Berkeley's West End
Berkeley Marina
Berkeley is bounded by two wild sides that serve as natural parentheses to this compact city. Forested, wildlife-rich Tilden Regional Park forms the city’s eastern boundary. To the west are the San Francisco Bay, wetland habitat, wildlife sanctuary, and the Berkeley Marina.
Berkeley's west edge, the Marina offers a tremendous range of experiences:
- Amazing playgrounds
- Beautiful open spaces for leisurely walking and hiking
- Open water swimming
- Water sports: kayaking, SUPs, sailing, kiteboarding, windsurfing
- Sport fishing
- Great restaurants, such as the Berkeley Boathouse
Read more about specific areas within the marina and special events and amenities here.
Cesar Chavez Park
Cesar Chavez Park offers a wide range of recreational opportunities at the Berkeley Marina, with spectacular views of three San Francisco Bay bridges, Alcatraz and Angel islands and the sparkling San Francisco city skyline.
- Shoreline hiking trails (some paved and wheelchair accessible) offer spectacular views and vistas.
- Restored wetland habitat hosts flocks of seabirds, life, as does the park’s wildlife sanctuary.
- Off-leash dog play areas, picnic and BBQ areas, and perhaps the best kite flying on the continent are here, too.
- The Berkeley Marina Sport Fishing Center is based here, as are the Olympic Circle Sailing School, Cal Sailing Club, and Cal Adventures.
Berkeley Marina Events
In addition to the year-round recreational opportunities, the Marina offers several popular annual festivals and events.
- The Berkeley Bay Festival happens every April. This ecology-themed festival includes environmental education as well as hands-on activities like sailboat rides and dragon boat tours of the Bay.
- The Marina booms every Fourth of July with Berkeley’s Independence Day festival and fireworks.
- Later in the month, the Berkeley Kite Festival takes to the sky with spectacular flying shapes of all sizes. Held at Cesar Chavez Park, the Kite Festival’s proximity to prevailing Golden Gate zephyrs makes the Marina green great for serious kite running.
- For the full scoop on all the events happening in the Berkeley area, please click here.
Shorebird Park
Shorebird Park, situated along the southern shoreline at the Berkeley Marina, offers the following:
- Shorebird Nature Center and Classroom is the first municipal strawbale building in the United States
- Picnicking sites
- Playgrounds
- Postcard-perfect views
Adventure Playground
Adventure Playground is an only-in-Berkeley experience for kids, friends and families. Called one of the country’s best playgrounds by National Geographic, Adventure Playground features some truly unique adventures and activities:
- A variety of hand-made climbing structures repurposed from scrap lumber and materials
- A zip line
- A tool library and work tables for kids to engage in creative play
Parking & Transportation
- Ample, free public parking is available at the Berkeley Marina!
- Visitors can also reach the marina via AC Transit’s 51B bus line
- For more information on getting to and around Berkeley, click here.