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    Lake Temescal

    4.3 (167 reviews)
    Open 5:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Lake Temescal Photos

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    Jessica E.

    Have been here twice. I walked around the lake. There's people fishing and a small lawn near the entrance for people who want to do picnics. There is also a little creek that passes by. There is some benches and tables, but more towards the back part.

    Sammi L.

    Since my family moved to Oakland over 10 years ago, Lake Temescal has been a regular, sometimes everyday stop for us. It is one of the cleanest parks I've been to, and the park staff really go above and beyond. I've never seen park crews out and working and happy like I do at Temescal. The front parking lot off Broadway Terrace fills up fast, especially on weekends, so we usually go to the back lot. It's a great place for parties and large get togethers. We love coming to Temescal off-peak hours on weekdays with our dog. There's ample space to give way for runners, walkers and other dogs, and we love seeing so many kids and families around. The lake itself is scenic although you'll see way more people fishing than swimming. Not sure if I'd personally get in the water, but it's such a nice little escape into nature. Cannot speak highly enough of the park staff. They are always so friendly and have regularly recognized and greeted us and our dog. They keep the park amazingly clean, and they're always quick to say hello and chat with you. Such a special place.

    Phil A.

    I always enjoy coming to Lake Temescal!! Lake Temescal is much smaller than Lake Merritt, and it has more trails around it also. You can walk or run around this lake pretty quickly! It gets pretty busy on the weekends, when sometimes you have to pay to park. But one of the highlights of this lake is that it actually has a beach, man made of course, but cool nonetheless!!. There are restrooms and water fountains here also!! People come here to walk, run, picnic, bbq and fish!! I've seen some people catch some pretty good sized fish here! So when you swim here in the summer, you are swimming with the fish!!! There is a Beach house here also next to the beach, which can be reserved for all types of private events!

    Nicole P.

    Beautiful park with nice views and trails. Spacious, well maintained, and clean restrooms. Not a lot of parking, so it's best to plan ahead. Overall, it's a really nice place to enjoy all that nature has to offer.

    Está buena la pesca aquí pero ay gentes que dejan los ganchos usados tirados y es precaución para caminar

    Buen lugar para pasar el día con tus niñas niños le recomiendo este lugar para pescar también está muy buena

    Looking at the playground near the parking
    Steve C.

    This is a pretty accessible and clean park for families and small events. There isn't a lot to do here and the highway noise is non-stop and very loud. But you can find a few small quiet places if you look hard. The park staff keep it pretty clean and the restrooms aren't too bad, though they don't have the best ventilation, so the stench is a bit rough. But for the Oakland area, it's pretty surprising to have multiple safe restrooms without serious problems.

    Kevin W.

    A Jem of a park/small reservoir that is tucked away in the Oakland Hills, between Highway 24 and 13. Lake Temescal, overseen by the East Bay Regional Park District, is extremely clean with great views of the natural landscape, water, and overlooks the entire East Bay/Oakland Hills area once you hike up the hill-y trail. It's a good 2-3 mile hike that loops around one full circle. Would highly recommend this place for a picnic, a light 30-minute mid-day hike (for people who want to avoid high sun exposure), or for kids to run around while you enjoy the outdoors. There is ample benches, tables, play structures, and restrooms for the whole family to enjoy. There's plenty of parking within the Park Area (noticed there is a guard shack that usually requires a $5/day parking fee, when manned), with plenty of street parking for folks who want to try their luck at free parking.

    Montage of images from Lake Temescal
    Ed U.

    If you're looking for family-friendly in Oakland, this is definitely one of the family-friendliest spots because it's like Myers Lake near Mayberry on "The Andy Griffith Show". I was halfway expecting Andy and Opie to be walking by with their fishin' poles whistling and skipping rocks. But they didn't show up 'cause Aunt Bee probably had supper ready. Even so, it's a popular place for fishing as I saw somebody on every available pier. The lake is apparently stocked with a variety of fish. Otherwise what's the point, right? I didn't come here to fish. Rather I was taking advantage of the short trails that circle the lake. There's an elevated one on the hills along the southern shore and a narrow one right on the lakeshore on the same side. The other side is paved with a beach that hasn't been open since the pandemic began. Not that I would dip my toe in the lake. There appeared to be a lot of sludge in the lake when I was there because the lake has a lot of sediment runoff and is getting shallower. But hey, what does climate change matter when it's pretty? RELATED - Exploring Oakland? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2ObVcpQ

    Rachel M.

