This is a fun gem to discover if you're in the East Bay. Prices are reasonable, and the merry-go-round has held up well for being 125 years old! There are bathrooms, ample parking, and some food for sale (the ice cream looked especially good). My only complaint is that the merry-go-round goes a little fast for small kids. Take pictures before it starts moving. read more

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Sunday, April 6, 2025: The birthday girl (Jenbert Jr. 2 will be three on April 10) and her big sister attended the Breakfast with the Easter Bunny event. For us, the $100 was well-spent on one adult and two children. The event started with the Easter Bunny greeting every attendee and handing children a basket for the egg hunt. Breakfast included pastries, pancakes, bacon, sausage patties, scrambled eggs, and nearly every non-alcoholic breakfast/brunch drink under the sun. All attendees got unlimited Merry-go-round rides, which continued even after the event ended at 11am and the Merry-go-round opened to the public. Jenbert Jr. 2 loved the Merry-go-round and didn't want to get off-- and since she was unlimited, she didn't have to! The Easter egg hunt was very well-organized, with lots of eggs for even wobbly toddlers to find. The employees were good about making sure that there were lots of eggs for everyone. Jenbert Jr. 1 & 2 are still raving over the goodies that were in their baskets. Finally, there were a bunch of fun Easter-themed inflatables with bunnies, chicks, and even a Scooby-Doo with Bunny ears and a carrot! And let's not forget about the photo-op with the Easter Bunny! I'd bring back JJ1 & JJ2 next year, it was money well-spent and a very well-put-together event. read more

Tilden Regional Park Merry-Go-Round - Easter egg hunt during breakfast with the Easter Bunny, April 6, 2025. - Carousels Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Super cute classic merry go round I'm so glad we came here The Littles had a blast Tickets are $4 Last ride is at 5pm Definitely a must do read more

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Came for the Easter brunch (9-11) on 4/12 one week before Easter. Brunch tables are set up around the merry-go-round and reserved for your party. Brunch selections included hot food (bacon, eggs, sausage patties, pancakes), pastries, fruit (strawberries, grapes, watermelon), hot coffee and big selection of cold drinks. Easter bunny visits each table for photos. The egg hunt started around 10:15 so there's plenty of time to eat and go on unlimited rides. Each kid gets an Easter basket which includes a plush toy and a few eggs to get started. The eggs have small toys, candy, and merry-go-round tickets (these were rare) for the next visit. There's 2 age groups for the Easter egg hunt so the smaller toddlers age 3 and under can go at their own pace. Lots of other fun activities and decorations are set up in the area as well. Price for adult tickets is not exactly worth it since adults are not participating in the egg hunt, but the overall cost is acceptable because the event was well organized and the kids have a lot of fun. read more

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Love this place! Tucked in the hills of Berkeley. Fresh air, forest vibes, and carousel $7 tickets. There is picnic tables, lawn for running around, and cafe with small gift shop. I got cute unicorn hats for $8. Chicken bites, fries, drinks, and ice cream was $30. It's a good 1.5 hours of fun. Nearby is the steam train and petting zoo to make it a day of fun! read more

Tilden Regional Park Merry-Go-Round - Carousels Near Me - Berkeley, California

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After riding the steam train we thought we would check out the merry go round. It is hard to find. It is indoor and connected to a gift shop and snack area where you purchase tickets. Tickets are 4 dollars each. We purchased tickets and a popcorn which was really good. We had our 2 year old granddaughter with us and let her parents tag along;). It wasn't busy at all. The young kids that work here are noticeably not interested in being here or smiling. That old merry go round went fast! I mean really fast! Too fast even. Much too fast for small children and young grandmas expecting normal merry go round speed. We have 3 leftover tickets so we will be back and try again. read more

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My toddler goes wild for this place! The last time we brought her here, she demanded to ride 3 times. It is nice to bring her to a place I used to love as a kid. Thank you for keeping it going. read more

