What a nice park; filled with greenery and trails galore. Park near the ranger station. Be sure to walk over to the nursery garden area too. The Sunset trail is a winner; get a brochure to view your route. Enjoy. read more

Beautiful park in Oakland. Lots of nice trails and there are dedicated off leash dog areas and dog park. Plenty of parking is available as well. There is a playground for children and steps for those that want to use stairs for their exercise routine. read more

Joaquin Miller Park - Parks Near Me - Oakland, California

Toddler + little kid review - Plenty street parking - No restroom - Two small play structures on rubber mat flooring, swings and benches. We bring a blanket and picnic under the oak trees. - Cascade stairs lead up to a water fountain, room to run around the fountain. Water is not clean enough for kids to place a hand and play in. - Upper area has mature oak trees, perfect for little kids to climb and a field to run through. We found large sticks and whacked pine cones, girls collected acorns and made "bowls" for squirrels, there is room for children to be creative. - Great place for kids to run free, with supervision. Occasionally we see couples getting "friendly" with each other but park is large enough to relocate away from it. - Bring a hat and water bottle, can get sunny. read more

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Joaquin Miller Park is beautiful with a ton to offer in the Oakland hills! Joaquin Miller has everything from an amphitheater, dog parks, hiking trails, to a pump track. This park has something for quite literally everyone. They are dog-friendly with designated off-leash dog park areas. There are a ton of different hiking trails for all activity levels. Many of the foot paths are paved and perfect for a stroll with an amazing view of the entire bay. I would also like to highlight the pump track! This is a well-maintained and super cool area of Joaquin Miller Park where bikers of all skill levels can take on dirt mounds and obstacles! My friends and I enjoy biking here in the evening and catching some breath taking views! Also, if you're lucky, you can catch the friendly goats plowing down the grass (who definitely love head scratches! This is a must-visit in the bay! read more

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driving access, cost, parking, amenities, shade, trail/mileage/time, difficulty, crowded, route, cell service We did the route below around 1pm on a Sunday in August. https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/sequoia-bayview-and-big-trees-loop Overall kid-friendly and nice, but there were tons of dirt bikers, which meant we had to get out of the way every couple minutes. I would not do this route again. COST None. PARKING No dedicated lot at the Sequoia Bayview Trail Trailhead. Plenty of spots on the shoulder of the road. AMENITIES No bathrooms or water at the trailhead or on the trail. SHADE The trail is basically all shaded. TRAIL DETAILS We spent about 1 hr 30 min hiking 2 miles with a 4 and a 6 year old. Although there was elevation change, it was not too difficult for the group. CROWDEDNESS Like mentioned above there were too many dirt bikers. The trail was medium crowded with hikers as well. KID-FRIENDLY A resounding yes! Near the Redwood Glen Trailhead, we found a fairly solid shelter made from branches (kid-sized) that our kids absolutely adored. Right by the road there was also a very very large branch that ran parallel to the ground, just a few feet off the ground, and I swear 10 kids could sit on it and it would barely budge. CELL SERVICE I had T-Mobile reception throughout the hike. read more

Joaquin Miller Park - Trail map. August 2024 - Parks Near Me - Oakland, California

Heads up to dog people - there have been some huge coyotes lately. Used to see small ones sauntering around but last week saw a huge healthy one, I thought it was a medium-large dog at first. Dogs go missing in this area somewhat often. There are also deer every now and then along with rabbits, if you have a prey drive oriented dog. Please keep your pup close and wait until you're further into the park to let them off leash, after you take a look around and only if they have good recall. This is not a good place for dogs to be off leash if they don't have solid recall. Be extra careful around sunset. If your dog isn't listening well or seems a little squirrelly, just leash them back up. Beautiful trails and absolutely magical in the fog and rain. read more

Came here today to explore the 3mile easy hike at Sequoia Bayview Trailhead Trail with our 5 year Olds! Fun easy hike for the kiddos. It lasted 3.5 hrs and they did great :) It was fairly cold and shaded. And lots of bikers throughout so tad uncomfortable as trail is narrow. Lovely experience with the kids and they enjoyed seeing the trees, fern and few flowers! Parking was fairly was on the road! read more

