ROCK PARKS OF BERKELEY [Sunday]

ROCK PARKS OF BERKELEY [Sunday]

Hike Date:  Sunday, March 29, 2026

Leader:  Leonard Gabriele

Leader's Email: leonardgabriele@sbcglobal.net

Leader's Phone:  ‭(415) 309-0337‬

Hike Rating:  Level-2 

Hike Mileage:  5.7

Elevation Gain:  1000' 

SF Meeting Location: Whole Foods;  2001 Market St. @ Dolores (on the Dolores St. side); parking on the street or below. Please only show up at Whole Foods if you've arranged to meet your ride or driver there.

Carpooling Meeting Times:  SF: 9:20 AM, North Berkeley BART: 9:50 AM, departing shortly afterwards.

Description:  Northeast Berkeley has a high concentration of rock outcroppings.  Beginning about 25 million years ago with the formation of the San Andreas Fault system (including the Hayward Fault) the rocks that can be seen in Pinnacles National Monument were moved north at a rate of roughly 2 inches per year from their Southern California origin near Lancaster to their present location while others were moved farther north to the Thousand Oaks and Cragmont neighborhoods of Berkeley.  Once considered for a regional park, this area was developed instead as streetcar subdivisions with the rocks left in place - small parcels with architect-designed homes and a network of paths leading down to the mainlines of the old Key System of streetcars.

We will be visiting seven small parks with large rocks, passing numerous homes built behind, around and on top of these geologic features.  We'll be stopping for lunch on one of the larger rocks before circling back to our starting point.  I anticipate that the hike will be slower-paced than usual with people stopping to look and read about some of the sites and their history while taking in the views across the bay.

Bring / Wear:  Bring water, layered clothing, lunch, sunscreen, sturdy shoes or hiking boots and lunch. Dogs are permitted.

Rain Policy:  Contact hikeleader if weather is questionable.

Trailhead Meeting Place:  Hinkel Park Amphitheater
Google Maps Link

Trailhead Meeting Time:  10:00 AM, departing at 10:15.

Driving Distance (round trip):  32 miles (SF), 4 miles (No. Berkeley BART).

Carpool Fees (per passenger):  $7 (SF) or $0 (No. Berkeley BART).

(I will inform you of carpooling arrangements by late Thursday or early Friday.)