Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park

7867 Redwood Rd, Oakland, CA 94619, United States

Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park (formerly Redwood Regional Park) is part of the East Bay Regional Parks District (EBRPD) in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is located in the hills to the east of Oakland. The park contains the largest remaining natural stand on the coast of redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) found in the East Bay. The park is part of the historic redwood coast belt that extends south to the Leona Canyon Regional Open Space Reserve and east to Moraga.

A hidden redwood forest lies just a few miles across the ridge from downtown Oakland, off Redwood Road. Peaceful forest groves give little evidence of the bustling past of the park – 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 the majestic forest of 150-foot coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) has replaced the logging era.

Redwood forests are more commonly found near the coast, where the air is cool and moist all year round. In the Bay Area, such forests are found in the Santa Cruz Mountains and in the Marin Hills. The unique geographical circumstances of the Redwood Forest in Redwood Regional Park are creating coastal conditions. Winds engulf the Golden Gate flow directly across the Bay and are channeled into the linear valley in which the Montclair District of Oakland is located. The valley is well-watered all year round and protected from extreme temperatures and high winds.

In addition to the large coastal redwood forest, the 1,077-acre park also contains other evergreen, chaparral and grasslands. Wildlife within the park includes rare species such as the golden eagle and the striped racer of Alameda. Deer, raccoons, rabbits, and squirrels are often seen.

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

Popular activities for park visitors include picnicking, jogging, hiking, archery and horseback riding along 40 miles (64 km) of park trails. Fishing is not permitted within Redwood Regional Park. The park offers four picnic sites for groups of 50 to 150 people. Advance bookings are recommended. They are reserved and accessible to persons with disabilities. There are also some overnight group camping areas available. Reservations are needed. The children's playground is a quarter mile down the Stream Trail from the Canyon Meadow staging area.

There are a few entrances to the Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park. The main entrance, Redwood Gate, is on Redwood Road in Oakland, approximately two miles east of Skyline Blvd. At Oakland on Highway 13, exit at Redwood Road and go east (uphill). You cross the Skyline Boulevard at the top of the hill and pass the Skyline Ranch Equestrian Center on the right. You'll pass the Piedmont Stables on the left.

The Big Bear Staging Area will be on the right approximately one and a half miles from Skyline Boulevard, followed by the MacDonald Staging Area on the right and the Redwood Gate on the left.If you continue another quarter mile and turn left at Pinehurst Road, you will reach Pinehurst Gate Staging Area after a few moments.