Temescal Regional Recreation Area

Roll In Shower
Playground
Picnic
Fishing pier
Accessible Restrooms
Accessible Parking
Swimming
Particularly good for families
Fishing
Beach Wheelchair

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Features

Roll In Shower
Playground
Picnic
Fishing pier
Accessible Restrooms
Accessible Parking
Swimming
Particularly good for families
Fishing
Beach Wheelchair

Information

Website:: visit link
Address:: 6500 Broadway, Oakland, CA, 94618
Region:: San Francisco Bay Area
Phone:: Info: 888 327-2757 option 3, ext 4561
Hours:: 5 am-10 pm (gate hours)
Dogs:: On leash
Must be on a maximum 6-foot leash. Not allowed on beach or in the lake.
Last Visited:: September 2022

Reviews

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Tucked between the intersection of Highways 24 and 13 in Oakland, you'll find Temescal Regional Recreation Area, one of East Bay Regional Park's first parks. Don't let its proximity to these freeways deter you from a visit for it offers a convenient way to swim at the beach, fish from an accessible pier and enjoy a lakeside picnic. A grassy area immediately adjacent to the beach, is firm enough to roll over in a wheelchair, and gives one the sense that you're on the beach without the hassle of going across the sand. Accessible changing rooms are nearby.

If the beach isn't your thing, there's a lovely .5 mile paved trail that runs along the east shore; with places to picnic along the shore and an accessible fishing pier that's good for viewing waterfowl .

Understandably, the park can be fairly busy during summer, especially on weekends, so don't go expecting a quiet retreat, but plan to be surprised, as I was, to find this sweet, urban oasis in Oakland.

Trails and Pathways

Trail:: East Shore Trail
Trailhead Location:: Access from north or south parking lots
Trail Length:: Less than .5 mile

Typical Width:: 4 ft. & above
Typical Grade:: Level
Typical Terrain:: Hard

Trail Overview: On this level, short (.5-mile), yet pleasant paved trail that travels the perimeter of the eastern shore, you pass a native plant area, 10 acres of turf, and mature live oak, willow and laurel trees and several picnic spots. Benches are plentiful; some are handcrafted from logs.

To reach the accessible East Shore Trail (the West Shore Trail is inaccessible), from the north parking lot follow the trail left towards the beach. At the start you're slightly elevated above the lake so the views are best here. Thereafter you're never far from the shore.

Just beyond the beach is a little waterful and then an accessible fishing dock where you can take in the views across the lake. Shortly after you pass the south parking lot you reach the West Shore Trail where the terrain changes and becomes impassable to wheeled mobility devices.

On the return you could extend your hike another .8-miles (roundtrip) on the asphalt Landvale Station Trail by crossing the service road at the northern end of the East Shore Trail. This trail has tall bushes on both sides that prevent views of the lake and and also muffle traffic noise as you travel parallel to Hwy 13. The trail ends at Broadway Terrace.

Accessibility Features

The facilities listed below meet all of our access criteria unless otherwise noted.

Accessible Parking:: Yes – designated accessible parking, van accessible, firm, level or slope no greater than 2%;
The North Entrance off Broadway has more accessible spaces than the South Entrance off Broadway Terrace
Accessible Restroom:: Yes – All 3 locations are accessible: By the north & south parking lots and at the beach house.
Beach Wheelchair:: Yes – Reserve 24 hours in advance: (888) 327-2757, option 3, extension 4561
Accessible Picnic Table:: Yes – firm & stable path to tables, firm & stable surface, 27" or greater knee clearance; Several accessible tables are scattered throughout the park. The only ones on pavement are by the dock.