Tilden Regional Park

Tilden Regional Park is a 2,079-acre regional park in the Berkeley Hills of Northern California, managed by the East Bay Regional Park District. The park sits in the hills above the cities of Berkeley and Orinda and is one of the largest and most visited parks in the East Bay.

The park contains a mix of recreational attractions and natural areas. Notable features include a native-plant botanic garden, a man-made swimming lake with a sandy beach, a small working farm with domestic animals, a miniature steam train, and a network of hiking and multi-use trails including the paved Nimitz Way. Ridge-top sections provide panoramic views across San Francisco Bay and to nearby peaks.

The park was established in the early 20th century and is named for Charles Lee Tilden. Much of the park’s visitor infrastructure and trails were developed during the first half of the 20th century as the East Bay Regional Park District expanded parklands in the Berkeley Hills.

Tilden sits in Alameda County in the Berkeley Hills between the cities of Berkeley and Orinda. The park is located east of the main San Francisco Bay shoreline and is approximately 10 miles (16 km) east of downtown San Francisco across the bay.

• Best viewpoints: Offers panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay from ridge-top points such as Grizzly Peak and along Nimitz Way.
• Botanic garden: Contains a dedicated native-plant botanic garden useful for learning about California ecosystems and drought-tolerant species.

What to See#

• Regional Parks Botanic Garden: A specialised garden of California native plants occupying a sheltered site in the park and arranged by habitat to display regional flora.
• Lake Anza: A man-made swimming lake with a sandy beach and picnic facilities that is a common warm-weather recreational spot.
• Tilden Little Farm: A working small farm with domestic animals and daily feeding demonstrations designed for family visits and school groups.
• Tilden Steam Train: A narrow-gauge miniature railway and related exhibits that operate on weekends and holidays, popular with children and families.
• Nimitz Way: A gently graded, mostly paved ridge-top route used for walking, cycling, and views across the San Francisco Bay.

Tilden is accessible from Berkeley and nearby East Bay cities. Drive up Grizzly Peak Boulevard or Wildcat Canyon Road to reach main parking areas; public transit from Berkeley (AC Transit buses) serves some trailhead-adjacent stops. Multiple entrances serve different parts of the park; consult the East Bay Regional Park District map for directions to specific attractions like the Botanic Garden or the Little Farm.

• Take the Nimitz Way or Wildcat Gorge trails early for shade and quiet; both provide panoramic views of the Bay and city.
• Visit the Tilden Botanic Garden (on-site) mid-morning when plant labels are readable and staff may be available.
• Weekends draw families - weekday visits are best for solitude and longer hikes.