    Nestled between highway 24 and upper Rockridge neighborhood lies a beautiful peaceful park with a lake. There is a playground area, picnic tables, ample grassy fields, easygoing trails and a huge lake where fishing is allowed with a permit. I've been here for a summer work picnic and have walked here several times with my +1 for a tranquil stroll around the lake. The times I've been haven't been excessively crowded but it's becoming more popular as the weather gets nicer. If you drive, they have started charging a $5 parking fee, which we avoided since we walked from my place. We also noticed some folks parking outside of the park to avoid the fees. They also have public restrooms that are cleaned regularly but don't have a sink so highly recommend bringing hand sanitizer. Look forward to bringing family and friends out here in the future for an outdoor picnic!

    Lake Temescal
    Vuyelwa W.

    PICNICS - summer is all about being outdoors in nature and picnics and hiking . I love Lake Temescal. Hubby and I have been coming here a couple of times already . We bring our picnic basket our chairs and just enjoy the natural sunshine and beauty. On one side parking is $5 and this is the side with the gorgeous trees and pond . Another side is really an open field and less picturesque! Highly recommend lake temescal and will be back again and again

    What a cute little birdhouse!
    Chris L.

    "Cute Park, but Please--No Crank Calls on the Phone!" This is a fun little gem that is a popular picnicking and jogging area for the locals. The day that I visited, the southern parking lot was closed because of the virus shut down, but the northern parking lot was open. When the kiosks are open, you have to pay to park at each lot. Of course, if you join the Park Foundation, it's always free. I enjoy strolling along the beautiful lake and trying the several hiking trails. Although the facilities at the southern lot are temporary closed because of the corona virus, you can still walk into the southern lot. I parked on the street up top. I saw a lot of broken glass on the ground there, but since my car is old, I assumed it would be safe from robbers. Both the northern and southern areas have restrooms as well as drinking faucets. There is also a payphone in the southern parking area. The phone has a warning sign about not letting your kids make crank 911 calls on the phone. I couldn't help but wonder what kind of kids come here? I'm pretty sure other payphones don't have a warning about kids making crank calls. The day that I visited, I saw no one using the phone, crank calls or otherwise. There was no one else nearby, and I suddenly felt a strange desire to pick up the phone and start making crank calls, but I resisted the urge. I didn't want to be like those bad kids. Besides the two main parking areas, there is a set of steep stairs at Broadway Terrace that you can use to access the park. It's really not that difficult, and it's a peaceful and beautiful way into the park. One of the more interesting features is the small pond called the Sediment Detention Pond. It was built to keep debris from getting into the lake area. The green pond tends to look scummy, but it's serving a good purpose. There is also a cute footbridge nearby. Try to not fall off the bridge into the pond scum. This facility is actually operated by the East Bay Regional Park District. Technically, the name is Temescal Regional Recreation Area. Several information plaques explain how the creek runs through this area and how earthquake upheavals have changed the course of the creek. Very informative! There were no earthquakes the day I visited, although there might have been some small ones that I didn't notice. There's an interesting historical feature at the north of the lake. It's called the Landvale Station Trail. There are several information plaques that explain the historic train route.

    Marlon T.

    Lake Temescal is a little piece of paradise near the Oakland hills. It's really easy to get to near the highway 24/13 exchange. My wife and I looked at Lake Temescal as a potential place get married at, or at least take some of our wedding pictures. We chose another location, but we've always wanted to go back. The day we was visited it was nice to see the scenery, but we didn't actually walk around the entire park. Because of this pandemic, it has been difficult to get exercise in at a gym or park. We went back a few weeks ago, and actually made it around the entire lake. That day we weren't in the mood to go for a jog, but we're itching to head back over there get in a few laps! There were so many people fishing, walking around, and having such a great time! There were several youngsters running around the lake like they were preparing for a cross country meet. It's such a nice place to pack a picnic basket, and honestly it's amazing that it's just a few minutes away from downtown Oakland. Come by, you won't be disappointed at this little oasis tucked in by the Oakland and Berkeley hills!

