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44 Best and Fun Things To Do In El Cerrito, California


TouristWire Editors

Known for its abundance of parks and natural areas, El Cerrito is a great city for nature lovers. It is located in Contra Costa County, California, right next to Tilden Regional Park.

Other parks in El Cerrito include Tassajara Park, Arlington Park and Clubhouse, Cerrito Vista Park, and the Hillside Natural Area. There is also a wide variety of hiking and biking trails, including those at the Rifle Range Road Trailhead.

And, if you’re looking for something more adventurous, why not stop by Halcones Paracaidismo or La Maloca de Los Vientos? Here, visitors can enjoy adrenaline-filled activities like parasailing, skydiving, and paragliding.

Here’s our list of top things to do in El Cerrito, California

The 44 Most Popular Things To Do In El Cerrito, California

44. Codornices Creek

5.0 ★★★★★ (1 review)

43. Berkeley Rotary International Peace Grove

5.0 ★★★★★ (1 review)

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Credit: Alex Krentsel, Google Maps

Location: Wildcat Peak Trail Berkeley CA

Web Address:   https://berkeleyrotary.org/berkeley-rotary-peace-grove-home.php

42. Oursan Trail

4.0 ★★★★☆ (1 review)

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Credit: Chan Rick, Google Maps

41. Albany Hill

5.0 ★★★★★ (2 reviews)

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Credit: Pi.1415926535, License, Wikimedia commons

40. Cerrito Creek

4.5 ★★★★★ (2 reviews)

800px-baxtercreek2

Credit: Coro, License, Wikimedia commons

39. Pinole Creek

4.0 ★★★★☆ (3 reviews)

38. Ohlone Greenway

4.4 ★★★★☆ (5 reviews)

800px-ohlone greenway and r-line viaduct %282%29%2c july 2020

Credit: Pi.1415926535, License, Wikimedia commons

37. Jewel Lake

4.2 ★★★★☆ (6 reviews)

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Credit: Hamish Reid, Google Maps

36. Briones Reservoir

4.8 ★★★★★ (14 reviews)

35. San Pablo Reservoir Oaks Picnic Area

4.4 ★★★★☆ (20 reviews)

Af1qipnojwxn0j4omyvhg4etkjtum8pnyhsu05hvanga=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Cecilia Knapp, Google Maps

Location: 7301 San Pablo Dam Road El Sobrante CA

Tel:  510 223 1661

Web Address:   http://rockymountainrec.com/lake-facilities/listing/san-pablo-reservoir

34. Tilden Nature Area Environmental Education Center

4.9 ★★★★★ (36 reviews)

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Credit: Eugene Y, Google Maps

Location: 600 Canon Dr Berkeley CA

Tel:  510 544 2233

Web Address:   http://ebparks.org/parks/tilden/

33. Mortar Rock Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (54 reviews)

Location: Berkeley CA

Tel:  510 981 6637

Web Address:   http://ci.berkeley.ca.us/ContentDisplay.aspx

32. Albany Waterfront Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ (59 reviews)

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Credit: Mehmet ILHAN, Google Maps

Location: 1 Buchanan Street Albany CA

31. Albany State Marine Reserve

4.7 ★★★★★ (64 reviews)

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Credit: Uira Caetano, Google Maps

Location: 1 Buchanan Street Albany CA

Tel:  916 653 6995

Web Address:   https://parks.ca.gov/

30. Grizzly Peak

4.8 ★★★★★ (90 reviews)

29. Briones Overlook Staging Area

4.5 ★★★★★ (90 reviews)

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Credit: Wutor Kwame, Google Maps

Location: Orinda CA

28. John Hinkel Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (111 reviews)

Location: 41 Somerset Pl Berkeley CA

Tel:  510 649 5999

Web Address:   http://ci.berkeley.ca.us/Parks_Rec_Waterfront/Trees_Parks/Parks__John_Hinkel_Park.aspx

27. Jewel’s Terrace Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (122 reviews)

Location: 1548 Terrace Street Albany CA

Tel:  510 524 9283

Web Address:   http://albanyca.org/

26. Ocean View Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ (158 reviews)

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Credit: Sandeep Kolte, Google Maps

Location: 900 Buchanan Street Albany CA

Tel:  510 524 9283

Web Address:   https://albanyca.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/68/1670

25. Blake Garden UC Berkeley

4.8 ★★★★★ (167 reviews)

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Credit: Joel M. Guenther, Google Maps

Location: 70 Rincon Road Kensington CA

Tel:  510 524 2449

24. Siesta Valley Recreation Area

4.6 ★★★★★ (175 reviews)

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Credit: Cris Vasconcelos, Google Maps

Location: 100 California Shakespeare Theater Way Orinda CA

Web Address:   http://ebmud.com/recreation/east-bay/east-bay-trails/

23. Tassajara Park

4.5 ★★★★★ (176 reviews)

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Credit: Yael Anava, Google Maps

Location: 2575 Tassajara Ave El Cerrito CA

Tel:  510 559 7000

Web Address:   http://el-cerrito.org/facilities/Facility/Details/15

22. Arlington Park & Clubhouse

4.7 ★★★★★ (227 reviews)

