Accessible Trail: Yes (paved asphalt & optional compacted earth )
Mileage: 0.9 miles one-way (1.8 miles round trip). Optional Additional 0.4 miles one-way (0.8 miles round trip).
Long before the Bay Area was the bustling metropolis we see today, the East Bay hillsides were covered in Coast Redwoods. Although these majestic trees are more commonly found closer to the coast, fog-laden winds blowing through the Golden Gate are channeled into the linear valleys within the Oakland Hills, creating the perfect conditions for them in the East Bay. They thrived here for thousands of years, stretching from Hayward in the South to Moraga in the East. Redwood Regional Park is home to the largest remaining stand of Coastal Redwood in the East Bay.
During the 18th and 19th centuries these trees were used as a navigational tool, helping to guide ships into San Francisco Bay. The discovery of gold in 1848 brought many more people into the Bay Area, and with them the need for lumber. The old growths forests were logged to accommodate the growth in the area, helping to develop the region into the most important city on the west coast. Fifty years later, in the aftermath of the 1906 earthquake, the second growth redwoods were used to rebuild. Now, after more than 100 years since the last logging operations in the area, the third-growth trees are once again thriving.
To enjoy these peaceful giants, head east out of the flatlands and into the hills along Redwood Road. Enter the park from the Redwood Gate and follow the park road until it ends at the Canyon Meadow Staging Area. The Stream Trail will be the paved pathway at the southwest end of the parking lot; head west on this pathway. The pathway quickly shows you how it lives up to its name and hugs the bank of Redwood Creek. The creek is critical habitat for many species, including the California Newt and Rainbow Trout. In fact, Redwood Creek is the primary spawning and rearing grounds for the population of Rainbow Trout that was first used to differentiate the species in 1885.
A quarter mile down the pathway, you'll pass a playground area. From there, the trail leads you over a bridge, out of the direct sunlight and into the cool shade of the Redwoods. Rays of sunshine that have made their way through the branches of the redwoods will lead you through the trees. As you continue along the pathway, keep your eye out for rare animals such as the Golden Eagle and the Alameda Striped Racer. Deer are a common sighting wandering through the hillside underbrush.
In the wintertime, from November to February, the park is home to another special event. At first glance, you may seem some sort of clumps forming on the ferns and huckleberry bushes. Take a closer look and you'll see that these clumps are actually large gatherings of ladybugs. Redwood Regional Park is an ancestral hibernation ground for these friends of the gardener, where they wait out the cold season in their winter aggregations.
The paved pathway continues, offering creekside views. The pavement ends in about half a mile; the pathway continues, however, though this time it is compacted earth. If you're up to it, the compacted earth continues along the creek for another 0.4 miles before it becomes difficult to accessibly navigate. As you make your way back to the parking lot, enjoy the return view as you wander through the redwood forest.
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