Tilden Regional Park Merry-Go-Round - Carousels Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Such a cute place, always decorated for the holidays, very nice in the winter time!!! Yummy popcorn and cotton candy. They have kept the old school decorations which is a nostalgic touch. read more

Tilden Regional Park Merry-Go-Round - Carousels Near Me - Berkeley, California

It's small but we had a blast here . You can't feed the animals or touch . But you can definitely brush the goats . They also have a small museum next to the farm . A lot of space to let your kids run . decent parking n a small park 5 mins from the farm read more

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It's a great spot and I send all my friends with younger kids there and the little farm and the trains

+ lots of parking +/- need to GPS directly to the merry-go-round, can't just walk here from another part of the park + $4/ride but parents can ride free with kids under 38" that need assistance +/- its VERY FAST towards the end, might be scary for small kids + stamps and markers near the carousel as a fun activity Website says to make reservations but we didn't have any line on the weekday. Definitely check the schedule first before going to make sure they're open. read more

This Merry Go Round is a classic. We took our 3 year old granddaughter twice in the last few weeks. The first time we went the carousel it went very fast - so fast that she was holding on to the pole very tightly. I could tell it was fast just by watching it go by. The second time - this past weekend - it was a little slower so not sure who or how they dictate the speed. Tickets are $4 each or 7 for $22 - available at the gift shop. In addition to the carousel - you can walk around and see the exhibit inside. There's a small screen promoting some Disney classics (ie. Dory, Zootopia, etc.) and there's a coloring/stamp station for kids. Outside the carousel - because it was Easter - they had wooden photo stations so you can take pictures. I'm sure they will update depending on the season. There was a private party going on inside a small section - so I guess you can rent some space which is a great option. My 3 year old granddaughter had a fun time and for me, that's what counts. read more

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It's def cute for a small something to do but not as great as I was hoping for it to be The carousel is fun, pretty, and fast and you def have to ride it or else the trip isn't worth it The cafe was kinda underwhelming I ordered a hot chocolate hoping it would be cute because the menu literally said it comes with sprinkles but I just got a closed plan white cup and when I opening the lid to look inside there was no sprinkles :/ There are a lot of decorations outside which are nice to look at but tbh there wasn't as much to do/see as I thought there'd be read more

I find it incredible how they can put a big merry go round in the middle of nowhere. Not really much else to see though. Plenty of parking. People usually dont stay here too long. Just let your kids go on a few rides and be on your way. Prices as of 1/5/2024 is $4 per ticket or $24 for 7 tickets. They still had their Christmas setup inside. It seemed like they were already starting to take down their Christmas decorations that were outside. Right next to the merry go round is a cafe. I was surprised to see that they sell fentons ice cream. This might be the only place that sells food at Tilden park. Ive seen an area at lake anza that looks like it sells food but it's never been opened when I go there. read more

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I can't believe I'd never been here before - this is such a cute outdoor space to bring kids or have a picnic! The merry go round is $3.50 per ride or $20 for 7 rides. They also have a snack bar featuring hot dogs, popcorn, and Fenton's ice cream. We enjoyed two of these! The hot dog was loaded with sauerkraut, tomato, and onions. $6 and maybe slightly overpriced but worth it since they keep this area so clean. The grassy lawn is inviting on a warm day and they've got clean restrooms. Plenty of nearby parking space and a short drive to hikes - so you can stop by and eat here once you're ready for a post-exercise meal! The carousel has got such a great history too - built in 1911 in New York, it lived in San Diego, Long Beach, and Los Angeles before being brought to Tilden in 1948. I'm glad it's kept in such good shape. Tip: on October 27 they'll be having a buffet style pancake breakfast with unlimited rides! $35 for adults and $25 for kids. read more

