César E. Chávez Park
11 Spinnaker Way, Berkeley, CA 94710
Built on the site of a former landfill, Cesar Chavez Park provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities in a marina setting with stunning views over the three bridges of the Bay, Alcatraz, and Angel Island.
Park Features
- Acreage: 90 acres (3,920,400 sq. ft.)
- Large multi-purpose turf area
- Picnic areas with BBQ
- Hiking on trails throughout the park; the 1.25 mile Dorothy Stegmann trail around the park’s perimeter is fully wheelchair accessible
- Shoreline and wetland areas
- Spectacular views from trails and vista, including the San Francisco Bay to the west and the hills to the east
- Off-leash dog area (in designated area only)
- The wildlife sanctuary at the undeveloped northern end of the park
- Kite flying (site of annual Kite Festival in July)
- The wildlife sanctuary at the undeveloped northern end of the park
- Portable Toilets Available
- Limited Parking Available
- Picnic areas are available on a first-come basis; special events open to the public need a rental permit. Contact the Recreation Office at 510-981-5150
- Chavez Memorial Solar Calendar
The park started as a landfill that dates back to 1957 when the dikes were designed to handle the industrial waste. The town adopted the Marina Master Plan in 1969 that set aside the landfill area for unstructured recreation. The town finally sealed the landfill in 1991, and soon afterward the park opened, initially as North Waterfront Park. The city renamed the park in 1996, honoring César E. Chávez, union leader and member of the United Farm Workers of America.
Activities:
Model rocket launching, kite flying, drone, and model airplane flight, picnicking, dog walking, jogging and cycling are common activities. While the park does not have access to water on an island, since there are no beaches or steps down the reinforced shoreline of the park.
Events:
- Solstice and Equinox celebrations at Solar Calendar: The solstices and equinoxes are held annually. Such events contain elements of both science and culture.
- Fourth of July Celebration and Fireworks: Although much of this celebration takes place elsewhere in the Marina, many people gather to watch the fireworks on the little hills in Cesar Chavez Park.
- Berkeley Kite Festival: The last weekend in July was a yearly event. Amateurs and professionals fly hundreds of kites of every type. Hundreds of drivers attend, making it difficult to park.
By Jeffreymendel Jeffrey Nash - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50308966
This amazing landmark is located near the following amazing must-see sites in Berkeley, California:
- Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive
- Lawrence Hall of Science
- Indian Rock Park
- Tilden Regional Park
- Berkeley Rose Garden
- The University of California Botanical Garden
- Adventure Playground
- Codornices Park
All of these wonderful points of interest are located just a short distance from our location, conveniently located just down the freeway at 1261 Locust St, Walnut Creek! Stop by for a visit anytime!
