate at the time, which was normal for young ones being the age of single digits. I remember when my (late) dog Sergio and I walked home from the veterinarian's office instead of taking a taxi home. Indian Rock Park was one of our rest stops. It was a good workout for both of us. Sergio rested and slept the rest of the day when we got home. I have driven by many a time by Indian Rock Park since then. I see many families having many of the same rituals we used to have. I envy--in a good way--of the residents who live quite near Indian Rock Park. Just right at their doorstep and another backyard/play area for them. Lucky families! Fresh Review #28 of 100 Yelps! for 2013. read more

I don't know much about Berkeley, well except there's some public university there known for smart people and a decent football team. And maybe some hippies and crazies that sit in oak trees. But yep other than that, not a whole lot. So given the chance to meet up with a semi-long-lost-friend, I made the best of it and requested the Berkeley tour. And what a tour it was. Now really I'm directionally challenged so I have no idea how we got here, but wow who knew what a gem is sitting here in Berkeley. A full 1,000,000,000,000 carat gem. The rock is a nice size, there's steps cut into it for easy access. And people just come on up to hang out and enjoy the great Bay Area views. Come here with your loved ones and relax, enjoy a picnic, and the serene environs. Don't bother bringing your enemies, this rock isn't big enough to toss them to their untimely but well deserved deaths. Ummmm, yeah anyway, nice rock, great views, a Berkeley treat... one of three things to know about Berkeley. read more

After you get yourself some Zachary's Pizza on Solano Ave, stroll through the safest most pedestrian-friendly neighborhood in town up to Indian Rock for some breath-taking views. From a bird's eye view atop this massive spectacle of a boulder, you can see most of the Inner East Bay and across to the Bay and Golden Gate Bridges. Indian Rock is the jewel of Berkeley and is located in the Eucalyptus-filled foothills of North Berkeley. From the immaculate air in the neighborhood to the giant boulders situated in the front yards of beautiful Craftsmen and Dutch style homes, this area of Berkeley is second to none in architecture and overall closeness to natural beauty. The main Rock itself is massive, I'd say about 2.5 stories to 3 stories high, at its apex and roughly the same in diameter--and it's planted firmly and naturally in between residences and a long, paved pedestrian path which leads to the Solano Stroll restaurant shopping avenue. For builders to have made the decision to design homes around this behemoth of a rock formation was amazing foresight. And it is certainly a sight to behold when passing through the city. read more

I wonder what the percentage is for the number of people in Berkeley who actually know about Indian Rock/have been here before. Frankly, it's HELLA low. Indian rock is THE perfect gem in Berkeley that you gotto visit if you are a student or resident. To be honest, I'm one of those kids who always told myself that I'd check out Indian rock, but never took the time to. Boy was I glad I did. Indian rock is easily accessible up north Berkeley by walking up shattuck or driving. There's plenty of parking around the area, but be careful with the hills. Once you get here, don't be scared about climbing up. There's actually steps you can take but be careful with footing! When you're at the top you'll get to enjoy the most orgasmic and epic view of the Bay Area RIGHT at the doorstep of Berkeley. What's more to love and live than this? So when someone (cough significant other) asks you about views in Berkeley, you already know what recommend! Have fun and prosper, read more

I have yet to be wowed by any of Berkeley's commercial districts (who knew the Gourmet Ghetto would look just like any other (admittedly mature) suburban strip?), but the winding, leafy streets of the North Berkeley Hills...now that's a siren call to leave the heady rush of SF for an only slightly less overpriced existence sipping tea in your million-dollar faux-cottage amongst the redwoods, maybe raising some organic zero-carbon kids while you're at it. So if you find yourself strolling around up here and contemplating your future lifestyle, make sure to swing by Indian Rock Park for a classic view of San Francisco and the bay. And ask yourself: if I break up with SF, will it be awkward to still be seeing each other like this all the time? Or should I just make a clean break and head for Portland? Decisions, decisions. read more

It's a big rock in the middle of Berkeley. You climb it, stand on top, look out onto the bay, and realize how minuscule you are in the grand scheme of life. A great place to take cute-sy pics too! read more

