Accessible Path: Yes (paved, asphalt)
Mileage: Up to 4 miles of pathway one way (Up to 8 miles total)
Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley, CA is a place where you can easily lose track of time. Its many fine features, including a botanic garden, native plant nursery, petting zoo, merry-go-round, steam train and golf course, make this park a recreational wonderland. In contrast to the more marquee attractions in the park, Nimitz Way wanders humbly along the top of the hillside, offering some of the best views of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Nimitz Way is more than just a paved trail atop the Berkeley Hills; it's also part of the Anza Historic Trail (which begins in Arizona), the East Bay Skyline National Trail and the Bay Area Ridge Trail. With its inclusion in so many trail systems, you would think that there would be a lot of traffic along the pathway. Due to the more centrally located attractions, however, Nimitz Way is the overlooked gem of Tilden Regional Park.
Begin your scenic walk at Inspiration Point, a parking and viewing area sitting along Wildcat Canyon Road. The view from this area offers inspiring vistas of the East Bay Hills; the best, however, is yet to come.
A stone trail marker at the West end of the parking lot signals the beginning of Nimitz Way. the walk starts with a slight uphill and soon wraps its way around the hillside to the East. As you veer right with the trail, you're treated to views of San Pablo Reservoir and Mount Diablo. If you look closely, behind San Pablo Reservoir you'll notice another blue dot in a sea of gold and green: Briones Reservoir.
Continue making your way though the pine trees and coastal scrub and your gaze will eventually turn to the West. As the rolling, tree-covered hills unfold in front of you, your eye is quickly drawn to one of the best views in the Bay Area.
Mount Tamalpais, one of the Bay Area's most recognizable peaks, rises steeply from the water of the Bay. To the left of Tamalpais, the Golden Gate Bridge will come in to view, leading you to the San Francisco skyline. Stay and enjoy this great view as long as time permits - it is truly spectacular.
Soon the trail will again lead you back to the right, eventually arriving at a grove of Redwoods. By now you've made your way about 1.25 miles along Nimitz Way's 4 miles of paved trail. Depending on how you're feeling, continue making your way along the pathway, hugging the hilltop and gazing out across the Bay Area. When you're ready, turn around and head back toward Inspiration Point, enjoying the views of the hills, peaks, reservoirs and the bay as you do.
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