Albany
Alameda
Benicia
Berkeley, Inspiration Point Fans of natural areas will be treated to a 5 minute walk on a gentle sloping hill, and later rewarded with 360 degree views of the reservoirs and of Tilden Park. Getting back up the hill can be harder so pack accordingly. There are restrooms but no drinking water. It can get very hot during the summer. Directions: The park is located in the Berkeley hills just north of Highway 24--take the Fish Ranch Road exit east of the Caldecott Tunnel, drive uphill, and turn right at Grizzly Peak Blvd. From Grizzly Peak, you will pass the Lomas Cantadas Steam Trains entrance, the South Park Drive entrance, the Golf Course Road entrance, and the the Shasta Road entrance. Or, enter the park from its west side in Berkeley from Canon Drive where Wildcat Canyon Road and Grizzly Peak Boulevard intersect. Or, you can also enter the park on its east side from Wildcat Canyon Road off San Pablo Dam Road just north of Orinda Village (take the Orinda exit off Highway 24 east of the Caldecott Tunnel). We will meet in the parking lot middle area, under the shade of the Monterrey pines.
Berkeley, Lake Anza, Tilden Park This shady romantic lake features hundreds of "nooks" for curious painters to discover. The walk to the lake's edge involves stairs, paved and dirt paths and takes about three minutes. The shaded painting spots are comfortable, but there will not be bathrooms or drinking water nearby. It is hard to give really good directions because there are many entrances to Tilden park. We usually go in at Spruce street. The best thing you can go is Google this yourself. Just type in Lake Anza, Tilden Park to get directions from your house. Once you are in the park, there are a lot of signs that will help you find the lake. If the parking lot closest to the lake is closed, you may have to park in the lower lot. There is a set of stairs up to the other lot and then a paved flat path to the lake. There is also a shortcut from the parking lot to the paved path to the lake.
China Camp
Crockett, Carquinez Strait Regional Park The top of this ridge is windy and there's no shade, but the parking lot makes things easy and the breathtaking views of surrounding yellow hills, black cows and farms, not to mention the Strait, make it all worthwhile. Bring your own water as it can get very hot during the summer. No bathrooms. Bring a cart or a backpack. Directions: From 80 take the Pomona Street exit to Crockett and bear left to Pomona street. Stay on Pomona as it passes the residential area. The curvy road continues ascending but be patient. The park will be on the left. You will be able to see its parking lot from your car. Wait for us there.
Crockett, Cummins Skyway Rolling yellow hills punctuated by almost black live oak. This is the landscape many think of when they hear "northern california." Directions: Take 80 east and exit at Cummings Skyway. Go right and stop at the turnout. We will caravan to the spot past the traffic light, that has a pathway where we can walk away from the road to set up our easels.
El Cerrito, Corner of Navellier St. and Portola Dr If you love the Hillside Natural area, and the "Thiebaudesque" up-and-down hills in El Cerrito this is the spot for you. The vast undeveloped area flanking Moeser Ave. lets you paint close to your car and in the shade, or more exposed but with more views to choose from as you go up on a modest dirt path. Bring your own water and a cell phone. Directions: Take the Central exit, make a left on San Pablo Ave, and a right on Moeser. Make a left on Navellier, park just past the middle school to your left, and wait for the others.
El Cerrito, Lower Hillside Natural Area This historic former quarry affords a combination of descending natural and suburban views. You will be doing little walking, but it is all steep and uphill, so bring a cart or a backpack, your own water, and a cell phone. Directions: Take the Central exit, make a left on San Pablo Ave, and a right on Moeser. Make a left on Navellier and a right on Schmidt Lane. On Schmidt Lane, there is a dirt road entering the Hillside Natural Area. Please park on Schmidt Lane and wait for the others.