Tilden Regional Park Merry-Go-Round - Carousels Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Another fun place to take the kids on a fun day adventure exploring the Tilden park. There are so may awesome places to walk to and I'm so glad this place was recommended to us. We love nature and exploring outside so anytime my son gets to do that it's a guaranteed a day full of fun. read more

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The Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round has been a classic regional destination for kids as long as it's been around. It was originally built in 1911, and moved to various locations before it landed here in the 1940s (lucky us!) The actual carousel is an amazing work of art and old engineering that still works. The fact that it's housed in a building in the middle of a forest (Tilden Regional Park) makes it a magical experience. The Christmas display in December is even more special with all the lights and decorations adorning the building, trees and lawn. They even have little fire table hang out spots that you can reserve for a group to sip cocoa while the kids go on rides or visit Santa. The staff are helpful, answering questions about ice cream flavors, food recommendations or carousel history. They are following covid safety protocols (hand sanitizer before riding and masks indoors). It's a very homey type of operation, with real people who are the caretakers. It's worth a call in advance to be sure they're open if weather is an issue. It can get really windy and cold during storms and possibly require an unexpected closure. A note about other reviews that complain about location, windy roads or difficult navigation- these are helpful things to be aware of but ridiculous to knock off a star. It's like complaining that Tilden Park has too many trees in the way of the hiking trails. read more

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Came here with my toddler and agree with all the other reviews that say the merry go round is fast. Staff was friendly, easy to buy ticket. But I do wish they'd slow down the merry go round. read more

Wonderful historic carousel! Officially considered a historic site because it is as close to the original experience as it can realistically be, with real horse tails and working spinner and rocking seats, unlike the similar Hershell-Spillman carousel in Golden Gate Park. It may be the fastest carousel in the Bay Area, and the breeze from the open doors helps. The food is mediocre but the cookies are cute! Not very busy weekdays. Supposedly the antique band organ will be working in the next month or so, which will make it even more true to its original form! The paint is pretty well maintained, with saddles and other touch-ups done about every 2 years. I rode several horses before I found one with obvious wear on the ears. Almost all animals are jumpers, except for the alternating (non-horse) animals on the outside row. The folks who work on restoring and maintaining it are often working there and are very approachable with questions about its restoration. The cafe is part gift shop, though not much is specific to Tilden, currently just a book, 2 embroidered patches, and Tshirts from what I saw. read more

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"There ain't a horse that can't be rode or a cowboy that can't be throwed". Relax, these bucking bronco's are safe and for the kids, extremely fun! The Tilden Regional Park Merry-Go-Round is a must stop when the grandkids are in town. They have a blast as does all others, young and old. Ticket purchase is easy and the lines are really never long. There is a mixture of horses, animals and some family carts. The ride takes you in circles to the sound of circus style music, up and down and at a pace as to not scare even the most youngest of riders. The look on the kids faces are priceless, happy and with a zest for more. Pretty much everyone has rode on a merry-go-round. There are not many around, yet there is easy access to the Tilden Regional Park Merry-Go-Round for those in the East Bay. It will continue to be a stop when the grandkids visit as well as the park itself, which is pretty darn amazing. Giddy up and 5 stars all-the-way pardner. read more

Tilden Regional Park Merry-Go-Round - Carousels Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Came here for the first time today with about 11 people today. This is a fun little whimsical spot for the young and the young at heart. Located in Tilden regional park, you follow the signs to the merry go round. Warning, roads are curved and bumpy. We took an Uber to get here (who was speeding) and I got hella motion sickness just getting here! However once you get to the merry go round, things get better. You purchase your carousel ticket from their snack shop. There's a deal for 7 rides or you can pay $3.50 individually. The carousel has a variety of stationary and moving characters (ie horse, dog, ostrich, etc.) to sit on. Pros: -merry go round! How fun. -snack bar available with things like cookies, popcorn, shakes and ice cream! -surrounded by greenery and nature -benches and tables are available outside -parking stalls are available in front Cons: -it's difficult to get a Lyft or Uber driver out of the area, or at least that was our issue read more

