The Best Places to Experience Nature Near Oakland
Oakland, California, is a diverse city. It is also a perfect destination if you are looking for an area with abundant nature. Although it does not have high-elevation mountains, this city has small rolling hills, unique preserves, multiple parklands, and nature-centric spots where you can relax and enjoy the view. Oakland’s beauty and serenity are well-known, and many consider it one of the best weekend getaway spots.
Regardless of what part of nature excites you, Oakland has an abundance of gardens, trails, parks, and lakes. You can always find a place in nature that most appeals to you and fulfills your heart’s desire. Here is our list of the best places to experience nature near Oakland.
Lake Chabot
Lake Chabot is an artificial lake near Oakland. Part of the lake lies within Oakland city limits. It covers almost 317 acres of land and has a small island. The lake and the adjacent Lake Chabot Regional Park draw great interest from visitors. You will find numerous recreational opportunities, including areas for picnicking, cycling, biking, camping, and fishing. It also features some areas dedicated to boat tours and rentals, all at an affordable rate. The region around the park features several well-maintained golf courses, a café, and a small restaurant.
Mountain View Cemetery
If you want a place to enjoy nature without getting muddy, consider the Mountain View Cemetery on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland. It is one of the biggest and most stunning cemeteries that you will ever come across, with rolling hills of grass, wild turkeys, and beautiful trees. Although it is a cemetery, the environment does not feel creepy. The locals treat it like a park. Mountain View Cemetery offers the best spot in Oakland for you to watch the sunset.
Oakland Temple
Take some time out and experience moments of peace as you reflect at the Oakland Temple. You can walk through towering palm trees in the temple’s colorful gardens. Also, sit by the fountains and cascading waterfalls as you enjoy the beautiful view of the San Francisco Bay Area.
While there, you can take a guided tour at the Visitor’s Center and learn more about your family history at the Family Search Library. You can also attend events at the Temple Hill Auditorium. The Oakland Temple is a coveted photography area and is one of the best places to enjoy a sunset over the Bay.
Joaquin Miller Park
Joaquin Miller Park is a 500-acre wooded park named after Joaquin Miller, a famous writer. The park features twenty-one well-maintained and marked trails accessible to animals and humans. Within the premises, you will have the chance to view the writer’s well-preserved house and see a statue of him riding a horse. You will also come across similar statues spread throughout the park.
Joaquin Miller Park is home to Woodminster Amphitheater, which features over 2,000 seats. During summers, professional and amateur musicians, as well as comedians, come to perform here. The Woodminster Cascades, with an amazing little pond, is close to the amphitheater.
If you want to enjoy the views of nature overlooking the Bay Area, visiting Joaquin Miller Park is a good idea. However, carry a map, as it’s easy to get lost.
Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt
With over 100 small bonsai trees, Lake Merritt’s Bonsai Garden is a small Japanese-style garden. It is home to one of America’s most extensive and finest Bonsai collections. The garden has been open since 1999 and opens its doors to people who want to soak in the tranquility, freshness, and positive vibes of Lake Merritt. It is open every Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday, and bonsai lovers from all walks of life flock here throughout the year.
Admission to the garden is free, but you might need to be patient to wait for your turn, as no crowds are allowed inside on busy days. However, you could spend some time in the garden if you choose to volunteer, as it is cared for by volunteers.
Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park
The Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park is a nature preserve in Oakland that features dense groves of sequoias and redwoods. It features trees over 150 feet tall, creating a dramatic, surreal, and unique appearance. The park is famous for archery, hiking, and horse riding.
If you enjoy picnics and camping, the park has four designated picnic spots and numerous well-maintained camping areas available by reservation. If you have kids, Stream Trail has a play area free of local wildlife and reptiles.
Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve
The Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve is a nature preserve in the Oakland hills. It is a must-visit place if you are ever in the city and is one of the popular parks in Oakland where you can see nature’s beauty, catch a breath of fresh air, and relax.
Its 241 acres of wild forest offer non-strenuous and interactive hiking trails. The preserve is open from dawn to dusk throughout the year, but pets are not allowed due to the sensitive plant habitat. The preserve features several self-guided loop trails with stands and signs explaining what rock or plant you see. You will encounter various local plants and rare species found nowhere else in the East Bay.
So, we here at De Castoverde Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers have highlighted some of the best places to experience nature near Oakland. Most of the places we have mentioned are close to the city center, making them convenient for you to visit. If there is a spot you feel deserves to be added to our list, tell us about it.
You can also contact us if you need legal assistance with an accident or personal injury case. Our team of professional lawyers is ready to take you through the legal process to ensure you get the right compensation. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so feel free to call us today and request a free case evaluation.
Photo Credit: Image by Julie Marsh is licensed with Unsplash License