Mountain climbing, swimming and cattle: The way to spend a day at Tilden Regional Park

With summer season in full swing, there’s no higher time to get to Tilden Regional Park.

From mountain climbing, swimming, using trains or merry-go-rounds, or simply having fun with the peaceable nature, there’s a lot for everybody to do.

Wish to make a complete day of it, with or with out the children?

Jen Vanya of the East Bay Regional Parks District helped us create the next itinerary, although there’s so much right here, so be at liberty to bounce round at your leisure.

RELATED: The treasures of Tilden: Stroll by means of park’s crevice backyard to see a few of California’s rarest vegetation

Tilden Nature Space

With greater than 700 acres of land, the protect contains vegetation and woodlands, grasslands, forests and streams. Stroll, run, hike, swim, picnic – select your individual journey.

“You could spend hours there and do a nice amount of activities with young kids until they’re tired out,” Vanya stated. “There’s even a little garden to see there. And a big lawn with picnic tables.”

A customer walks alongside a piece of the East Bay Skyline Path in Tilden Regional Park on Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Berkeley, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Space Information Group) 
2. Environmental instructional heart

Positioned throughout the nature space, this historic constructing highlights the varied assets of the area.

“We have so many exhibits,” Vanya stated. “And that’s where the naturalists will start most of their programs. You can look online at the regional, natural activity guide. If you filter on their calendar by Tilden, you’ll find the programs they’re running out of there.” (See under for some choices.)

3. Little Farm

This historic farm has a lot of animals, together with cows, chickens, pigs, geese, sheep, rabbits and goats, and the children can join feeding applications. From 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 3, youngsters can volunteer to assist with farm duties and maybe style a few of the meals.

4. Jewel Lake Loop Path

Right here’s a straightforward, 1-to-2-mile path with minimal elevation that can solely take 30-60 minutes to finish, all whereas having fun with the exceptional wildlife throughout.

“There are spots for people to stop and observe Jewel Lake, too,” Vanya stated. “If you’re there at the right time of day you can sometimes see turtles on a log. They have environmental exhibits as you walk out there that show the progress of the watershed as it moves through the park.  There’s a boardwalk through that hike which is a nice space for parents to take the kids so they can feel the kids are on a path and don’t run off into the woods.”

Two guests to Tilden Regional Park share an umbrella as they stroll beneath wet skies alongside a path close to Jewel Lake in Berkeley, Calif., on Monday, March 21, 2016. (Kristopher Skinner/Bay Space Information Group) 
5. Botanic Backyard

If the children nonetheless have vitality, try one of many backyard’s scheduled excursions such because the butterfly stroll, birdwatching program or different occasions listed on the calendar.

Crops develop among the many rocks within the crevice backyard on the Tilden Regional Park Botanic Backyard in Berkeley, Calif., on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Space Information Group) 
6. Lake Anza

Cool off right here at this beautiful seaside that’s loaded with picnic areas and a concession stand for all-day leisure. However remember to examine on-line first to verify the water high quality is nice for swimming.

Open every day from 11 a.m. to six p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for teenagers and seniors.

Sunshine Townsend, a water administration technician with the East Bay Regional Park District, appears on the water in Lake Anza in Berkeley, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016. (Kristopher Skinner/Bay Space Information Group) 
7. Merry-Go-Spherical

The Tilden’s Herschell-Spillman Merry-Go-Spherical is an vintage carousel with hand-carved animals and calliope-style music.

The payment is $4. Reservations inspired.

Ray Chavez — employees archives
Andrew Brosnan, of Alamo, then 2, rides the historic carousel in a Santa outfit beforehand at Tilden Regional Park close to Berkeley. 
8. Steam Practice

On the southern finish of Tilden is the Redwood Steam Practice, a scale mannequin of an precise steam practice that Vanya recommends to individuals of all ages, not simply youngsters. It’s solely 12 minutes lengthy and goes by means of a forest that “has grown up over the years,” she stated.

Hours and costs fluctuate, so examine on-line forward of time.

BERKELEY, CA: DECEMBER 15: Conductor Dan Miller operates a steam practice throughout Redwood Valley Railway’s Winterfest at Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019. The railway was based by Erich Thomsen in 1952 and his daughter Ellen Thomsen is now president and co-owner of the railway. (Jane Tyska/Bay Space Information Group) 
Further suggestions:

Vanya recommends trying out the brand new restaurant connected to the golf course, The Overlook. In any other case, convey a lot of meals, she stated, as there aren’t many locations to buy grub.

You’ll want to examine on-line forward of time to verify hours are constant; ebparks.org/parks/tilden.

Initially Revealed: August 5, 2025 at 9:23 AM PDT