Glendale La Loma Park

Hillside Haven with a View

Perched on a terraced hillside in the Berkeley Hills, Glendale La Loma Park spans 5.61 acres of recreational space with something for everyone. On clear days, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay stretching out before you.

Dating back to the 1960s, this park has grown over the decades as additional land was acquired. It's not just locals who appreciate its charm - in 1974, the park received the National Merit Design Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects.

Three Tiers of Fun

The park unfolds across three distinct levels connected by winding footpaths. At the top, you'll find a fenced tot lot well-suited for the little ones, complete with a small play structure, bucket swings, and an adorable train-shaped climbing tunnel that kids love.

This upper section also features a hillside climbing wall for more adventurous youngsters, a shaded picnic table for snack breaks, and the main parking area for visitors arriving by car.

Playground Paradise

Make your way down to the middle level and you'll discover a more substantial playground designed with older children in mind. There's a certain nostalgic charm to the wooden play structure here, equipped with classic monkey bars, an exciting zip line, a tall metal slide (the kind they don't really make anymore), a bouncy bridge, and a rolling balance log.

The traditional swings and sand area provide timeless entertainment for kids who want to soar through the air or dig to their heart's content. While these play areas might not boast the polished maintenance of some other Berkeley Hills parks, they offer an authentic, well-loved play experience.

Sports and Gatherings

At the bottom level, sports enthusiasts can enjoy a baseball field and what locals consider a location of a half-court basketball court. This is also where you'll come across the park's only restrooms - separate facilities for different genders that, despite their age, are kept reasonably clean.

The bottom area rounds out its offerings with a grilling area and additional picnic spaces, creating the perfect setting for weekend family cookouts or casual get-togethers with friends.

Natural Beauty and Access

Towering redwood and eucalyptus trees create a peaceful backdrop around the park, lending a serene forest-like atmosphere to your recreational activities.

Note that while there are some handicap accessible paths across the park, the naturally hilly terrain means complete wheelchair accessibility is limited. For neighborhood residents, small footpaths connect the park to surrounding streets at the bottom level, providing convenient access points beyond the main entrance.