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.

Nice quiet little neighborhood park, with a small play structure, a picnic table, grassy area and a…read morehuge pinnacle rock, donated by Countess Lillian Remillard Dandini, in memory of her parents and siblings in 1963. The huge rock is steep and ideal for amateur mountain climbers. One of many Berkeley parks with rock features.

While the small playground is great for neighborhood kids, it's likely I won't here for other…read morereasons than to reach higher ground. There are two main welded tuff crags ranging from 5.7 to 5.11 though the bulk of the climbs are in the intermediate range. The bolts are easily accessible, though you should take along some 4' long slings. Be sure to come prepared with water as there's no spigot (or restroom for that matter.) The open spaces aren't big enough for frisbee or the like, but the trails are pleasant though short. It's a solid spot to stay for a picnic as the grass is verdant and cool, shaded by magnificent trees, eucalyptus permeating the air. Breathe deeply, you're out of the city.

Smaller park with not all that much going on - but its special somehow. Its open, it has some large…read moreboulders or rocks and the altitude adds to appeal. If you have little kids they might not like this. Older adults are more likely to appreciate what this is here. Not many improvements or things for little ones to do but there is open space and unusual looking rocks. No faces that I could see - you have to have imagination but still, they command attention. I don't really like dark thickly wooded areas. Its seems creepy and my imagination could run wild thinking about what might lurk nearby out of sight. This place is open, has fresh air and is not all that popular... all things that could make this a good place depending on what you like. I felt it was serene - peaceful. Bring your (leashed) dog here - both of you can sniff around instead of the same old place for the 30th time.

** The following review reflects my experience DURING the COVID-19 pandemic. **…read more OK, I give up. Which rock has the face, and whose face is it? Am I taking the name too literally? Hey, I wasn't expecting Mt. Rushmore, but I was looking for an outcropping that could pass for a nose or maybe an ear. On the plus side, this rock park has actual green space flanking the boulders. You can find it off Arlington Avenue on Thousand Oaks at San Fernando. There are two benches, a picnic table, a water fountain, and of course, the rocks to climb on if you're so inclined. Adjacent to the park is Indian Trail, a rocky path that takes you down to The Alameda. Now, could someone show me the face? RELATED - Exploring Berkeley? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2CbVh8u

Amazing Park on the edge of the Oakland / Berkeley hills. I guess you could call this an urban…read morepark, although after a short walk on the trail, you feel like your deep in the forest. This is another one of the hidden gems in the San Francisco Bay region. Probably not worth a special drive for a hike here, because it's relatively short. But I recommend a little exploratory walk from the Claremont.

I know some people say that people here are soft because they complain about the elevation. It is…read moreno joke! A friend and I met up for a walk and we decided to meet at Garber Park. Based on the reviews here, we designated a meeting spot (Evergreen Lane) which is crucial since there are multiple entrances to the "park". Also, it's not much of a "park" - it's a few different fairly vertical trails. That would be okay if that's what we were looking for....but we were looking more for a casual amble. It's also tough to chat because the trials are narrow and you typically have to walk single file. That being said, it's a nice, vigorous hike that's fairly accessible and easy to get to.

One of those backyard discoveries that makes me question why it's taken me so long to actually get…read morehere. Welp... I finally made it here. And it is truly sensational. I've pretty much been all up, down, and around Tilden Park. But even with that, I always seem to discover trails that I've never hiked before. It's a huge park, so that makes total sense. Wildcat Peak was one of those recent discovery trails and vista points for me. I've always seen it on the park map, but you know when you get used to hiking on your favorite trails and you neglect all of the rest? That was me. I mean, that IS me. A creature of habit I guess. So on this very day, I decided to explore a different part of Tilden. Entered the park through the nature area and started near Jewel Lake on the Wildcat Creek Trail. This trail is super easy, flat, and partially paved. You'll pass by Jewel Lake along this trail. Turned right onto Sylvan and then left onto the Wildcat Peak Trail. This part of the Wildcat Peak Trail features switchbacks that incline up to the peak. It's a nice workout in general, but the views of the Bay is what makes this jaunt super enjoyable. Once you reach the peak, you'll have the most incredible views of the Bay Bridge, Briones Reservoir, San Pablo Bay, and Berkeley city views. There's a little brick barrier wall at the summit where you can sit and admire the views. It's 360 degrees of pure scenic bliss up there. From here, you can go back the same way you came up, or you can connect to another trail. I connected to the Laurel Canyon trail which looped me back around to the Tilden Nature area. There are so many vibrant wildflowers and plants nestled along this trail loop. The trail has a nice mix of covered and exposed paths. You'll pass through beautiful groves and notice the rampant wildlife on the trails. In the late winter and early spring, it's so incredibly green here. Wildcat Peak is such a gorgeous vista point within Tilden Park. I'd highly recommend the Wildcat Creek/Wildcat Peak/ Sylvan/Laurel Canyon trail loops. It's simply marvelous.