El Cerrito, Top of Hillside Natural Area There's a little-known trailhead leading to views of the developed flatlands that sweep three cities in matrix fashion. There is very little shade on sunny days, and because of its altitude the hill can be foggy and/or windy. Some walking on dirt trails is required. Bring a cell phone, your own drinking and painting water, and a backpack of sturdy cart. Directions: From Oakland, El Sobrante, Richmond and San Pablo: Take 80, get off on Carlson, make a left on Plumas Ave. Go left on San Pablo Ave and a right on Moeser Lane, which goes up. Almost at the top, you'll find Shevlin Dr to your left. Go on Shevlin and stay to your left. Pass Earl Court to your left and stay left of the fork. Do not go on Shevlin PL. Stay on Shevlin Dr. At the end if it, you will see King Ct to your left. Park at the end, which is where we'll meet. Those of you who live in Berkeley can take North Arlington Rd and make a left on Moeser Lane, then almost immediately make a right on Shevlin Dr. then follow the above instructions.
El Sobrante
Emeryville
Kensington
Larkspur
Mare Island
Marin Headlands
Martinez
Oakland, Adams Park Adams Park is a busy, small park wedged between Harrison and West Grand Ave. Passersby are curious but respectful. It is still possible to park less than a block away. There are wonderful views of the very modern cathedral and surrounding skyscrapers coupled with the lovely Lake Merrit. All of it punctuated by fluorescent green lawns, black evergreens, leafless sycamores and other trees in various states of yellow decay during winter. There are no bathrooms. Bring warm clothes, water, and a cell phone. Directions: Take 580 to Oakland, get of on Grand Ave. Go west on Grand until you hit Harrison St. The park is at the corner of Harrison and Grand Ave. There's parking on Bay Place.
Pinole
Point Reyes
Point Richmond, Nicholls Nob The top of Crest Ave has gorgeous 360 degree views of the bay, Point Richmond, and of the Miller Knox Regional Park. The painting spots are shady, and will appear almost immediately after leaving the trailhead. This trailhead leads to a comfortable paved road that goes up to the flat top of this hill, for those who prefer carting their gear. A strenuous hiking path going straight up also ends at the top. This short path can be a shortcut for someone fit with their gear in a backpack. People who don't want to walk all the way to the top will be happy at the trailhead. Directions: From 80, take the Cutting exit all the way to Point Richmond if you are coming from El Sobrante or Pinole. If you are coming from Berkeley, take 580 to Cutting Ave, then follow signs to Point Richmond. Go up Washington Ave, then left on Crest Avenue all the way to the trailhead near the top of this hill. There are no bathrooms, and no water. Bring a cart or a backpack with your supplies, as well as a cell phone.
Richmond, Meeker Slough/Western Stege Marsh A short paved trail leads to shaded painting spots with close-up views of the slough, its fauna and flora, and the marsh beyond. If willing to walk a little longer, you'll enjoy expansive views of the bay and Albany Hill, but will no longer find shaded painting spots. There are bathrooms about half a mile to the west at Shimada Park. Directions: From Berkeley, take hwy 80, then hwy 580 toward the Richmond Bridge. Take the South 23rd St/Marina Bay Pkwy exit off hwy 580. Turn left (over hwy) on Marina Bay (1st traffic light). Turn left on Bayside Drive off Marina Bay. From the parking area, it’s approximately 1 block to the Meeker Slough.Continue on Marina Bay across Regatta (4th traffic light). Continue to end of Bayside Drive. There is a small area to park (10 spaces or so). If the parking lot is full, you can park on nearby Shimada Park and walk approximately two block to the same slough.
San Pablo
Selby (A.K.A. Crockett Vista Point) Sweeping views of the Strait, of Mare Island, and of the hills beyond, with beautiful colors in the ground cover all around. Once you leave the parking lot you'll be walking on narrow dirt paths which are not level, and are muddy in the winter. There is some shade under the small trees that have grown on this cliff, and plenty of semi-private painting spots, all with gorgeous views. Bring your own water. There are no bathrooms. Directions: From 80 take the Cummings Skyway exit and go left onto Commings Skyway then right on San Pablo. The parking lot for the Vista Point will be on your left.
Tormey If you love farm animals and yellow hills, Tormey is for you. Karen found this very interesting website some time ago, which explains the origins of this minute, historic town surrounded by the Chevron refinery. There is no shade. It can be very hot in the summer, so be sure to bring a hat and drinking water along with a cell phone. The neighbors are few but friendly, and know our group. Directions: From 80 East take the Cummings Skyway extit (26). Go left on Cummings Skyway and left on San Pablo and you will see a row of houses on the left on Old County Road. We will meet at the end of the block by the corral.
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