Redwood Regional Park

7867 Redwood Rd, Oakland, CA, US, 94618

A secret redwood forest lies just a few miles across the ridge from downtown Oakland, off Redwood Lane. The quiet groves of the forest provide no indication of the busy history of the park-in the mid-1800s the area was the site of intensive logging to supply the San Francisco Bay Area with building materials. The age of logging has long gone by, and a magnificent 150-foot coastal redwood forest (Sequoia sempervirens) has replaced those cut down.

Besides a large coastal redwood forest, 1,077 acres of the park also contain other evergreens, chaparral, and grasslands. The park's habitat includes rare species like the golden eagle and the black racer Alameda. We often see cats, raccoons, rabbits and squirrels.

The name of the rainbow trout species was based on fish taken from the watershed of the San Leandro River, which includes the Redwood Creek. The trout seen in today's creek are descendants of that pure strain. Historical Landmark #970 is situated within the Redwood Gate park entrance off Redwood Road within a short distance of the fishway interpretive site. In this area the fish-way was established at the creek to help the trout access their upstream spawning grounds. Remember that fishing is not allowed in the park.

Redwood Regional Park is a perfect alternative to driving up to Muir Woods if people want to experience some amazing redwood lined trails in the East Bay. One of the great things about this park is that some people can park up in the hills and then walk around the park on the rim trail-then go down to the park. If they do, they can check out the Spectacular French Trail! This is not an easy trail so bring some good shoes.

Here dog walkers love to bring their pets. That is a more friendly hike for dogs, so if your dog doesn't get along with pets you might try places like Leona Canyon where there aren't too many dogs. It was great for older dogs who still enjoyed socializing. Look out on the smaller trails for the rare bikes. You can see water, bathrooms, and a parking lot. Garbage cans aren't enough for dog poop.

To go to Redwood Regional Park, it has many entrances. The main entrance, Redwood Gate, sits about two miles east of Skyline Blvd on Redwood Road in Oakland. Take the Redwood Road exit at Oakland on Highway 13, and go east (uphill). You cross Skyline Boulevard at the top of the hill and you past the Skyline Ranch Equestrian Center on the right. To the west, you'll pass Piedmont Stables further along. Big Bear Staging Area will be on the right about 1⁄2 miles from Skyline Boulevard, followed by MacDonald Staging Area on the right and Redwood Gate on the left (seasonal parking fee). After a few moments you can enter Pinehurst Gate Staging Area if you proceed another quarter mile and turn left at Pinehurst Avenue.