Best National Forest Oakland Near Me

4worldlovers: All fees are collected on weekends and major holidays April through October and only at the Redwood Gate entrance | Parking: 5 per vehicle; $4 per trailered vehicle. Buses: $25 per bus | Dogs: $2 per dog. No fee charged for guide/service dogs.

West Ridge Trail between Golden Spike and Bridle Trail is closed

Visitors are asked to follow all signage and take extra care in the park. View Map.

Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park is a hidden gem of redwood forest off Redwood Road, just a few miles over the ridge from downtown Oakland. The forest's peaceful groves give little evidence of the park's bustling past. In the mid-1800s the area was the scene of extensive logging to supply building materials for the San Francisco Bay Area. The logging era has long since passed, and a stately forest of 150-foot coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) has replaced those cut down.

In 2019, the park was renamed in honor of Dr. Aurelia Henry Reinhardt, president of Mills College. Dr. Reinhardt was one of five prominent civic leaders elected to the Park District’s first Board of Directors in 1934.

Some picnic sites, Canyon Meadow Staging Area and Skyline Gate Staging Area are accessible to wheelchair users.

This 1,833-acre park is home to a great forest of coast redwoods as well as evergreens, chaparral, and grasslands. Wildlife within the park includes rare species such as the golden eagle and Alameda striped racer. Deer, raccoons, rabbits, and squirrels are often seen.

The naming of the rainbow trout species was based on fish taken from the San Leandro Creek drainage, which includes Redwood Creek. Trout seen in the creek today are descendants of that pure strain. Historical Landmark #970 is located at the fishway interpretive site a short distance inside the park's Redwood Gate park entrance off Redwood Road. The fish-way was constructed at the creek in this area to help the trout reach their upstream spawning grounds. Please note that fishing is not allowed in the park.

> Watch a KQED Science video about ladybugs. Courtesy of KQED Science

This park offers four reservable picnic sites for groups ranging in size from 50 to 150. Some are in secluded glades and others in open, grassy areas; telephone 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2. The picnic sites are accessible to persons with disabilities.

There is a children's play structure about one-quarter mile down Stream Trail from the Canyon Meadow staging area.

Several group overnight camping areas are located within the park. They are available by reservation only; telephone 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2, for information.