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We were going to be in the Oakland area and wanted to find a new place to hike. Of course I check Yelp, and found Joaquin Miller Park. However, I didn't do my homework and thought this would be a nice, easygoing hike. The caution tape across the entrance to the Palos Colorados trail should have been a hint lol. Because of the 2023 rains, this trail is wet and slippery, with fallen trees providing lots of obstacles. However, the rains also provided some spectacular creeks and waterfalls that makes this place a must-visit. P A L O S C O L O R A D O S T R A I L There are some areas where the trail is washed out by the creek, but someone put down a little plank to get across. There are stairs, bridges, beautiful redwoods, wildflowers, and amazing little waterfalls. The trail is narrow, with a steep cliff to one side. Be ready to duck or climb over fallen trees. Parts of the trail are quite slippery after rain. I wish I had brought my hiking poles for these tricky areas. But these obstacles also make for a fun adventure, and you can't beat the views. P A R K I N G We didn't set out for any trail in particular. We just plugged in Joaquin Miller Park in googlemaps and ended up at the entrance to the Palos Colorados trail. The entrance is by a residential area with no parking lot. Come early for street parking. This is a great find, and I'll definitely be returning. Next time I'll be a little more prepared for what 2023 has brought to this trail. read more

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Joaquin Miller is a great place for exercise, picnics, hikes, there's a dog park, the Westminster theater. When I lived in Oakland this was my go to Saturday morning routine to run the stairs and alternate with hikes. I would also bring my son to catch Tad poles. The view is still absolutely amazing and the waterfall was breathtaking. I'm sad the waterfall has not been running since the drought but it's still enjoyable. Off the waterfall was still running of give it five stars. Nothing like nature therapy. Let's rebuild our relationship Joaquin Miller!! read more

Joaquin Miller Park - The view coming down the stairs - Parks Near Me - Oakland, California

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Rich history and beautiful views! Very walkable path ways and peaceful environment. Easy parking is a huge plus.

First time hiking here. Thanks to our friends for taking us to this nice trail that was very dog friendly and greenery. Arrived around 9:30 am and found parking on the side of the street. We started our hike on the sunset trail then hiked sequoia bay view trail, Cinderella trail, sinawik trail and looped back onto sunset trail. It was about 3.2 miles and we hiked the loop in less than 2 hours. It was a nice hike with a lot of redwood trees, plants everywhere and it was very shaded with the sunlight beaming through the trees. We also saw a beautiful red mushroom that reminded us of super Mario. There were a lot of dogs hiking and they were all friendly. Overall, it was a beautiful hike and I would love to come back to hike other trails. read more

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Review is for the Woodminster Cascade and Amphitheater area of the park. Constructed in the 1930s as part of FDR's New Deal when the US reinvested close to 50% of the GDP back into the country. It's current state of neglect and decay a strong reflection of wrongly prioritized tax dollars. The "cascade" is now just stairs people run up and down to exercise on without any of the once amazing waterworks, it was designed by the same designer who did the Cleveland Cascades at Lake Merrit. Sadly, its been years since the city has had funding to turn the water on at both cascades and only during heavy rains do you get a hint at what the intent once was. Under the amphitheater is underground tunnels that were used for police training and was the evacuation site for city officials during the cold war. Who knows what horrors and canned water and biscuits are now rotting underneath. It's a bit overgrown but fun to imagine what all the odd brickworks structures once were. There is a newer small playground for kids near the bottom and there are still some original flowers that are blooming. read more