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It's really a waste of time that there is only one amusement in such a big area. It's not worthy to drive so long in the mountain at all. The Merry-Go-Round is fun. The restaurant is terrible. Beyond meat is the only kind of meat in the burgers. The waffle fries are too salty. The food tastes bad but the price is very high. You don't have any other options up here so they can charge you as much as they want. The bathrooms are closed and there is only a mobile toilet there. And it's extremely dirty and horrible. read more

This is a charming attraction to have nestled in our beautiful Tilden Regional Park redwoods. The Merry-Go-Round has a long history described more in detail in other reviews; it is filled with original detail--calliope music, exotic animals in addition to lovely horses, a few stationary options for wee ones or grandparents who'd like to sit on a swan bench. During Christmas season, in the evening, this is the most magical place to take your kids who still believe in Santa. The carousel is all lit up, trees and decorations are just-right over-the-top, and Santa takes time with each family--all for free (except for the ride itself.) The tickets are truly a bargain. We've had a small birthday party here for one of our kids when he turned 3. It was a pretty easy activity and special place to gather, just using one of the picnic tables. It looks like you can reserve indoor space off-season for parties, too. The snack options here are fine, keeping in mind it's a relatively remote spot. There is an ample parking lot. There isn't much else walking distance to do at this location since it is set apart from the nature trails of the regional park. However, it is a destination on its own, or you can combine with a drive further down to the little farm one way, steam trains the other. This is a highly recommended outing for anyone with a toddler or preschool kid. read more

Tilden Regional Park Merry-Go-Round - Detail from the Merry-Go-Round - Carousels Near Me - Berkeley, California

I have always had fun at Tilden Park! We make sure to bring lettuce and celery for the animals. So take a bag lunch and something to drink and enjoy the whole day. read more

I don't get where the hate is coming for this place! I grew up not far from here, and the Merry-Go-Round was a staple of my childhood. It became almost mythical in my mind because its this random merry-go-round in the hills somewhere. Yet I can still smell it and hear the music when I close my eyes. I recently had the pleasure of bringing my own son to the Merry-Go-Round. It was his first time on one, and it was so much fun watching this experience through his eyes now. It isn't the most up to date ride, and it could use some TLC for sure. That being said, it is this sort of special piece of unchanged history. Its raggedness and lack of modernity is the charm of this place. Add this to your trains, Merry-Go-Round, farm day of activities list. read more

My 3.5-year-old niece loves the Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round. She talks about it a lot. It's a long, windy, car-sickness-inducing drive through the park and up to the merry-go-round, but it's worth it. The merry-go-round is historic, having been built in 1911 and opening at Tilden Park in 1948. The carousel and facility have had a number of renovations and improvements over the years, but the carousel itself still has its original hand-carved animals, vignette paintings, and signage, as well as calliope music, from the first half of the 20th century. Stepping onto the merry-go-round is like taking a step back in time. It's an antique and it looks like it belongs in a movie or TV show. When we visited, ticket prices were $2 each or 7 tickets for $10. Children under 2 ride free. Not only is the merry-go-round a blast, but it has a kitchen that serves very good food too. They serve easy American comfort foods like burgers, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, sandwiches, and fries. Most items are no more than $7 or $8 each for adult-sized portions and $3 or $4 each for kid-sized portions. They also offer drinks like soda, coffee (hot or iced), tea, milk, boxed juices, and hot chocolate. Our family ordered two turkey club sandwiches ($8 each), a corn dog ($3), chicken nuggets and fries ($6), a burger ($7.50), and a Polish sausage ($6). All of the food looked terrific. I took at least one bite out of everything and everything tasted very fresh, of good quality, and delicious. The food at this merry-go-round can beat the food at a lot of full-service restaurants! The turkey sandwiches were made with house-baked turkey breast, hickory-smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and honey mustard aioli on toasted wheat bread. The corn dog was made with chicken from California-based Foster Farms. The nuggets were made with chicken breast. The fries were the skinny, crispy, golden variety, similar to McDonald's. The burger came with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles on a toasted brioche bun. The Polish sausage consisted of a 1/4-pound frank grilled on a toasted bun with relish, onion, tomato (slices), and sauerkraut. Everything was fantastic. Service was good. Aside from the merry-go-round and concessions, there really isn't much else here. Outside, there are tables to eat at and benches to rest on. When we visited, there were blow-up characters on the grass around the premises. To see when the merry-go-round is open, check the park's schedule and fees page here: http://www.ebparks.org/parks/tilden#merry. It wasn't too busy during our visit and there is plenty of free parking on-site. read more

