tilden regional park

Took off from the visitor center and hiked for a couple of hours into the Wilcat trail area through the eucalyptus trees and pines with plenty of altitude changes and path style changes from wide forest tracks to tight steep single file paths. Returned via the lake with plenty of ducks and turtles. Amazing that once you leave the car park area and the animal farm you lose all the people and do your hike in solitude and you are cognizant of returning to civilization once the path returns to car park level and voices are once again heard all around you. How easy it is to get away from the crowds and enjoy the natural parklands.

From the Little Farm, Inspiration Point, Jewel Lake or the many many hiking trails, Tilden is a great place to get out and stretch your legs. Check the East Bay Regional Parks website for more information.

Tilden Regional Park is on the top of my list for a retreat into open space. It is easily accessible by bike or car. There are many trails and a couple of roads going through the entire park. One section of road is closed off to cars for part of the year and makes for a great place to walk dogs. There are family destinations like the little train or the merry-go-round. Lake Anza provides sunbathing and a spot to take a cool dip on a hot day. Mostly, I have my favorite trails for hiking and walking the dogs. I can park my car, walk onto a trail, and feel safe with the green hillsides surrounding me. There are many beautiful sunset locations and world class views. Thank you Charles Tilden!

If you have any interest in or like model steam trains, go to this park on a Sunday. The enthusiasts who run their railroads on Sundays make the experience truly joyful. During summer, the lake is also awesome. As are the distractions for younger kids (pony rides,etc.) Overall, a great place to enjoy a day with family and friends.

Traveling in the Bay area and need a place for kids to blow off some steam. This park in nestled in a canyon above the Berkeley hills. Suddenly on the drive up you feel like you are in a remote park. They have some nice activities and an easy hike for kids. By far the best is feeding the animals at the little farm. Pick up a bundle of celery and drive into the hills for a lovely afternoon feeding cows and goats.

Beautiful treasure just above the UC Berkeley campus. I wish I had had more time to explore the area. We saw deer and other wildlife. The place has spectacular sunsets, too.

Tilden Park is a gem in the East Bay. There are miles of hiking trails with views of the bay. Most trails are great for mountain bikes as well. There are a number of trails where dogs can be off leash and all the dogs and dog owners I've encountered are happy and friendly. My favorite trail begins at the Lone Oak picnic area. It is a 3 mile loop through eucalyptus groves, thistles that bloom in the spring and a gorgeous oak lined creek. Don't miss the tree with the miniature post office inside!If you prefer a paved walk, try Inspiration Point. Bikes and scooters ok, dogs must be on leash. Nice views from both sides of the trail.There are many attractions for families and young children. The little farm is wonderful. Bring lettuce for the goats! The walk to Jewel Lake is peaceful and another nice loop. You often find turtles and herons around the shores. Kids also love the beautiful restored carousel and the steam trains. There is a botanical garden and an 18 hole golf course. Tilden is a well used, lovely place to spend a day or grab a few minutes of solitude. There are always spots away from people as well as picnic areas that usually need to be reserved.Lake Anza is another good loop hike and a good place to swim in summer if it is warm enough. lake is cold!Don't smoke, don't litter and enjoy the gem of Berkeley!

Tilden Park is an incredible resource in the East Bay of San Francisco. It's as grand and glorious a park as you'll find anywhere, and rivals Olmsted's creations in the majesty of its landscapes, and how it fits into the urban surroundings. With lakes, the Wildcat Creek drainage, and redwood groves, the park also includes a substantial lake (Lake Anza), steam trains, a carousel, a "little farm" specially aimed at kids, and a botanical garden that emphasizes California native plants, and presents some stunning water features. With kids or without, if you are in the East Bay of San Francisco for any length of time do yourself a favor, and come explore the beauty of Tilden Park.

I have used Tilden park for many years. First as a place to take my (4-10) year old daughter on week-ends and some week days after school. The steam trainsSmall trains driven by train loving adults. The trains wind through a small gauge railway system, through forested areas, through small tunnels, up and down rolling hills. A ride lasts about 20 minutes. Lots of steam coming out of the boiler and the driver toots the horn often. The little kids love it.The little farmA combination living museum and petting zoo. Donkeys, chickens, cows, horses, goats, pigs. Kids can pet some of the animals.Nature centerPart of the little farm. Lots of information about the birds, insects, and animals that live in Tilden park. Stuffed versions of fox, weasel, mountain lion.Picnic AreasLots of picnic areas all over Tilden Park. Most areas have a large wood table, wood benches, an outdoor grill for cooking, a drinking fountain, and some toilet facilities. All areas have parking facilities, but they vary as to how far you have to walk to go from car to picnic table. If you are going with a large group be sure to reserve a specific area.Hiking TrailsLots of dirt hiking/jogging trails throughout the park. There is a nice asphalt hiking trail (the Nimitz) at inspiration point. The trail goes out 3.5 miles and the last half mile is steep uphill and ends at an old Nike missile site. Many views of the Golden Gate bridge along the way. Beautiful rolling hills, lots of redwood and eucalyptus, and the smells after a rain are fantastic.I have gone hiking and running by myself, my wife and I have taken our dogs and daughter hiking on the dirt trails, we have organized group picnics for my wife's birthday parties. My daughter and I have ridden the steam trains, rode on the merry-go-round, gone to the little farm numerous times. Most of Tilden is free. The steam trains and the merry-go-round cost money.It is a great place. Everything is beautiful and you will love it. I

Tilden is part of a chain of public parks that run along to hills behind Berkeley and Oakland. All have wonderful hiking trails and some of them have views of the bay. What Tilden has is facilities, a fresh water lake for swimming, small train, carousel and so forth. There are several roads that enter the park but you need to use a map to find them or GPS as they are just regular city streets which don't look special, thus the hidden aspect.

One of the most beautiful places to have a wedding. Outside vendue perfect and indoors is again..perfect!

Met a fellow bed&breakfast guest who would drive up to Tilden to go for a run, and was kind enough to take me with him. It was fantastic to run down the 4mile trail with views on both sides, green hills, lakes below, the smell or redwood and eucalyptus, and the peace and quiet… Absolutely loved it!

If you are in the East Bay and want a break from the populated areas and have a couple hours, consider a hike in Tilden. Easiest access is by car but buses (AC Transit) do run up along Grizzly Peak. If you hike the skyline trail, on a clear day you can see the entire Bay Area and beyond. Well worth it if you can't get to Marin and hike Mt. Tam. As with any remote area, don't leave valuables in sight.

I first went to Tilden Park several years ago for a wedding, and thought it was beautiful. Visiting again in December let me explore a lot of areas I didn't see before. It's huge, so there's a lot to see. We walked around, saw lots of runners and bikers, solo couples and families alike. If you have some free time and want get out and walk around, this is definitely a great place to go to.

Such an adorable experience. We went on the steam train, went to the carousel rode that and loved it! The kids absolutely love the steam train ride.