Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley is a fantastic place to visit for hiking, biking, forest bathing, and general wandering in the outdoors. In addition to miles of hiking trails, though, the park also has a variety of historic attractions that are worth a visit. That’s especially true if you’re visiting Tilden with kids, who might not appreciate a brisk 5-mile hike on Inspiration Point trail or biking Wildcat Canyon Road.
Join me on a virtual visit to two of Tilden’s top attractions.
The Carousel
Deep in Tilden Park there’s a historic carousel dating back to 1911. The carousel wasn’t built in the park, but it was relocated there and lovingly restored. You can ride on any of a variety of fancifully-painted animals (ostriches, anyone?) and watch some of the restoration work in progress.
Rides cost $4, and kids can take a big person for free.
One of the best parts? A snack bar serving Fenton’s ice cream!
Redwood Valley Railway
Right near the Berkeley entrance to Tilden you’ll find Redwood Valley Railway. It’s a historic, small-gauge steam railway that takes a meandering 12-minute ride through redwood trees and provides brief but stunning panoramic views of the Bay Area.
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This isn’t a hokey attraction with some cheap cars and a fake engine that actually runs on gasoline — Redwood Valley Railway operates real steam locomotives which are perfect replicas of the large steam engines that used to ply California’s railroads. While this particular railway was built to ferry leisure seekers, it’s similar to the small-gauge railroads that would have been used in mines and for logging in California’s woods.
It’s the perfect stop for kids who want a fun ride, or for railfans of all ages.
Tilden is a fantastic place to connect with nature, and to escape the heat of the East Bay during the Summer. But if you’re heading there with kids (or history buffs), make sure to check out the park’s historic attractions.
