This area is where the little railroad in located as well as a great merry-go-round and hiking trails and picnic areas. It is located in the hills above Berkeley and the views are great of both the SF Bay and east to the Contra Costa hills and Mt. Diablo.
We have hiked a couple trails with different friends and really like this space. Close to Berkeley & Emeryville yet you feel like miles away
I grew up riding my bike up the hills all the way to Tilden Park. I know, I was a kid who didn't know any better than to ride up steep hills (walked the bike a lot). The park was will with adventure and grassy areas for picnics, and watching people. Then, the great fun of riding the bike down the hills... all the way to Berkeley, with a great view of the Golden Gate most of the way..
AS other reviewers have pointed out this place is more Berkeley than Oakland. That said it's stsll worth checking out if you are in the Oakland area. This large area includes Lake Anza, a great swimming spot surrounded by forest on all sides. There are also miles and miles of trails for hiking, enough to accomodate all sorts of people and a varied terrain that includes creeks, grassy hillsides, and dense forests. The views of the SF Bay and the City are spectacular from many different vantage points...you can get to these by hiking but many others by driving if you are not feeling like putting the effort in to slog up the hills.
good hiking, nice nature center. good picnic area with lots of places to play Frisbee, soccer and other exercises.
Went there with daughter and her family and granddaughter. All enjoyed the miniature train ride. A nice place to relax for an hour or so.
Great hikes but you can also drive to amazing views if someone in the party is not physically able to hike. Some of the park is dog friendly. We love Lake Anza. it has a small beach for family swimming and you can take your dog to the side and let them swim too (it is away from the beach).Kids will love the steam trains and the merry-go-round. There is also a gold course up there, though I don't golf. Many people get married in the Brazilian Room there, which is lovely. There is also a botanical garden. The park is a treasure.
I have been hiking and cycling here for decades and now that I don't live in Berkeley anymore but only come once a year on a holiday with my husband and kids, I always make sure we have time for several trips to Tilden - the trails from Inspiration Point are our favourite departure points for hikes up to Wild Cat Peak (for glorious views of the Bay, Alcatraz, Mt Tam and the city, and, if you're lucky and it's not too foggy, the Golden Gate Bridge), and for bike rides down into the valley and back up again. A wonderful afternoon's or morning's exercise! (Just beware the 'baby brigade' on sunny weekends.) With the children, we tend to go to the Farm and nearby playground where they love to climb and swing and slide for an hour or so.
We stayed at a vacation place nearby and didn't realize this gem was so close! There are so many areas of the park that we ran out of time to see it all. We did visit the Botanical Gardens which was a nice stroll. My young kids actually enjoyed themselves. There is a parking lot next to it, equipped with washrooms. We also went to Lake Anza two times. You have to pay during the day but it was a small sum. Kids loved the beach which had nice sand and a big area for kids to play. Also on our do-do list was the mini steam train and a merry-go-round but not enough time. The park is extensive trails - for hikers and cyclists.
We loved spending two hours at Tilden in between Berkeley appointments. The acreage is divided into several areas that mimic the botany of California. We especially enjoyed following the creek through the deeply wooded areas. There are plenty of trails to follow, leading to interesting trees, shrubs and flowers. I can see why this is such a popular attraction!