University of California Botanical Garden is located within the campus of University of California Berkeley. Open to the public since 1890, this is no less than an outdoor living museum that boasts over 12,000 species of flora and fauna. The garden can be rented for private events, wedding receptions, twilight tours, summer walks and concerts.
This East Bay woodland canyon offers great panoramic views of the Bay Area. The 205-acre park sits next to UC Berkeley and has trails accessible from the city. There are no facilities such as picnic tables, just wilderness to enjoy. Several trails are available for hiking, from easy, family-friendly walks to challenging, steep climbs, there's something for everyone. The Stonewall-Panoramic Trail is one of the most popular trails here. Whether you're looking for a peaceful escape into nature, a place to explore and hike, or simply a spot to soak in some of the Bay Area's most iconic views, Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve is the place to be.
This park in the Berkeley Hills features nearly every plant and flower species native to California in one skillfully landscaped, 10-acre masterpiece. The garden is divided into sections and subsections with labels that represent each region in California, from Southern California deserts to the Pacific Rainforest. Come in March to see the California poppy and wallflowers, or in September to see California fuchsias, hibiscus, and sunflowers. The Visitor Center offers lectures and slide shows on Saturdays from November through February and hosts a plant sale in the spring.
Occupying a massive 3.64 acres, the Berkeley Rose Garden boasts over 3000 rose bushes and 250 unique rose varieties. This fragrant city park features six luscious terraces, four tennis courts, and a spectacular sunset view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Historians and architecture enthusiasts will appreciate the New Deal roots of the park's Depression-era construction, as well as the charming First Bay Tradition-styled design of the park and the surrounding residential neighborhood. The garden blooms most dramatically in mid-May.
This park provides a charming, secluded nature getaway, mostly utilized by locals in the warmer months. There are two parts of the lake, one smaller area used for swimming, equipped with a lifeguard on duty in the summer, and a larger part that is open for fishing year-round. Situated in Tilden Park, the lake features a sandy beach, grassy knolls, a refreshment stand, a nearby parking lot and picnic tables.
The Berkeley Marina is a section of the Parks Recreation & Waterfront. The Marina covers an area of 52 acres (21.04 hectares) and features 1100 berths for boats. The marina is complete with boat yard, fuel dock and boat launch ramp. The fishing pier located within the marina is a popular summer spot for those who enjoy the sport. Spend a day learning about nature in an engaging manner at the Shorebird Nature Center, or let your kids enjoy a day out in the sun at the Adventure Playground. You can also dine at one of the marina's three restaurants. The marina is especially lively during the Berkeley Bay Festival and the Fourth of July and Fireworks.
Redwood Regional Park is located in the hills of Oakland. It boasts the largest remaining natural strand of coastal redwood in the East Bay. Early mariners used to use these tall redwood trees to help them navigate the San Francisco Bay. Many locals enjoy hiking and biking around the available trails, which offer gorgeous scenery. In addition to the deer, rabbits and squirrels that roam the park, it is also home to rare wildlife species such as the golden eagle and the striped racer snake. The Roberts Regional Recreation Area, a park within the park, features a swimming pool and playgrounds. Throughout the park, you will find access to a well-maintained system of restrooms, water fountains and picnic tables. The Chabot Observatory and Science Center is one of the park's most prominent attractions.
On the north end of Berkeley's fabulous Tilden Regional Park lies this 740-acre (299-hectare) preserve, where adults and children can visit the Environmental Education Center. The EEC is the ecology education headquarters of Tilden Park. Here, visitors can learn about wildlife and nature through a variety of displays, literature, and programs. Amid this haven of enlightenment, an enchanting highlight emerges the Little Farm. This cherished addition transforms Tilden into an idyllic playground, introducing children to the joys of interaction with farm animals in a safe and welcoming setting.
A dairy ranch in the past, this 60 acre (24.28 hectares) park bordering a part of central San Rafael and Sleepy Hollow is a good destination for outdoorsy people. It is a great hiking spot with trails leading into the surrounding hills and ridgeline. A visit here is a great way to spend time with nature.
Located within the expansive bounds of the San Bruno Mountain State Park, this namesake mountain is home to both radio towers as well as many endangered flora and fauna. Among its main inhabitants is the San Bruno elfin butterfly, a rare subspecies endemic to the state. The mountain is also the home of several Franciscan fog zone plants. A number of trails that lead up to the mountain offer incredible vistas of the San Francisco skyline.
Mount Tamalpais East Peak is a popular hiking trail in the Mount Tamalpais State Park. Surrounded by lush trees and pretty flowers and featuring stunning views of the valley, it is always to joy to hike on this quarter mile (one kilometer) trail.
The idea behind building this fort in 1861 was to fend off attacks by the Confederacy. It proved to be a non-issue, though. This place went on to achieve cinema immortality as the spot from which Kim Novak took her plunge into the San Francisco Bay in the Hitchcock classic Vertigo. There are spectacular views of the Marin Headlands from just beneath the soaring south anchorage of the Golden Gate Bridge. Tours are offered and the museum houses a collection of military memorabilia. Take note, it is usually very windy at Fort Point, so dress accordingly.