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Wow...this park is splendid. I became aware of this park via the 'Bay Area Hiking Group' who recommended this place in the Oakland Hills by Skyline Blvd. It's nestled in a 500 acre area of land overlooking Oakland, Alameda and San Francisco across the bay. Heck, you can see further down south along the East Bay and the Peninsula. Named after previous land-owner, poet and writer Joaquin Miller, who purchased the land in the 1880's and built his house, planted hundreds of trees and built monuments to his, heroes. The park is full of Coast Redwoods, Coast Live Oaks and Pine Trees with lush greeneries, trickling creeks and lush meadows. Floras include Pinkflower Currant, Evergreen Huckleberry, Gooseberry and Creambush. There's several trails for experts to beginners, kids and adults, dogs and owners and everyone else in between. There's even a dog park in the middle of the park in a fenced-in area where you can set them off-leash. There's several parking lots (including street parking), a ranger station, restrooms, picnic tables, biking trails, a horse arena, children's playground, amphitheater and historical footnotes. Hiking in the East Bay is a lot warmer compared to The City and along the coast, but what it lacks in cooler weather offsets that by the shades that the trees provide underneath its numerous trails. You can personalize your hiking experience whether you want a grueling trek or just simply stroll to enjoy nature and the scenery. I suggest taking the Sunset Trail for the latter as this is the easiest trail with few elevation changes, but provides you a sweeping view of the bay below. There's also a Lookout Point that provides an unobstructed view of Oakland, Alameda and across the bay. There's several benches to watch the sunset if all you want to do is gaze with your significant other or even your doggies and fur babies. This truly is an wonderful park with so many things to offer and we will surely return and try to explore every trail, bend and hidden treasures we have yet to discover. Gives new meaning to the term, "Miller Time." read more

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This is a great Oakland Park!! When I go, I usually park on Joaquin Miller Road on the street. Lots of people come here to exercise on the all the stairs here, and if you walk all the way to the top, you'll get some great Bay Area views!! What surprised me though, was all the trails located up behind the main park area. Lots of dirt trails and some paved trails also. Some of the dirt trails get thin in some places, but if you're looking for an interesting hike, these are the way to go. All the Redwoods here make this a super shady hike, make sure you wear some shoes you don't mind getting dirty, and enjoy the nature in the Oakland hills!!! read more

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Great place to get out in nature... In Oakland! Is it a secret place?! Not really. My daughter's sent me a link to the reviews and after I was done laughing, It was a hell yeah let's go! After one review said she's lived in the Bay Area for 10 years and it was her first time there and she is trying to explore the Bay... Should I be embarrassed?? I am Bay Area born & raised And it's my first time! It was worth the wait! It is a quiet and peaceful place. The redwood trees are tall and stunning. The trails are well marked & maintained. Read the signs...poison oak is abundant, remember the little diddy about leaves of 3 let it be... This is a very popular HUGE park so it can get crowded. Lots of free parking. Picnic tables all over. Very family and dog friendly. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. There is a funeral pyre that the poet Joaquin Miller had built but never used. I had to tell my kids what it was... Me singing Light my Fire in the forest was hilarious... until I had to tell them who the Doors were... Lol... Haven't gone hiking in nature for awhile due to Corona virus and of course all the wildfires so what a great way to get out. We still wore our masks as did everyone else. It really is big enough not to be around very many other people, you see some but it wasn't bad at all. read more

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500 acre park that has something for everyone. A group of volunteers have been doing a lot of work clearing trees and cleaning the park since the city of Oakland has no interest in maintaining the park. There's been a lot of car break ins so be careful of leaving valuables in your car. Hiking is great and it's popular for biking. Nice children's area on Joaquin Miller Blvd. read more

Joaquin Miller Park - Parks Near Me - Oakland, California

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Finally made it to the Joaquin Miller Park. I've been wanting to check this place out for a while but have always been nervous to go after reading about all the vehicles that were broken into. However, my dog woke me up early so I said what the heck- let's try this place out. First thing to note- I tried trusting a blog that said to park at Joaquin Miller Court to avoid the car break-ins. I'm not sure if google maps took me somewhere else, but it is definitely waaaayyy to far IMO to park there. Eventually I got back in my vehicle and drove towards the Chabot Space and Science Center which got me closer to where I wanted to be. Around 9am I could see a bunch of cars parked along the right side of the road and pulled in. Yes, there was a bunch of glass on the ground probably from previous break-ins. But there were also picnic tables and a bunch of mountain bikers around so I felt okay. There was even a map of the park and the different trails you could take. I ended up taking the big trees trail which had a bunch of beautiful trees all around. Nice and shaded. Pros: -free! -trails are shaded by beautiful trees Cons: -parking is a bit sketchy -although most mountain bikers were friendly, there was a lot of dirt that flew up into the air when they rode by read more

