Redwoods, History and More in Walk in the Park

Oakland wasn’t named for its redwoods, that’s for sure. Yet a magnificent redwood forest once thrived at what is now the eastern edge of the metropolis.

Oakland’s redwoods are removed from other areas of coast redwoods--the Santa Cruz Mountains to the south and the state and national parks on California’s north coast--which makes a walk in Redwood Regional Park all the more special.

During and after the Gold Rush of 1849 most of these Oakland-adjacent redwoods were felled; the lumber helped build Oakland and San Francisco. How big were the trees that were chopped down? A stump on the slopes of Redwood Peak measured 33 feet in diameter; the largest redwood living today barely reaches 20 feet in diameter.

The second generation of redwoods, now more than a century old, tower more than 100 feet. (In another 1,000 years or so, they might approach the size of their predecessors.)

Along with the redwoods, the park includes more typical East Bay terrain--grassy meadows as well as an oak and madrono woodland. Nonnative Monterey pine and eucalyptus are also plentiful.

A southeast tour on Stream Trail and a northwest return on French Trail offer a clockwise tour of the heart of the park. If you’re feeling energetic, try a longer tour via the East Ridge and West Ridge trails. Expect company on the trail, particularly on weekends.

Directions to trail head: From California 13 (Warren Freeway) south of Oakland, exit on Joaquin Miller Road and head east to Skyline Boulevard. Turn left and drive north five miles to the Skyline Gate Staging Area for parking.

The hike: Join Stream Trail as it descends a brushy canyon wall to Redwood Creek. You’ll reach Girls Camp picnic area, half a mile out, then travel through the redwood forest. At about 1.25 miles from the trail head, you can cut the loop short by joining French Trail or continue with Stream Trail past more picnicking--Mill Site and Fern Hut. At Fern Hut’s far end, the short but steep little Fern Trail zigs right, then zags left, connecting Stream and French trails.

Tres Sendas Trail meanders and briefly merges, then junctions with West Ridge Trail for the return to the parking area.

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Stream, French Trails

WHERE: Redwood Regional Park, East Bay

DISTANCE: 3- and 5-mile loops.

TERRAIN: Ferns, huckleberries, redwoods.

HIGHLIGHTS: Redwood forest, the next generation.

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Redwood Regional Park, c/o East Bay Regional Park District, 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland, CA 94605. General park information; tel. (510) 562-7275 or (510) 635-0135.