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Credit: Arlington Park & Clubhouse, Google Maps

Location: 1120 Arlington Blvd El Cerrito CA

Tel:  510 559 7000

Web Address:   http://el-cerrito.org/facilities/facility/details/Arlington-Park–Clubhouse-2

21. Pinole Valley Park

4.5 ★★★★★ (268 reviews)

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Credit: Mike McFarren, Google Maps

Location: 1270 Adobe Road Pinole CA

Tel:  510 724 9062

20. Pinole Shores Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (274 reviews)

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Credit: Tom Y, Google Maps

Location: Pinole Shores Dr Pinole CA

Tel:  888 327 2757

Web Address:   http://ebparks.org/parks/pt_pinole

19. Albany Beach

4.5 ★★★★★ (282 reviews)

Web Address:   http://albanyca.org/index.aspx

18. Cerrito Vista Park

4.5 ★★★★★ (356 reviews)

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Credit: TJ Gehling, License, Flickr

Location: 7007 Moeser Ln El Cerrito CA

17. Albany Hill Park

4.5 ★★★★★ (366 reviews)

Location: Taft Street Albany CA

Tel:  510 524 9283

Web Address:   http://albanyca.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/56/1670

16. Memorial Park

4.5 ★★★★★ (433 reviews)

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Credit: TJ Gehling, License, Flickr

Location: 1325 Portland Ave Albany CA

Tel:  510 524 9283

Web Address:   https://albanyca.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/4/1670

15. Nicholl Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ (491 reviews)

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Credit: Judy S, Google Maps

Location: 3230 Macdonald Ave Richmond CA

Tel:  510 620 6793

Web Address:   http://ci.richmond.ca.us/

14. Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area

4.7 ★★★★★ (535 reviews)

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Credit: Nizar Nassar, Google Maps

Location: 6531 San Pablo Dam Road El Sobrante CA

Tel:  888 327 2757

Web Address:   http://ebparks.org/parks/kennedy

13. Alvarado Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (541 reviews)

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Credit: Maxim Karanja, Google Maps

Location: 5755 McBryde Ave Richmond CA

Tel:  510 544 3092

Web Address:   http://ebparks.org/parks/wildcat

12. Inspiration Point

4.6 ★★★★★ (554 reviews)

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Credit: Brandon Baldwin, Google Maps

Location: Wildcat Canyon Road Orinda CA

Tel:  888 327 2757

Web Address:   http://ebparks.org/parks/tilden

11. Redwood Valley Railway (Tilden Steam Train)

4.9 ★★★★★ (869 reviews)

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Credit: Redwood Valley Railway (Tilden Steam Train), Google Maps

Location: 2481 Grizzly Peak Blvd Orinda CA

Tel:  510 548 6100

Web Address:   https://redwood-valley-railway.business.site/

10. McLaughlin Eastshore State Seashore

4.4 ★★★★☆ (1,773 reviews)

Location: Berkeley CA

Tel:  888 327 2757

Web Address:   http://ebparks.org/parks/eastshore#about

Our Top picks

9. Wildcat Creek

4.5 ★★★★★ (2 reviews)

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Credit: TJ Gehling, License, Flickr

8. Hillside Natural Area

4.6 ★★★★★ (210 reviews)

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Credit: Becky Matsubara, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 7501 Schmidt Ln El Cerrito CA

7. Regional Parks Botanic Garden

4.8 ★★★★★ (327 reviews)

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Credit: Jason Fuentes, Google Maps

Location: 1550 Wildcat Canyon Road Berkeley CA

Tel:  510 544 3169

Web Address:   http://nativeplants.org/

6. San Pablo Reservoir

4.5 ★★★★★ (657 reviews)

Location: 7301 San Pablo Dam Road El Sobrante CA

Tel:  510 223 1661

Web Address:   https://ebmud.com/recreation/east-bay/san-pablo-reservoir

5. Wildcat Canyon Regional Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (1,087 reviews)

Location: 5755 McBryde Ave Richmond CA

Tel:  888 327 2757

Web Address:   http://ebparks.org/parks/wildcat

4. Indian Rock Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (1,253 reviews)

Location: 950 n Rock Ave Berkeley CA

Tel:  510 981 6637

Web Address:   http://ci.berkeley.ca.us/Parks_Rec_Waterfront/Trees_Parks/Parks__Indian_Rock_Park.aspx

3. Tilden Nature Area

4.8 ★★★★★ (1,313 reviews)

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Credit: A. Lem, Google Maps

Location: 600 Canon Dr Berkeley CA

Tel:  510 544 2233

Web Address:   http://ebparks.org/parks/tilden

2. Point Isabel Regional Shoreline

4.8 ★★★★★ (1,749 reviews)

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Credit: Swedg, License, Flickr

Location: 2701 Isabel Street Richmond CA

Tel:  888 327 2757

Web Address:   http://ebparks.org/parks/pt_isabel

1. Tilden Regional Park

4.8 ★★★★★ (3,394 reviews)

Location: 2501 Grizzly Peak Blvd Orinda CA

Tel:  510 544 2747

Web Address:   http://ebparks.org/parks/tilden

Final Words:

Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in El Cerrito, California! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!

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