Joaquin Miller Park - Parks Near Me - Oakland, California

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I'd recommend NOT TO BRING YOUR CAR. If you park in the vicinities most likely you'll get your window busted... even if you don't leave anything inside your car (like in my case), they'll still break in and go through your console, globe compartment, etc. Better to Uber or Lyft there.I've heard many other busted window stories about this particular area and this particular trail... but overall crime is just out of control. So frustrating to have to waste my time and $ on things like these. The park and the hiking trails are very nice but it is so upsetting that crime is so frequent around here, they know that people are likely hiking and will be away from the car for a while... Be safe, look where you parking, leave NOTHING inside! or.. look for alternatives. read more

Joaquin Miller Park - Specifically happened right outside of the Sequoia Bayview Trail. BEWARE - Parks Near Me - Oakland, California

Paradise in the Oakland Hills! I've always heard that this park was gorgeous, but now I can finally confirm that it's true. In this time of shelter in place, Joaquin Miller Park is the perfect place to get out and catch some fresh air. The trails will be a lot more crowded now since this is really the only activity that we can do, but as long as you keep your distance and try to visit during the week or off peak hours, you'll be fine. Driving up, the park appears to be quite small. But once you hit the trails, you'll be amazed at how much ground that this park covers. Joaquin Miller is located in the Oakland Hills and connects to Redwood Regional Park (and a few other parks as well). The trails range from easy to moderately difficult and capture some of the best views of the Bay Area. I started on the Bishop's Walk trail which lead me straight to the Lookout Point. This lookout point is insanely stunning! On a clear day, you see San Francisco and the beautiful Bay Bridge. Most of the trails are shaded by tall Redwood trees. The air is fresh and if you come during the winter or spring, expect it to be phenomenally green. There are so many wonderful trails. You can hike deep into the forest and get lost in the beauty of the woods, or you can keep it short and sweet by staying on the main paved trails while soaking up a little bit of sun. I veered off into the forest and hiked through a plethora of different trails that features a mix of inclines and terrains. What I really love about hiking here is all of the exposure to different plants that I've found. The trails are surrounded by ferns, beautiful Redwoods and Eucalyptus trees, lots of different flowers, and tons of different plant species. I wish I was more versed on the types of different plants because it would be so fun to identify them here. There's also a few historical markers within the park like the Pyramid to Moses, the Browning Monument, and Joaquin Miller's Abbey. It's really an awesome place to explore. One thing to look out for are bikers. They seem to speed down the trails with almost no regard to pedestrians on the trail. Luckily I didn't run into a lot of them, but I wish that they would heed to the speed limit. I hiked a few non-biker trails which helped with that. The parking lots for this park are quite small and they fill up quickly. Luckily there's tons of street parking, but even that has begun to fill up since the shelter in place order has taken effect. My best suggestion would be to try to visit the park earlier in the week. The weekends are swamped and the weekdays tend to be more peaceful. I'm so grateful to have beautiful parks like Joaquin Miller in the Bay Area. With gorgeous parks like this, we really don't need to travel anywhere. We have everything that we need right here and it's wonderful. read more

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We've been hiking more since the pandemic started as it is socially-distanced and it's just refreshing to be with nature after full days of working from home. Joaquin Miller Park offers lots of moderate trails. It might be highly trafficked during the weekend but if you go early, you are good. We like this one as the whole park is pretty covered, trails are marked and views are amazing. Pros: - Free / no admission - Trails are shaded - Free parking (although just street parking) read more

Joaquin Miller Park - Parks Near Me - Oakland, California

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Great park for dogs! The hike up on Bishop walk to the trials is amazing, and it is not crazy busy during the morning. There are multiple trails to go on, and it seems quick bike friendly. There are super cute creeks around, and it is relatively well-paved and taken care of. Also very beginner friendly hike with some amazing views. While the trails say dogs must be kept on leash, some calmer dogs were off leash. I also heard that the dog park is also pretty great, but I have not tried it myself. If your dog is reactive, I would not recommend but otherwise great! read more

