Flynn and I spent the day exploring Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park, and it couldn't…read morehave been a more perfect day. The weather was cool, comfortable, and ideal for hiking.
One of the things I love most about this park is that it's only about a 15-20 minute drive from downtown Oakland, yet once you're surrounded by the towering coast redwoods, it feels like you've escaped deep into the mountains. It's hard to believe you're still in the middle of the East Bay. The park is home to one of the largest remaining natural coast redwood forests in the East Bay, with many trees reaching around 150 feet tall. The area was heavily logged during the 1800s before being preserved and allowed to recover. In 2019, the park was renamed in honor of Dr. Aurelia Henry Reinhardt, former president of Mills College and one of the original East Bay Regional Park District board members.
Parking is easy with several lots throughout the park. The regular parking fee is $5 per vehicle on staffed weekends and holidays, but during this America 250 celebration weekend, parking was free.
With nearly 40 miles of interconnected trails, there's something for everyone--from easy family-friendly walks to longer, more challenging hikes. You could visit multiple times and still discover new trails, such as the French Trail, East Ridge Trail, and West Ridge Trail. Whether you're a beginner, trail runner, or experienced hiker, there's something for everyone.
Families will enjoy the picnic areas, BBQ grills, playground with swings, open grassy areas, and plenty of tables and benches to relax. There are also water fountains for both people and our paw friends, which Flynn definitely appreciated.
I was pleasantly surprised by how clean the restrooms were. They are individual restrooms with flushing toilets, and there are sinks with running water outside for washing up.
The park is also popular for mountain biking, horseback riding, birdwatching, photography, and of course hiking. Dogs are welcome on many trails, on leash, making it one of my favorite places to spend time with Flynn.
If you're hoping to camp overnight, the park offers primitive group camping by reservation only at designated hike-in campsites. There are no showers and I'd recommend bringing a portable filtered water system like Sawyer. Reservations are required in advance through the East Bay Regional Park District, and fees vary depending on the group campsite.
If you're visiting the Bay Area or even if you've lived here for years and haven't explored this hidden gem, I highly recommend adding Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park to your list. Bring comfortable hiking shoes, plenty of water, and your camera--you'll leave wondering how such an incredible redwood forest has been hiding so close to Oakland. Flynn gives it two paws up!
A friendly reminder to stay on the designated trails and be aware of your surroundings. Like many natural parks in the Bay Area, ticks, poison oak, and coyotes are present. We stayed on the trail, had no issues, and enjoyed a wonderful hike. After your visit, it's always a good idea to check yourself and your dog for ticks
Cheers!