    June 2020 - Lake Temescal
    Reno U.

    Went here to celebrate our bro's birthday June 2020. It was a perfect 70 degrees and our party of 10+ made sure to socially distance ourselves as we walked around Lake Temescal. It's a quick less than a mile hike so we did it twice before calling it a day. A great place for families to hang out on the lawns, to fish for catfish or trout, and quick hikes. Don't hesitate to check it out! 4+ stars!

    Absolutely stunning views here!

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Lake Temescal

    Is the lake safe for swimming December 2020?

    No, the swimming season is closed.

    Are dogs allowed?

    Yes.

    View All 6 Questions

    Review Highlights - Lake Temescal

    There are BBQs, docks to enjoy the still water, and a trail enables you to run the perimeter of the park.

    Mentioned in 7 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Doyle Hollis Park

    Doyle Hollis Park

    4.4
    (26 reviews)
    3.2 mi

    Nestled in a neighborhood of Emeryville off 62nd lives a park full of climbs, spins, slicing and…read morerocking. Parking is street in a residential area, free of meters and parking time limitations. The park is closed off to traffic, so crossing between the tot and big play areas is pretty safe. It is very quiet, even with the sounds of children and adults. There are two benches directly on the play area of the big kids (5-12), with three additional double benches with attached tables. There are well maintained, stocked restrooms directly off the big kid play area. Littles and parents will have to time their potty time as it is about 30-45 seconds from the tot play space. Definitely a cute little neighborhood park to visit if you are in the area.

    Found a surprisingly nice little park!…read more It's not very big, but the design is thoughtful, clean, and comfortable There's plenty of shade , so even on sunny days it's not too hot--perfect for a relaxed playtime. Playground features: Slides, climbing structures, and spinning toys--great for kids of different ages There's also a toddler area , so little ones can play safely Special highlight: There's a community-donated free toy area Lots of different toys to play with--kids will feel like they've discovered a new playroom Bonus: There's a small path running through the park Kids can safely ride scooters or bikes--spacious and easy to move around Amenities: Restrooms (big plus!) Benches for parents to relax Heads up: Parking nearby can be a bit difficult, so plan some extra time or go earlier

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    Big kid play area (5-12)
    Big kid play area (5-12)
    Doyle Hollis Park
    Doyle Hollis Park

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    Jean Sweeney Open Space Park

    Jean Sweeney Open Space Park

    4.7
    (47 reviews)
    5.1 mi

    Never disappointed with a visit to Jean Sweeney Park. Our daughter enjoys the various play areas as…read moreshe navigates between the different areas, existing in some spaces longer than others. After parking, if you can find a spot, the first play area includes a trampoline, climbing structure, a wide metal slide and an oversized musical chime. To the right, a spacious mesh swing spins with kids constantly filling and spinning it. Directly in front is an ample sand area with a brick barrier surrounding it. To the left are three picnic tables. In front of the sand area is the smaller kids play area which is directly next to the restrooms and water fountain. To the left of the little play area is the zip line. When you go further in to the park, there is a covered area with lots of picnic tables and seating grouped together, more benches and lots of grass to play and explore further. There are paths to ride bikes, scooters, roller blades and skateboards. During warmer weather this park is packed. When we visited, following a prior event, there were already lots of kids on a gray, windy, overcast day. This park is spacious on the interior but parking on the exterior is limited. The parking lot is minimal for the amount of space to explore, which is awesome but makes it difficult to navigate up close parking. Street parking is not really existent unless you enter on the opposite end of the park.

    Great park! First time there and my 4.5 yr old daughter loves it. Clean and big playground. Has a…read moretrail to walk around and if you have your doggy, great trail to walk around. Downside to this park, small parking lot!