Joaquin Miller Park - Dog walking on trail - Parks Near Me - Oakland, California

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I've lived here 30 years. I've done an almost daily run all that time. In 2023 - 2024 the Park started having weekend events. Mostly in the summer. The problem is...the 'event' commanders the parking lot. $10.00 to park. They turn us neighborhood people away or want to charge us to park. I am NOT going to pay $10 to park for my daily run. Neither do I like parking elsewhere, yet close, for my run. For us neighborhood people...runners, dog walkers, there's a dog park now, we need a pass, or passcard, so we can come...park...run, or dog walk, and then leave. It's an annoying hassle to deal with the parking lot issue during events for us neighborhood residents. Please consider doing something positive for us neighborhood people so the summer months for us stops being annoying. read more

So Joaquin Miller was this long in the tooth, eccentric poet from the mid 1800s to the early 1900s. He bought land out here in the Oakland hills, built a house, along with random monuments throughout in tribute to who he admired, like Moses and John C. Fremont. He also planted tons of trees and plants, which to this day, is the legacy to which this man, still gifts us. Seems like throwing distance from Redwood Regional, so the terrain is super similar. Quite shady, very hilly which makes for awesome hikes. But it seems this place is more densely forested. It has awesome redwood trees and ferns just like the neighboring park, but this has more of other plants and trees. The smell from spot to spot can change often, depending on what is thriving there. And all deliciously intoxicating. The trails here weave like a maze though. For first timers, it is not easy. You'll need some app to help you navigate. I use an app, and my first time I had to rely on it A LOT. So much so, that it was a little annoying cuz I kept having to look at my phone instead of the beautiful surroundings. Many of the trails also are super popular amongst mountain bikers as well. Most bikers are courteous and will share a trail safely. But you won't be able to put on your ear buds cuz now you'll have to be on your toes for when they roll around. The trails also get eroded/chewed up due to these bikes carving their marks. Some trails look more like dirt bike trails than hiking trails. This park is also more crowded than Redwood Regional. During busy times, you'll never escape human contact. On weekdays, it is possible to be on your own for long stretches. Which makes it a no brainer for me. read more

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This place is a nice spot to relax in nature in this bustling city of Oakland. Its located in the Oakland hills and when you get deep inside the trails you will find serenity, peace and quiet. There are bikers though which sometimes go too fast for my liking so I like to do the trails where bikes are not allowed. I would also wear bright colors too so bikers can see you to stop. There are also a wide variety of things to do for all age groups! There is a play structure, fountain, lots of steps, concrete trail for people who dont want dirt trails, shady trails, sun trails, dog park, wedding spot, picnic spots, flat trails, uphill trails. There is a map by the main yellow gated entrance above the meadow for new comers to see! I hope you enjoy! read more

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I love taking herbal here,he runs so fast up and down these stairs! Very picturesque and peaceful place. read more

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Best views!! Nice chill spot to ride your bike, stroll around, or workout! In our case, park the car and eat our tacos to this nice view! It was super chill when we went there. They had alot of picnic tables and may be a good spot to throw a party at because of the nice open fields, BBQ grills, a bathroom, plenty of parking, and did I mention the views? Cool spot, might be the new go-to for me to park and eat my tacos. =P read more

Joaquin Miller Park - Views - Parks Near Me - Oakland, California

You need to do some research to figure out what trails you want to do, and where you can find parking that's close by to those trails. We went on a Sunday and it was really hard to find parking. I would suggest going on a weekday instead. Once you're on the trails, it's very peaceful and chill. But just make sure you have your phone to check the map to figure out where you're headed. Some times it could be confusing because some of the trails intersect and you need to make sure you are staying on the trail you want to be in. There was a few ppl when we went, that we're trying to find their way around too, which was funny because we were all all going through it with the heat. Make sure to bring lots of water, put on lots of sunscreen, and bug spray. read more