Every time I came here, I could just sit here for hours staring across the East Bay in new appreciation of my home. My boyfriend and I designate this spot for our picnics. This past Sunday we picked up our items from Andronico's and trekked up to the rock with our books in tow. It was blazing hot, but it was worth it all. I even found myself nodding off at one point once I used my purse as a pillow. It does get super busy on some days, but it is well worth an hour or two of your day to just stop and appreciate the view and some clarity. read more

Best overlook hilltop! Better than Big C. Here we have a beautiful view of the Bay Area surrounded by scenic views of Oakland, the Marina, the City and surrounding nature. You can even see the Golden Gate Bridge! Perfect chill spot. Very picturesque from any vantage point of the rock. Feel the wind blow your hair as you relax and lounge on the hillside. The sun radiates strongly as you're sun tanning or having a picnic. Parking can be a hassle but definitely worth it for the views. Side access has walking steps and is much more accessible. Arguably the best time to go is when there's a sunset. read more

Go on a day that isn't crowded and your kids will love it. Stop in on a clear night and enjoy some amazing views. A worthy 20-minute stop on your way to or from your favorite north Oakland - Berkeley haunts. If you're into bouldering or rock climbing, these are rated rhyolites and will provide a few hours of 5.11 fun (ok I don't know the ratings). If you've got the time (and energy), you can find more outcroppings at nearby Mortar Rock park. Both parks (I believe) are dog-friendly. read more

Giant rocky outcrop in North Berkeley with cool views of the San Francisco skyline from across the bay (just blocks from restaurants and shops on Solano Ave). Come during the day and clamor around like mountain goats with local kids; come around sunset and be joined by a dozen or so romantic little hippie picnics. read more

It's consistent. Because it's a rock. Sometimes there are creepy people here (-1 star) but mostly, it's a good spot to relax and gain some perspective in life. Plus any amazing happenings in the sky (lunar eclipse, star shower) look amazing from here and it's less risky to get here than up to inspiration point in the pitch dark! read more

My Son is now 18 and he still loves Indian Rock Park. It took him here last Saturday and he lingered for hours, while climbing around, talking to folks, and taking in the views. It was a special day for him, and I was blessed to be part of it. read more

I bet all those haters, those people who taunted and mocked the rock collectors in grade school, are all kicking themselves now! Rocks are back baby and bigger than ever! They're great for bouldering, climbing, and taking first dates for a sunset view from the peak. I suggest men (and women) use this line, taken from the tv series Touching Evil: "When I say you're beautiful, I don't mean you're beautiful in a sexual manner. I mean you're beautiful like the night sky is beautiful, like birds in flight are beautiful." read more

A Berkeley staple indeed. Boys - bring your girl here to make her swoon. Girls - hold on tight, cuz you'll be sittin' high on a rock, head over heels for your guy. Bring a backpack for your food, as it is too hard to climb up the rock unless you and your bags have a perfect balance... or you can just sit on the benches and/or eat at the park right across the street. Try to plan this trip on a sunny & clear day so you'll have a gorgeous view of Oakland / Berkeley / SF / Bay Area.... You'll fall in love with the Bay all over again. read more

While my car was getting broken into, far away in the Sunset district of San Francisco, in my own driveway... I was sitting on top of this lovely rock with my legs dangling over, peeling an orange. Absorbing the view from south of the Bay Bridge to Alcatraz and up towards Napa, with the Golden Gate looking a little less golden than usual through a far-off layer of fog. Noticing how measly downtown SF looked by comparison to the full peninsula. Chatting with lighthearted rock climbers about Yosemite. Testing out the telephoto lens on my camera. For this time at least, I quite enjoyed the bliss in my ignorance of my car stereo's wherabouts. There are more important things. read more

For Sightseers/Explorers: Wear appropriate shoes, bring a juicebox, a few clementines, and have a nice picnic/chat with a buddy on the top of the rock. The view will have you awestruck. Promise. For Climbers: It's springtime! Put your gym membership on hold and bring your precious, dirt-free climbing shoes to Indian Rock for some really fun climbs. A lot of people here have that one Bay Area Bouldering guide, so if you leave yours at home, ask to borrow theirs. Walk around the rock to the northwest side for prime bouldering action. If it gets crowded, hike up the hill to Mortar Rock to feed your climbing needs. read more