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This is a sweet park scene. All the different venues (merry-go-round, train ride, petting farm) are spread out and so to hit them all one must pop in and out of the car and travel a couple of miles, but it's definitely worth it. Our group really enjoyed the day - especially the merry-go-round which is very speedy in a swirling and spinning make-your-head-spin of way ;) read more

We love Tilden park. This review is strictly for the merry go round. This thing is old, very old, but very well kept. My issue is that it was going wayyyy too fast. It's operated my several teenagers. I told them numerous times to slow it down and they just ignored me. My wife, 2 year old son, and I were freaked out as to how fast it was going. read more

Breakfast with Santa at Tilden Park was a total miss. Due to Covid restrictions the seating was outdoors in the wet and cold. Working heating lamps were a total miss being so faint you couldn't feel anything. Larger groups pushed all the way to the back to make room for smaller tables. Save your money! $35 for kids and $55 dollars for adults omg! When we arrived ar our table the chairs were all soaking wet. No one bothered to dry the tables so we had to ask a volunteer for help. They had a box of towels in the kitchen area where food was to take back to your seats and dry yourself. The food station was set up where you normally purchase merry-go-round tickets/buy food. The had fresh fruit, muffins, cinnamon rolls, pancakes, bacon, sausage, and yogurt. Food was decent, not great but good. They also provided beverages: oj, hot cocoa, apple cider, and coffee. From the start the event seems very disorganized and rushed. Time with Santa was less than 10 minutes and then they were paging the next family. Outside while you were eating or waiting an elf brought you pagers. Thankfully we were number four! The other plus, during this event you had unlimited merry-go-round rides. So we tried to make up for the price of these tickets in rides. Event was 8am - 11:30am we stayed an hour. Lol read more

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We had a great time at the Merry-go-round at Tilden Park. We even got good food, the beyond burger was delicious! The kids loved the ride and Santa was cheerful and sweet! We will be back soon! read more

Tilden Regional Park Merry-Go-Round - Santa Claus - Carousels Near Me - Berkeley, California

Visiting the Tilden Merry Go Round at Christmas time has been a family tradition for us for most of my life. It was built in 1911 in Tonwanda, New York and moved around the West Coast until it was finally moved to its current location in Tilden Park in 1948. It's a wonderful place to go and soak up some Christmas cheer and let the kids take a few rides. This year I noticed at least 1 birthday party happening while we were there so I'm sure they do private events as well. Would be a great place for a holiday party! They have a snack bar where you can buy refreshments like hot chocolate, coffee, burgers and hot dogs and Christmas trees set up around the merry go round with ornaments for sale. Super fun time and a great Christmas tradition. read more

The historic Berkeley Tilden Park carousel is a jewel to visit. Leisurely way to spend a couple of hours with young ones. Tickets purchased in a book make multiple rides convenient. The staff are lovely. The music is festive, carousel well-maintained and colorful. Plenty of parking and bench seating. If you didn't bring snacks or a picnic, the café food is a fine alternative with snacks or meals in kiddie portions too. My children loved it and now my grandboys do, too!! read more