    Photos
    Restrooms to the right and water fountain
    Restrooms to the right and water fountain
    Little kids play area
    Little kids play area
    Jean Sweeney Open Space Park

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    East Bay Regional Park District

    East Bay Regional Park District

    4.7
    (595 reviews)
    5.6 mi

    This park is fantastic. The first time we visited was back in 2018 and honestly we can't remember…read morewhere we parked or which trails we hiked. But I know we enjoyed ourselves. Fast forward to yesterday. We had a restaurant in Albany that we wanted to check out so of course we had to hike first to get our appetites whet. I found a loop I wanted us to try on AllTrails. It's called the Dunn Trail--Monteiro Trail Loop. We parked at the Richard C. Trudeau Conference Center on Skyline Blvd. It was the perfect spot to start. Free parking. Public restrooms (even flush toilets!). If you have a dog, most of this trail is off-leash which I have never seen before. Every dog we saw were well behaved and having a great time. We don't have dogs of our own but I am a big dog person. This particular loop was exactly what I was looking for. It had several different biomes. Despite what AllTrails said, it is not all shaded but it was a beautiful, sunny, windy day. We saw lots of wildflowers blooming. We found there to be a difference between AllTrails and our measurements. AllTrails said it was roughly 500+ ft elevation gain but ours said 1000. That's a huge difference! But I would believe ours over theirs. There were a lot of inclines. Also, their's said it was 3.5 miles but ours said a mile longer. The trails were all very well maintained. We saw gorgeous views, small waterfalls/creeks, redwoods, butterflies--just lovely. It was less busy than I anticipated but we arrived before 9 a.m. We finished by 11. This is a big park and lots to explore. Highly recommend!

    I went hiking at the Reinhardt Regional Redwood Park for the first time and loved it!…read more Plenty of street parking at the Redwood Bowl lot and we had no issues with vehicle break ins, luckily, although there were a few warning signs up to remind you to put your valuables away. There are bathrooms by the Redwood Bowl but we couldn't find any helpful maps so just used our phones to navigate. The trail we ended up taking was around 4 miles and took 2 hours. Most of it was shaded and among redwood trees so I really enjoyed that this could work as an afternoon hike. It's a moderate difficulty level with some steep areas. There's also a popular picnic area with grills and an archery range. You could even walk to the nearby swimming pool or visit the Chabot. We only did one half of the hiking loop so will be back to check out the other side.

    Photos
    Reinhardt Redwood Regional Preserve
    Reinhardt Redwood Regional Preserve
    Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park
    Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park
    Reinhardt Redwood Regional Preserve

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    Crown Memorial State Beach

    Crown Memorial State Beach

    4.3
    (169 reviews)
    6.0 mi

    Fantastic beach for younger kids, and a great option for East Bay residents who aren't up for the…read moretrek into the city or the even longer drive to Santa Cruz. The beach is clean and has useful amenities, including outdoor showers, picnic tables, and restrooms. I haven't actually used the restrooms, so I can't speak to their condition, but I can say I've never noticed trash on the beach, even on busy days. The crowd is generally respectful, which goes a long way. The downside is that the water isn't exactly pristine by appearance, smell, or feel...but you can't have everything. My favorite thing about this beach, aside from the fact that the water isn't freezing, is how shallow it stays. I can wade out with my kid what feels like half a mile and still not feel like we're anywhere close to being too far from shore. P.S. Do NOT forget to pay for parking if you're in the lot. It's yellow, located at the far end, the fee is 5 dollars and it's easy to miss. Also, they don't accept Discover debit.

    In The Teen and I's new Friday ritual of water watching before we head home, we stopped by Crown…read moreMemorial before heading through the tunnel to let traffic die down a bit.. This was definitely the place to be back in the day! Parking was a snap and we found a bench to sit on starting the water watching. The view was awesome and the sun was shining just like Bob Marley said. There were people, young and old playing in the sand, lots of bike riders, and of course, those dog walkers. The Teen put the phone down and ventured out and some sand, touching and driftwood drifting.. Definitely, we will be back when it gets warmer with hopes of finding front row parking again!

    Photos
    Crown Memorial State Beach
    7/2022
    7/2022
    Crown Memorial State Beach

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    Lake Temescal - parks - Updated June 2026

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