HomeCaliforniaOakland › Temescal Regional Recreation Area

Temescal Regional Recreation Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,391 Google reviews · Running trail in Oakland, California · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Temescal Regional Recreation Area's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

PavedLoopScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADAHillyRestroomsWaterTrailhead parking

Urban, lakeside retreat offering swim & picnic areas, a fishing dock, trails & playgrounds.

What runners say about Temescal Regional Recreation Area

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (1,391 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 5 mentions

“Beautiful place great to walk or have a picnic, please love the places you go and respect them clean after yourself.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 10 mentions

“Beautiful place great to walk or have a picnic, please love the places you go and respect them clean after yourself.”

Nice small park with a lake. Lake Temescal is small. The trail is flat and easy. You can walk around the lake easily under an hour. There’s plenty of picnic tables, grass areas, and fishing spots. There are two playgrounds located at each entrance. It’s a nice gem in Rockridge area.

★★★★★ — Thomas , Jun 2024

Not crowded, scenic oak forest and lake, with walking paths, children's play area, ample parking, picnic areas, fishing pier, a small short creek and even a seasonal beach for swimming. A few redwood trees, also.

★★★★★ — Stan , Jan 2022

Good park with a short loop trail along the lake. Some parts of the trail are paved and some are not but easy to walk. Bunch of picnic tables and grills for picnic. Restrooms were not super clean.

★★★★☆ — Neha , Jul 2022

I love the this area, u can go swimming, hiking trails are awesome, there is a beach house that is great for venues and u can either have them help plan and cater your event or u can bring your own food either way its a great space with a great view and lots to do for kids, dogs, couples and family's

★★★★★ — Lea , Aug 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 1,391 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🅿️ Trailhead parking 13 mentions

“Parking is available, it is dog friendly and there are places to BBQ.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 12 mentions

“Beautiful place great to walk or have a picnic, please love the places you go and respect them clean after yourself.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible 7 mentions

“Easily accessible and fun park with a sand beach and swim area mid-way.”

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🚻 Restrooms 6 mentions

“Bathrooms, two different parking lots, side street access.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 6 mentions

“Parking is available, it is dog friendly and there are places to BBQ.”

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🔁 Loop trail 4 mentions

“The loop takes less than 40 minutes, and you’ll spot plenty of people fishing along the way!”

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🛣️ Paved surface 3 mentions

“I jogged the perimeter, half is nice and paved hills, the other half has a rugged gravel to make it a good struggle.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 3 mentions

“I jogged the perimeter, half is nice and paved hills, the other half has a rugged gravel to make it a good struggle.”

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🚰 Water fountains

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Plan your run at Temescal Regional Recreation Area

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websiteebparks.org
  • Phone+1 888-327-2757
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 8 am–10 pm
Tuesday 8 am–10 pm
Wednesday 8 am–10 pm
Thursday 8 am–10 pm
Friday 8 am–10 pm
Saturday 8 am–10 pm
Sunday 8 am–10 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Temescal Regional Recreation Area

6500 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94618

Get directions

Running trails near Oakland

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Garber Park

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Berkeley, CA

LoopShadedScenic

Recreation area with a mile-long foot trail that loops through 13 acres of forest.

1.0 miles away

Stonewall-Panoramic Trail

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Hiking trails with panoramas, plus tree-lined stretches offering shade.

1.2 miles away

Claremont Fire Trail

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Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 496 reviews

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LoopNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

208-acre preserve with hiking & equestrian trails, plus views of nearby cities & San Francisco Bay.

1.3 miles away

Clark Kerr Fire Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 60 reviews

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Scenic trail with a steep climb & panoramic views over the bay.

1.4 miles away

Dracena Quarry Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 418 reviews

Piedmont, CA

ScenicDog-friendly

Formerly a rock quarry, this 8-acre park features a large lawn, playground, dog run & climbing wall.

1.5 miles away

All running trails in Oakland, CA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.