Update: tried the seasonal cookies and fries and they were fast and good! I take back that it looks gross. It's not healthy but it's better than nothing! read more

Tilden Regional Park Merry-Go-Round - Carousels Near Me - Berkeley, California

This is a classic. Can't go to Tilden and not swing by for a ride! It is very easy to miss the entrance. It's not well marked, there's a small brown sign a couple feet before the turn, and when you turn it looks like you're turning into a camping or picnicking site, but if you keep driving up you'll get to the merry-go-round and the bathrooms. They have a little snack bar and places to sit outside. The carousel is inside, it's absolutely lovely. The people who work here are helpful and kid friendly. read more

$2/person. Went way faster than I expected...this was the least relaxing carousel I've been on. I spotted a spinning cup and thought that it would be so much fun, and it was! But it was also quite fast and I was concerned because my fellow cup-sitter expressed concerns about throwing up, and the cup was spinning too fast to get out of it. A little girl on a horse started crying too. I think this carousel may not be suitable for tiny humans. I had fun though, and even encountered a flooofy doggy which looked like a mop. At the ticket-buying area they also sell Fenton's ice cream, which I know some people love. read more

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If you can't get to Disneyland, this is your best bet in the East Bay. This is such a delightful carousel nestled in the redwoods and eucalyptus in Tilden Park. The tickets are $2 and that's for a decent-lasting spin. The concession stand is fun and has tasty treats and there are clean bathrooms nearby. The grassy hillside is perfect for picnics while listening to the carousel music, which I happen to enjoy. Cheap, wholesome good fun! read more

2 stars because we enjoyed looking at the animals amd getting on the Merry Go Round and the service the young employees provided was great! BUT thr BOSS decided it was ok to talk bad to her employees infront of all the customers and that just sucks. You dont treat your emoyees like S*** doesnt matter if their check comes out of your pocket! Your lucky if she goes back to work cus no money is worth being treated like that. WE WONT BE COMING BACK! read more

Kid friendly and a gem inside the Tilden Park. Good to have this and highly recommended for family.

The merry-go-round at Tilden Region Park is the place where great childhood memories are born. It was built by the Herschel-Spillman Co. of Tonawanda, New York in 191. Before arriving at Tilden in 1948, it was used at amusement parks in San Bernardino, Ocean Beach, and Los Angeles (see, Wikipedia). Here is a list of magical things about this merry-go-round. First, it resides in a hidden, obscure area just off from the narrow winding road that makes its way through Tilden Park. If the merry-go-round was located, for example, next to a shopping mall in Oakland, the magical qualities of this merry-go-round would be lost or neutralized. Second, the view from the eastern edge of area where the merry-go-round is located is of a forested canyon (with no telephone lines or houses). Third, at Christmas, the interior of the building and the grounds surrounding the merry-go-round are exuberantly decorated with lights, statues, and paraphernalia relating to Santa Claus. Fourth, this merry-go-round is a great place to meet old friends by chance (unexpectedly). For example, once I ran into Wendy F. and her husband Mark, two people from graduate school that I had not seen in 20 years. On another occasion, I ran into Ralph N. and his wife, a friend from Pacific High School in San Leandro, who I had not seen in about 20 years. Okay, how much more special can you get than that? Now, regarding great childhood memories, my first great childhood memory was from circa 1954, which was of the swan boats in a public park in Boston, MA. One can reasonably assume, that countless thousands of East Bay children have fond memories residing in their minds, generated by their first visits to Tilden Park merry-go-round. My photographs, which are attached, show the pig ride and horse ride from this merry-go-round, together with a passenger. read more

Tilden Regional Park Merry-Go-Round - Horse ride on Tilden Park merry-go-round. "Yee-hawwwww!" - Carousels Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Beautifully restored carousel with assorted animals. Good for adults and kids that love to ride. Tilden is a beat park with great views, petting farm, train and so much more. Go but don't limit your visit to the Merry-Go-Round! read more