Awesome and it's beautiful!! It's not too big and long walk at all. It take 10 mins to walk the whole area! Nice view and walk on the rock is not too challenge tho because it has stairs all over already. Still very good place for seeing view and enjoying the nice day! I brought some fruits there and we sit on the rocks and eat while enjoying the view! Highly recommend for family, friends, couples and whoever you wanna show them! It's free as well! read more

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Not sure Indian Rock Park needs another review, but I'll try and make my observations unique. 1. Just have to drop in when we are in the area attending a Cal sporting event, visiting Downtown Berkeley, or frolicking around the Laurence Hall of Science. 2. It hasn't rained in awhile, so it smells like urine. 3. There's always plenty to see: Bouldering, Archery, Wildlife, and/or the view of the SF Skyline and Golden Gate Bridge ain't bad. 4. Looking for a way to mix things up? Have a scavenger hunt for alcohol containers. They tend to be out of view and lodged between rocks. Warning: Safety is questionable. I'm cool with my kids getting a few scrapes and bruises but a fall from up top might not end well. Use caution. read more

If you are looking for a good hike or exercise, Indian Rock Park is not that kind of park. It is basically a large rock at the top of a hill within a residential area. It is a great location in Berkeley because of its great view of the Bay. There is a short set of stone stairs that get you to the top of the rock formation. You can see the Bay Bridge and city skyline. You can also see Alcatraz on the left and the Golden Gate Bridge on the right in the distance. From my perspective, Indian Rock Park is a must see if you are in Berkeley. If you are visiting the Bay Area and looking for recommendations, feel free to message me through Yelp and I can share my itinerary, which includes my Yelp reviews. The information for an electronic copy can also be found via my Yelp profile. read more

This is a great place for the old, the young, and the adventurous. One side of the rocks has a small incline for an easy climb to the top with some steps to lead the way, The hardest part may be the first step which is a little high. The top of the rocks is pretty flat and has enough space for about 20-30 people to sit down and enjoy the sunset. On the other side is usually a group of boulders (rock climbers usually with a mat to break their falls) testing their skills and practicing with different climbs and grips. Its located in a residential area with a few parking spots in front of the rock park. We didn't have trouble finding parking in the area though read more

This place is awesome. My friend and I walked from Hoyt, expecting Indian Rock Park to be a hiking spot. We were all geared up, ready to conquer some trails. We definitely should've done our research, because there's no hiking here. It's just a rock. BUT AN AWESOME ROCK! We climbed around for kicks, and then went up the stairs to see that awesome view of the bay. We took Instagram-worthy pictures, goofed around, and then just sat and talked for over an hour. The view is absolutely gorgeous. The walk up to Indian Rock Park is also beautiful too - who knew that this area existed in Berkeley?! I'm used to the grungier Southside, and this nice residential area was such a breath of fresh air. I'm definitely planning on coming back here several times. It's a great place to eat lunch, chat about life, read, or just escape from the city. read more

This is a cool little spot in the middle of the hill in Berkeley. Its two sets of granite boulders in the middle of a residential area. This is the local place for climbers to work on some pretty famous bouldering problems. I am to understand that there are some pretty tough routes here, I only tried the easiest, "Beginners Crack". I made it but it was ugly. Anyway come here to climb when you don't have time to make it out to some serious climbing elsewhere, but bring your crash pad and some chalk... read more

This is a cool little park that's a perfect spot to bring a blanket, some take out, a cuddle buddy, and watch the sunset. My boyfriend and I came in time for the sunset, but ate our pizza on the way over to the park. Oh well. I saw other couples engaging on what we had planned to do, and it looked pretty damn cute. In any case, once you climb the "big" rock (there are several spaced out through the neighborhood), you'll get to take in a panoramic view of the bay. The climb up the rock is not tricky at all, as there are steps carved into the rocks- just wear grippy shoes. I definitely recommend making a trip if you're in the neighborhood and want to take in a great view in a memorable way. read more

Breath-taking views of the San Francisco Bay. It is an awesome spot to watch the sunset. I love to bring visitors to the San Francisco Bay Area to this park. It never fails to take their breaths away and makes a wonderful memory and photo opportunity. There is a beautiful Indian Rock pedestrian path next to the park meanders like a secret passage inviting explorers. read more

