Accessible Trail: Yes (Paved Asphalt & Compacted Soil)
Mileage: 0.5 miles each way (1.0 miles total) on paved path, additional .25 miles on compacted soil
Often times the most beautiful places can be found in unlikely settings. Located at the junction of two freeways, Lake Temescal is one such place. Temescal creek was dammed in 1869 and provided the City of Oakland with its drinking water. The city soon outgrew the small reservoir and now the lake provides many recreation opportunities for the community including hiking, fishing, and swimming.
As up you wind your way up Broadway, be careful not to accidentally end up back Highway 24 heading East. The freeway entrances can be hard to avoid, but after successfully navigating past them take a right off Broadway and pull in to the park's North Entrance. Follow the paved pathway through the large lawn and picnic area. You'll quickly hit the paved Dam Trail that offers views of the entire lake.
After you've take a moment to enjoy the lake view, head left along the path. You'll walk past a lawn area with many picnic tables - a great place to eat lunch when you're done with your walk. As you near the end of the lawn, look to the right for the East Shore Trail leading you to the swim beach and the Beach House. This historic building was built in 1940 and includes a lovely waterfall and flower garden.
Continue past the Beach House and soon you'll come to an accessible picnic area and fishing dock. If you brought your poles with you, be sure to pay the daily East Bay Regional Park District license fee before dropping your line in the water. If not, continue down the paved pathway admiring the views of the lake, the ducks paddling in its water and the lovely plants along its banks.
You'll soon come to another large lawn area, with many picnic benches for your enjoyment. This would be a great place to enjoy a snack before heading back on the paved trail. However, if you're feeling up to it (and your equipped for a compacted earth trail), continue following the paved pathway until you meet the West Shore Trail.
In contrast to the paved East Shore Trail, the West Shore Trail offers a compacted earth surface that is mostly shaded. Redwood trees lead you down the path along Temscal Creek and quickly you'll come to a picturesque bridge. Continue past the bridge, hugging the shore. In the shade of the trees lining the lake, there are many water irises that bloom bright yellow - a beautiful pop of color among greens and blues of the water and trees.
In time you'll come to another fishing dock. At this point the trail begins to narrow and isn't as accessible. We would eventually run in to a staircase that would obstruct our path, so returning along our original path at the fishing dock is recommended. On the return trip be sure to ask any anglers you've passed if they've had any luck!
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