Central Park Dr.
Berkeley, CA 94701
(510) 544-2233
ebparks.org
Description
Set just north of Tilden Park, the Tilden Nature Area is a vast 740 acres of grasslands, forests, and streams. Its 10 miles of hiking trails range from leisurely boardwalks through the woods to climbs reaching more than 1,000 feet in elevation, and its historic reservoir, Jewel Lake, is a tranquil place to settle with a picnic to watch the wildlife.
There are also campsites available for those who want to extend their stay—and who wouldn’t? From the beautiful views of the San Francisco Bay Area to the renowned Environmental Education Center (EEC), there is plenty here for everybody. The EEC offers several programs and exhibits designed to get people educated and enthusiastic about nature.
And then there is Little Farm, perhaps the most popular feature of the park. Established in 1955, this miniature working farm, home to heritage breeds like Milking Shorthorn cattle, as well as a whole slew of sheep, rabbits, pigs, and more. In springtime, it’s a great place to coo over baby animals. Petting is encouraged, and be sure to bring lettuce and celery, the only foods you’re allowed to feed the animals.
Read about more “wild” adventures in the Bay Area.
Directions
Take BART to Downtown Berkeley. From there, you can either take the AC Transit Bus #65 to Grizzly Peak Boulevard, or rent a bike from the BART bike station and hit the park on two wheels.
