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César E. Chávez Park

11 Spinnaker Way, Berkeley, California 94710, United States

César Chávez Park is a 90-acre (36-hectare) town park in Berkeley, California named after César Chávez. It can be found on the peninsula on the north side of the Berkeley Marina in San Francisco Bay, adjacent to East Shore State Park.

The park began as a landfill site dating back to 1957, when dikes were built to contain municipal waste. In 1969, the city adopted the Marina Master Plan, which set aside the landfill site for unstructured recreation. In 1991, the city completely sealed the landfill site and the park opened shortly thereafter, initially as North Waterfront Park. In 1996, the town renamed the park César E. Chávez, a union leader and founder of the United Farm Workers of America.

Real Estate Agency Berkeley

The park is located east of San Francisco Bay and offers panoramic views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Marin Headlands and the eastern bay hills. The park's terrain is characterized by very open grassy hills that have become popular for kite flying. Paved paths run along the perimeter and across the park, where picnic tables and barbecue grills are open to the public.

Berkeley's SF Bay-side park with 90 rolling acres and 1,5 paved trails. Wildlife sanctuary, sports fields, paved trails, picnic areas and wide open meadows for Frisbee and kite flying. Hiking and cycling are allowed. The annual July International Kite Festival is here. Park Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., unless otherwise stated. Paved paths around the perimeter and part of the interior are wheelchair accessible; there are no other areas.

This space, on the San Francisco Bay Natural Peninsula, has been used as a landfill site since 1957. But in 1991, the town of Berkeley transformed the area into a waterfront recreation, a wildlife sanctuary and a 17-acre dog park. In 1996, the park was renamed Cesar Chavez, a farmer labor activist and founder of United Farm Workers of America.

There are many birdhouses with local species, including large brown pelicans. The park advises against feeding the squirrels in the park, but apparently few visitors follow these rules, as the squirrels are very friendly and approach the visitors along the way.

Uniquely located in the Bay, the park also offers beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge, downtown San Francisco, Alcatraz and Mount Tamalpais to the north. The 1,25 mile path around the park is completely handicapped-accessible.

Due to its location on the water, the park is ideal for kite flying. The Berkeley Kite Festival is held every year on the last weekend of July, and professional kites come out in mass.

Park features of the park:

  • Area: 90 acres (3,920,400 sq . ft.)
  • Large multipurpose turf area.
  • Picnic areas with barbecue
  • Hiking trails throughout the park; the 1,25 mile Dorothy Stegmann trail around the park 's perimeter is fully wheelchair accessible.
  • Shoreline and Wetland Area
  • Spectacular views from the trails and the view, including the Bay of San Francisco to the west and the hills to the east.
  • Off-leash dog area (only in the designated area)
  • Wildlife Sanctuary at the undeveloped north end of the park
  • Kite flying (the annual Kite Festival in July)
  • Wildlife Sanctuary at the undeveloped north 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.

Popular activities include model rocket launch, kite flying, drone and model aircraft flying, picnicking, dog walking , jogging and walking. Although the park does not have access to water on the peninsula, because there are no beaches or steps down the reinforced shoreline of the park.

This amazing child-friendly park is just one of the many must-see sights you don’t want to miss in Berkeley, California:

  • Becky Temko Tot Park
  • Williard Park
  • San Pablo Park 
  • Live Oak Park
  • Strawberry Creek Park
  • Adventure Playground
  • Codornices Park
  • Indian Rock Park

All of these wonderful parks are situated just a short distance from our location at 1647 Hopkins St, in Berkeley! Stop by for a visit anytime!