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I'd highly recommend visiting this park and embarking on one of the trails whether or not you're from the area. I came from the South Bay and the drive was well worth it. Today was an uncharacteristically hot and clear day, which made the hike all the more beautiful. Information about parking: if you use the Maps directions or get the directions straight from yelp, it brings you to the side of the park that is closest to the stairs. This is separate from the trail area. There is plenty of parking along the street. If you want to do one of the trails, it's best to park farther uphill on the street from where the stairs are. It's a very well kept up park and there's hardly any trash on the trails. The sunset trails eventually leads to stunning views of Oakland and San Francisco. You can even spot Alcatraz. There are a lot of bugs flying around in swarms in some areas, but they don't bother you. Don't be afraid to use the bathroom. It's really nice for a park bathroom and has toilet seat covers, clean toilets, soap, and a hand dryer. The hot water wasn't working, though. read more

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Really enjoyed my time here. We found parking on the street near the look out point. Walked to the bathroom nearby. Then did a short hike around the area. We started around 4pm which I would recommend because it gives you a lot to do. We thoroughly enjoyed the scenery, trees and exercise. I found a nursery where you can volunteer at as well, dog parks, and other interesting sites and smells. Then right before sunset we made our way to the lookout point and sat at one of their benches, got a perfect spot. There you will see the skyline with San Francisco Bay bridge in the distance and Oakland in front of you. Best time and place for pictures! Saw a heavy metal band taking pictures there as well. I would get there 20 min before sunset to snag a good spot or a bench. There were only 3 benches. The couple next to us had brought cups and wine and were enjoying their time together as the watched the sunset. Others were on the grass. The area had some broken glass so would be careful about that. read more

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Oaklanders will know this l park for its beauty, it's trails and the pleasant loops that accommodates all levels. You will share some of the trails with MTB so beware as some carry much speed. In summer this is the place for some much deserved green shade muted away from the city center. Park your car on the road at your peril though as there are often break ins. Opt to leave nothing of value and to leave it unlocked at least you won't have to have windows replaced. read more

On our last hike, we saw three different pregnant women--on the Sequoia Bay View Trail--it is that easy of a hike. It is also popular for bikes. If you are hiking, it is best not to wear a headset because it makes it harder to hear when the bicyclists come up from behind. You park on the street--on Skyline. Make sure you don't leave valuables in the car--because there is lots of broken glass from car break-ins. If you like getting off the beaten path, there many side trails to explore. Dogs are allowed while on a leash. The main trail is wide which makes it easy to social distance. read more

Joaquin Miller Park - Both shade and sun on the Sequoia Bay View Trail - Parks Near Me - Oakland, California

The pandemic, early in, gave me reason to visit lol cal parks for exercise and communion with something besides my anxieties about the situation. Joaquin Miller was my first first. The goal was 30 minutes out, 30 back. Best decision I made in 2020. The paths, the meadow, the climbs and the trees. And close enough to home to make it a daily occurrence. If you haven't discovered Joaquin Miller Park and its rich history, do it as Spring rounds the corner and the days grow longer. Discover the green of Oakland. read more

An incredible park in the heart of the Oakland Hills. Tons of great trails for hiking or mountain biking. There's also a dog park, an amphitheater, and incredible views of the East Bay and Oakland. Free parking by the ranger station and lots of local history in the park. read more

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Walking Into The Wood. By GOLDFINCH "Taking careful steps, Watching as I should, And careful not to slip, I stepped into a world Where troubles disappeared. The trees around me Protecting me from the evil That pervades our own world. The rustling leaves the backdrop For the symphony That only nature can write, The birds above singing away, A chorus of beauty Embellishing the music with their song, And then above it all The wonderful sound of a blackbird, Accompanied by a robin, Their delightful duet Showing the wonder that this world can have. I walk into a clearing And there before me is a lake, Its mirrored surface reflecting the clouds, The white clouds flowing above me, Bringing peace to my soul. The animals around me just look, No aggression in their eyes As they lap the water, The water that brings life, Life and hope into the world. They accept me for what I am, Another member of the natural world, A world that is alive with wonder. I start to walk to the edge of the wood, Back into my life, My real life where war, drought and famine Bring horror to us all. I stop, I stop and look back. I turn, I turn and go back into the wood." read more