I've been here twice in the past year. I came here in the early evening with a huge group of friends including yelper Dmitriy S. It's a gorgeous view of around the East Bay towards San Francisco. We walked a lot and I had given blood the day before - probably not the best idea, but it was a good hike and the view made everything worth it. As for the second time, I came with another friend. It's a great place take a date. Great views and a great person to talk to = wonderful time. They have carved steps in the rock that I could walk in rainbows and a dress so you should have no problem climbing the rock. read more

I came here a long time ago and scaled the rock barefoot. That's what happens when you have lady shoes on that don't mesh with nature. The boy and I sat atop and watched the sun set. Great views, great moment. I should really go back there... read more

Quality bouldering in the Berkeley hills with gorgeous views! This is the first place I climbed outdoors, and I still come here often. I love to hit Indian in the beginning of the dry season to grind off all the rust of the long wet season of only smearing plastic indoors. There are tons of problems here for beginners, and some awesome classics for you more experienced climbers. And if you get your fill on Indian you can always run across the street and tackle mortar rock for some really high end routes. At the end of the day, when you're completely pumped and fried, you can head up to the top of the rock and watch the sunset while gazing at the unbelievable land we live upon, commonly referred to as the Greater San Francisco Bay Area What's really cool about Indian rock and surrounding park is the people. I've met so many awesome people climbing here. Even when the rock is packed, people are extremely courteous. And the surrounding community and neighborhood are a pleasure to be in. The park itself is not very large. And common park features associated with parks like plenty of picnic tables, and BB Q's, and bathrooms are scarce or not available. But the natural geological wonder of the rock and what it encompasses greatly makes up for lack of amenities. Even if you're not a climber, do not pass up an opportunity to indulge in a sunset from atop the Crest of Indian Rock. You just might find yourself back before you know it. read more

One of the best kept secrets in Berkeley. It's climbable in heeled boots - I would know because I've done to numerous times before. Particularly romantic during sunrise and sunset. read more

I went to Cal and lived in Berkeley and Oakland on and off for 7 years but I'd never seen this place before and I don't think I'd even heard of it. It's because I don't explore, apparently. So, we randomly ended up here on a sunny afternoon and the view was gorgeous. It wasn't completely clear but enough to see the Golden Gate. After gazing out for a while and enjoying the heat, I saw some people coming up from the sides where there were no stairs so we went down. Then I watched some bouldering. Pretty impressive. So even though the rock is marred by graffiti, it's a nice destination spot for some quiet time with someone you like. Parking was relatively easy too. read more

Not a long trek at all, in fact it was less than a mile. The views were awesome though! Fun to play around on the rocks too! Woulda been sweet to watch the sunset from up top, but i was with a dude and am going to save that moment for a special girl. Adios Indian Rock..i shall return! read more

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Indian Rock has a great range of bouldering problems with an awesome view of San Francisco from the top. Good place to go if you want get outside and boulder on a nice day but you don't want to travel very far from the city. I was working on the pegboard yesterday and couldn't quite get "White Man Can't Jump". I guess asian women can't jump either. For more info about the routes and beta: http://www.rockclimbing.com/routes/North_America/United_States/California/San_Francisco_Bay_area/Indian_Rock/ read more

I've been here once and I'm itching to come again. A friend I wasn't too close with brought me here to show me how to rock climb--"bouldering", he calls it. At first, I was afraid. I was PETRIFIED. But I survived! For a naturally occurring rock (how did it even end up here, was it deposited by a giant pebble-skipper trying to skip across the bay?), it has an extensive range of difficulty. As a first timer I found paths to climb--as an expert, he did also. As everyone said, the view from the top is amazing. There was a gang of guys sitting up there, watching the sunset and drinking sixpacks of beer. How bromantic. D'awwwwww. But the inside of the rock is even cooler--you can get pretty deep into it if you find the right cracks. I don't recommend if you aren't too good at climbing. I think I might have brushed death. Oh, and if climbing isn't your thing, there are steps cut into the rock so you can get to the top. No fear! read more