The Ultimate Guide To Redwood Regional Park

(Photo credit: Thinkstock)

An almost hidden treasure of redwood trees lies just off Redwood Road, a few miles from downtown Oakland, California. The lush greenery, peaceful groves and sheer beauty provide a welcome oasis that blocks out the bustling city outside. This is Redwood Regional Park, where in the mid-1800s, extensive logging supplied building materials for the San Francisco Bay Area. The logging is distant history now, yet an impressive forest of 150-foot coast redwoods has replaced the trees cut down and opens onto a stunning huge area of flora, fauna and panoramic views that highlight the walking trails, biking paths, creeks and serene beauty here.

Redwood Regional Park
7867 Redwood Road
Oakland, CA 94619
(888) 327-2757
www.ebparks.org

Hours: 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., unless otherwise posted
Fees: Free to walk in, $5 per vehicle, $4 per trailered vehicle, $25 per bus, $2 per dog, no charge for service dogs

About Redwood Regional Park

Beautiful, peaceful and amazing are just a few words used to describe the redwood sanctuary that is Redwoods National Park. The park is huge with so much to see and wonderful views. Visitors often say they were "shocked' by its beauty when first entering this lovely, quiet haven a mere 15 minutes or less from the urban civilization of Oakland, California. Redwoods Regional Park is a stunning green forest paradise of mighty coastal redwoods that transports visitors to a place that feels further away than its few miles from the city's downtown. The only skyscrapers you will encounter here are the towering redwood trees.

Park Features

In addition to the park's namesake towering trees, Redwood Regional Park's 1,830 acres contain other evergreens, grasslands and chaparral, and is home to a myriad of wildlife including rare and endangered species such as the Alameda striped racer, the golden eagle and the marbled murrelet, along with more common critters such as rabbits, raccoons, squirrels and deer. It is also common for visitors to encounter animals grazing on park grasslands. Grazing animals such as cattle, sheep and goats have been part of the region's ecosystem for thousands of years, evidenced by East Bay flora that evolved from the presence of prehistoric herbivores: the large herds of antelope, deer, elk and other grazing animals feeding on the land.

Park Activities

Hiking, jogging and horseback riding are among the popular activities along the almost 40 miles of trails at Redwood Regional Park. Day trekkers will like the four picnic sites available to reserve for groups of 50 to 150, some in secluded clearings and others in grassy areas, or come with a few day hikers and carry packed lunches to enjoy in a grassy area along the way. With kids in tow, meander to the children's structure about one-quarter mile down Stream Trail from the Canyon Meadow staging area. There are several group day and overnight camping areas within the park, available by reservation only. To reserve a picnic or camping site call (888) 327-2757 and press option two.

Download the Redwood Regional Park map and brochure text to help you become familiar with the park and its trails. Click here for a Virtual Panorama of Redwood Regional Park.

Accessibility

Some picnic sites, Canyon Staging Area and Skyline Staging Area, plus a few trails are accessible for wheelchair users. Stream Trail is the easiest and most accessible trail, followed by West Ridge Trail. Read more on Redwood Regional Park accessibility from wheelchairtraveling.com here.

Getting To The Park

There are several entrances to Redwood Regional Park. The main entrance is Redwood Gate on Redwood Road in Oakland, which is about two miles east of Skyline Boulevard. Click here for the Transit and Trails map for Redwood Regional Park showing transit, biking and walking information. Visit the website for complete driving and public transportation information.