Lake Chabot

Anthony Chabot Regional Park or Lake Chabot, as those of us who are long time residents of Castro Valley like to call it - is one of the best guarded secrets of our community. Although the park traverses numerous East Bay cities the Castro Valley entrance on Lake Chabot Road provides a quick transition from city to mountain hideaway in just a short drive from any location within Castro Valley. Considering our population it is amazing the isolation one can achieve with just a short stroll down either side of the picturesque lake.

Lake Chabot Hiking Trails (East Side 10K)
If you want to try a 10K (6.21 mile) run or walk, this is a great one. You may park on the street or down in the lot for a fee. After you enter the park off Lake Chabot Road, head toward the East side (to the right) of the lake. At a four way intersection you will see a sign board with a map and park information. This is the starting point for your walk/run. Head downhill across a small bridge with a small par course on the right. Make a left and continue past a small duck pond on the left and then past a road heading toward the marina (you stay straight). Continue on this paved road for several miles. The lake on your left surrounded by local flora and fauna -- is beautiful.

After approximately 1.7 miles the paved road ends at a large metal gate. Many people stop at this point and head back. If you can keep going you will see the remote areas of the trip. Keep going past the gate (you are now on the Cameron Loop Trail) until you see a great old bridge on the left. Once across the bridge, your surroundings change and you seem to be in some isolated area totally outside of the city. The road is dirt and easy to follow. You will quickly arrive at a four way junction - stay to the left on Honker Bay Trail. The next marker will be the junction with Huck’s Trail (a toilet is available on the left). You are almost
there -- keep following the trail and you will come to a small boat dock where the trail heads right up a very steep hill to the right. This is the 3.1 mile spot or half of a 10K.

Stop at the dock and look across at the East Shore and the area already traveled -- it seems a lot longer from this side. After a short rest head back to complete your full 10K (6.3 mile) trek.

Castro Valley Community Center: Castro Valley Community Center, 18988 Lake Chabot Road, Castro Valley, is an all purpose park located on a wide expanse of land that covers a multiple block area from Seven Hills Road to Lake Chabot Road. It is not only a green hideaway in the city but a focal point for numerous activities. The Chanticleers Theater calls the park its home -- offering year around plays at reasonable prices. The Community Center itself faces Lake Chabot Road and schedules events and activities throughout the year. In addition you can enjoy the picnic facilities, barbecues, play areas, parking, tennis courts, basketball court, horseshoe courts, softball field and even a snack bar. For additional information please call 881-6700.

San Lorenzo Community Center Park: Located at 1970 Via Buena Vista in San Lorenzo, the San Lorenzo Community Center Park has a community center building with meeting rooms, a snack bar, picnic tables, and BBQ's, hiking and riding trails and a par course, basketball courts and soccer fields, a dog park, and a duck pond.

Earl Warren Park: located at 4660 Crow Canyon, Castro Valley, Earl Warren Park provides a pleasant relief within ear shot of freeways and major thorough fares. It is used by several dog clubs for shows and meetings and is a favorite dog walking area for the locals. It has picnic tables, barbecues, play area, parking lot, rest rooms and open lawn area.

Carlos Bee Park: Carlos Bee Park might be considered on the cusp of Castro Valley. It is located at 1905 Grove Way, Castro Valley. It has one of the most picturesque entries of any of our parks. Once past the secluded entry way, one more local park becomes available. It has picnic tables, group picnic area, barbecues and a play area.

Deerview Park: Deerview Park was constructed to provide a park and recreational area for the new Columbia Developments. The park is located at 5780 Thousand Oaks, Castro Valley. There is a swimming pool attached to the park but sorry, it is for members only. The park has picnic tables, picnic areas, barbecues, basketball courts and a par course.

Mervin Morris Park: Named after the founder of the Mervyn's department store chain, Mervin Morris Park is located at the corner of Nielson and Grant (across from Arroyo High School) in San Lorenzo. The park hosts a skate park, a play structure with a tube slide, and is home to the San Lorenzo Little League.

Cherryland Park: Located at 198 Grove Way, Hayward near Meekland Avenue, Cherryland Park is a four acre park with picnic tables, barbecues, a play area, basketball courts, horseshoe courts, and a skate area.

Del Rey Park: Located at Bockman Road and Channel Street in San Lorenzo, Del Rey Park has picnic tables, barbecues, a play area, and an open lawn area.

Bay Trees: Bay Trees Park provides one of the best locations for a quick tennis match in the Bay Area. I guess it is overlooked by many because of its diminutive size, but for Castro Valley residents who love tennis it is the place for a quick match or friendly volley any time of the week. Although small, the park is not without amenities. Bay Tees includes picnic tables, barbecues, a group picnic area, restrooms, parking lot and of course 6 tennis courts. Located at 19885 Cull Canyon Road, Castro Valley (across from the Fire House near the intersection of Heyer Avenue and Cull Canyon Road).

Willow Park Golf Course: Willow Park Golf Course is located off upper Redwood Road in Castro Valley (17007 Redwood Road). If you drive up past Proctor school on the right and head into the hills and about a half mile more you will see Willow Park on the left. The facility features a restaurant, snack bar, cart rentals, driving range and a beautiful surrounding. It is open from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Please call 510-537-8989 for additional information.

Adobe Art Center: The Adobe Art Center at 20395 San Miguel Ave, Castro Valley, has been open for 25 years. It is a focal point for Castro Valley and local community artists. The center provides workshops classes and a show case for bay area artists. The building was constructed during the depression by the Works Progress Administrations (WPA) with adobe bricks from the area. The exhibits change throughout the year. Please call 510-881-6735 for additional information.

Kenneth C. Aitken Senior & Community Center: The Senior & Community Center is a special resource for Castro Valley. One of our newer structures, the facility is available for rent and is used by numerous clubs in Castro Valley. Located at 17800 Redwood Road, Castro Valley, it provides picnic tables, play areas and the community center building. Call 881-6700 for rental information.

Castro Valley Center for the Arts - 19501 Redwood Road, Castro Valley, CA 94546

Castro Valley High School Swim Center- The Swim Center is located at 19500 Santa Maria Avenue.

Other Community Parks:

Arroyo High School Swim Center
15701 Lorenzo, San Lorenzo 94580

Edendale Park
16278 Ashland, San Lorenzo 94580

Fairmont Terrace Park
Berkshire and Manchester, San Lorenzo 94580

Hesperian Park
620 Drew, San Lorenzo 94580

Mc Conaghy Park 
18701 Hesperian, San Lorenzo 94580

Ashland Park
1530-167th, San Leandro 94578

Meek Park
Boston and Hampton, Hayward 94541

Greenridge Park
6108 Greenridge, Castro Valley

Laurel Park
2652 Vergil, Castro Valley

Palomares Hills Park
7050 Villareal, Castro Valley