It's hard to imagine that the bucolic fire roads in Wildcat Canyon and Tilden Park once connected…read morethe US military with missile radar stations and launch sites during the depths of the Cold War. Or maybe not given the escalating tensions we have with Russia. But back in 1962 during a moment of atypical calm, a stone circle was built by the Berkeley Rotary Club to allow people agitated by the Commies a meditative spot to take in panoramic, 360-degree views of the SF Bay Area to the west and San Pablo Reservoir to the east. Years later it's still a nice respite if it isn't crowded up here as it sometimes does on warm weekends. Most people walk on Nimitz Way, the mostly paved path from Inspiration Point, to get here. However, my favorite route starts on the Wildcat Creek Trail where I take the gradual climb on the Conlon Trail where you get the same bay views you get from the peak. Except maybe for a herd of unimpressed cows in your way. I then descend on the zig-zaggy Wildcat Peak Trail back to Wildcat Creek. Gee, I sound like an actual hiker, don't I? RELATED - Up for a hike? Here's a collection of trails I've walked and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2OrC8nU

Beautiful views of the Bay!…read more The trails are steep, with plenty of gravel and poison oak beside the path. Be careful to stay on the trail and wear pants. There are no bathrooms. They have benches along the paths so you can sit and enjoy the scenery. Parking is easy, with plenty of street parking. Saturday can be a little hectic because the recycling center is open and there is limited parking. My go-to hike for a peaceful, fast hike with beautiful views! Cuatro catorce dos mil viente cinco

Great place with awesome views. Steep if you go west to east, can be muddy. But! Dogs on leash only…read moreand bicycles/ebikes/motorized vehicles NOT allowed. Only open sunrise to sunset.

Love this gym's movie theater vibes. Friend walked past it because it was a good disguise…read more It has everything you could ask for in a bouldering gym, the settings were fun, lots of slab problems, not super crowded but be careful with kids running around on weekends. Parking is a bit of a pain, maybe arrive when they open. Some holds can be slippery but perhaps I went on a rainy day when it was 100% humidity in the air. South Bay sunny bay girl (wink wink) couldn't get used to it. But some people say it's just touchstone in general where they have more slippery holds than Movement.

What a clean climbing gym! That says a lot for a climbing space. I took my first grader here to…read moreboulder. Usually she can't find enough holds that aren't designed for adults and taller people but she found plenty to do both upstairs and downstairs. There is even a wall full of beginner climbs. Yes, there are two floors of bouldering. It was not very busy on a Wednesday evening in the summer. The workers were friendly and helpful (much better attitude than the Ironworks workers).

Good place for all levels of climbers. Very quiet witch is nice highly recommended..‍read more

A local friend introduced me to this spot. You might wonder what all those chalk smudges are all…read morealong the wall ..... this is a popular place to practice rock climbing moves and not have to be too far off the ground. This wall I hear has been popular for at least 30 years! You can traverse up hill or down, it's not like there's a big crowd here like a some parks in Berkeley. You do clime here at you own risk, and accidents do happen, my friend years ago broke her ankle falling off the wall, just 2 feet off the sidewalk. If you're a local climber, you prob know about this place already.