Best Scenic Spot Oakland Near Me

4worldlovers: Port View Park, reopened and greatly expanded in 1995 after extensive redesign and reconstruction because of damage suffered during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, offers spectacular views of San Francisco Bay, the San Francisco skyline and Port of Oakland maritime operations at the Seventh Street Terminal.


The park encompasses 4.5 acres of public access with areas for fishing, strolling, picnicking and special events. Port View Park also is the home of the International Maritime Center, a nondenominational chapel and recreational facility for visiting seafarers.

Picnic areas, play area, fishing piers, second-story viewing area and historical display (open 10am-3pm daily and upon request), restrooms, drinking fountain, parking, benches.

As an international gateway, our airport and seaport operations bring economic value to the world. Here at home, we're bringing social and cultural value to the region. Middle Harbor Shoreline Park offers Oakland its first public beach. The views are some of the most magnificent in the area and the park contains an amphitheater for events and performances.

Since World War II, military use has restricted public access to the shoreline of the Middle Harbor. As part of the Port's Vision 2000 seaport program, the public has regained access to the former naval ship basin. Agencies, community representatives and scientists worked together to design the habitat restoration for the more than 150-acre water area of the harbor and the integration of the park with the habitat. Middle Harbor became an ecological reserve of shallow bay and shoreline habitats for many species, such as Dungeness crab, flatfish, anchovy, herring and perch.

Fifteen square blocks of commercial and recreational activities, including opportunities for dining and shopping, strolling, ferry rides, and special events such as the weekly Sunday Farmers Market, the annual Maritime Day and the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. At the north end of the main plaza, at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Fishing Pier, is an elevated platform with views of Alameda and the gantry cranes at the Howard Marine Terminal.

When the extension of the terminal is completed in early 1996, the cranes will be only 500 feet from the pier, giving visitors a close-up view of a working marine terminal. President Roosevelt's official yacht, the USS Potomac, is now moored next to the pier and is open to the public. (For details, call (510) 627-1215.) A mini park at the foot of Alice Street marks the south end of this area. The lightship, The Relief, will move in upon completion of the Howard Terminal expansion.

Restaurants, bars, shops, marinas, guest berths, walkways and plazas, picnic areas, grassy play areas, fishing pier with fish-cleaning areas, restrooms, fountain, benches, public telephones, parking.

4worldlovers:
Union Point Park is an exciting new nine-acre waterfront venue located near Coast Guard Island, just south of the Embarcadero area shoreline. The park offers waterfront access, park activities, and attractive open space in an area of Oakland that has lacked such opportunities. It is owned and operated by the City of Oakland.


Union Point Park reflects the vision and collective efforts of a broad range of community groups, agencies, and individuals including the Unity Council, the Trust for Public Land, the Coastal Conservancy, the City of Oakland, the Port of Oakland, the University Oakland Metropolitan Forum, PGA Design, and Mario Schjetnan of Grupo de Diseno Urbano.

The park is located at 2311 Embarcadero East between Dennison & Kennedy Streets:

The park adjoins Union Point Marina and offers a wide range of engaging opportunities including:

Picnic and barbeque facilities - these may be reserved by calling (510) 238-3187;

Pedestrian and bike paths, some of which are part of the Bay Trail.

The park is owned and operated by the City of Oakland. Park space and facilities can be reserved by calling City of Oakland Parks and Recreation Department at (510) 238-3187. Waterfront Action cannot make reservations for you.

The September 10, 2005 Grand Opening of the park was well-attended by the community and included children's activities, entertainment, and a formal dedication ceremony.

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.