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Came here on a hike on Saturday. This place was amazing. It is truly a hidden gem within the Bay Area. There are many trails that one can go on but I personally went on the Sunset Trail. The entire hike was about an hour one way, but my friend and I ended up walking back through to get back to where we started which was Sanborn Dr. the view from the hike is unmatched. It was so beautiful. You could see the entire east bay as well as San Francisco. The hike was very leisure and too challenging. If you aren't interested in the hike, there are stairs that go to a recreational center. There are also other options in terms of what you can do here, but I did not delve deeper. There are a lot of online resources that show what you can do. The bathrooms were fairly clean and easy to locate. There was adequate street parking on the weekend. There are also water faucets near the bathroom. Would definitely recommend as a fun activity. read more

My favorite park in the bay area! Love the hiking and how spacious this park is! My husband and I have been here a few times but we had tried going to Lake Chabot - which was crazy crowded so we came back to this park and we had a nice peaceful picnic. The nature and overall vibe of this park is always so calming and welcoming. Definitely a nature gem in the bay area! read more

Joaquin Miller was known as the "Poet of the Sierras" during the turn of the last century but to his so-called friends like Ambrose Bierce, he was also known for his dishonesty and womanizing. Regardless of those character flaws, he was also a frontiersman with enough foresight and money to buy the 500 rolling acres of this park in the Oakland Hills. He even planted a lot of the trees. I've lived close to this heavily wooded area off and on for years but never visited until lately as I have been on the hunt for trails I could handle to get to my FitBit step goal. Now I've been here three different times in just the past month and entered the park at different points to explore the variety of terrain and elevations on the numerous intersecting trails found here. My first exposure was off Skyline Blvd. where I walked the Big Trees Trail which weaved in a meandering fashion through the redwoods as I avoided horse droppings along the way (photo: http://bit.ly/2O3yMtz). My second adventure started in a suburban cul-de-sac where the lengthy Palos Colorado Trail begins. This leisurely path winds alongside a creek under the redwoods to the main congregation area of the park (photo: http://bit.ly/2OPK8ye). My third trip here was simply a walk to the Woodminster Cascades where I could only imagine the water running down a series of dry pools, but I was afforded my most panoramic views of Oakland and beyond (photo: http://bit.ly/2zr4gkU). That I was able to have three distinct experiences within the same park is quite a tribute to the "Poet of the Sierras" and the City of Oakland for maintaining it reasonably well. RELATED - Up for a hike? Here are the places around the Bay Area where I have trod: bit.ly/2OsCCsK read more

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I did a 4 miles hike today. The park is huge! A little bit tricky to follow but my All Trails app was very helpful! Parking was easy to find. I parked at Joaquin Miller-Elephant Barn. It was perfect! From there, I did the Sunset Trail to Sequoia Bay and Big Trees Loop. I was hiking with my friend, daughter and two dogs. I felt pretty safe. A few things to point out, there are a lot of mountain bikers. If you are into mountain biking, it looks like this is the place! I did not like that many people keep their dogs off leash. One of my dogs is very nervous and she did not like at all having dogs without a leash approach her. People were wearing masks which was great! I think I would like to explore more of the park. It rained last night and it was a little moody but it was still beautiful. A lot of trees, and shade. read more

This park is huge! If you decide to go, you have lots of trail options. You can follow the paved road and go on an easy stroll with a nice view at the end or get lost in the woods. Lazy or get wild, up to you! There are some parts where it smells like eucalyptus because there are probably eucalyptus trees nearby. But anyway, if you need some fresh air up above Oakland hills area, this place is the spot! read more

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We came out here on a nice week day afternoon with the little dog and had a nice hike throughout the various trails. The trails are all dog friendly and I saw a lot of dogs throughout the trails. The trails are mostly paved, and vary in degrees of difficulty but nothing to bad. I brought a walking stick with me. I started at the Serpentine Preserve. It has one little outhouse which is clean. They are currently working on making additional bathrooms next to the parking lot. The path runs into other trails. Many of the trails are shaded by trees which keeps the walk a little cooler. The trails are well maintained. There are no other restroom facilities along the trail and no available water stations. I found it to be an enjoyable hiking experience but bring your own beverages and snacks. There are garbage cans along the trail. read more