Tired of circling parking lots while the morning fog lifts over the Berkeley Hills? You’re not alone. Tilden Regional Park draws thousands of visitors every weekend, and parking especially near Lake Anza and Inspiration Point can eat into your adventure before it even starts. The good news: getting to Tilden Regional Park by bus is easier than most people think, and in many ways, it makes for a better experience. No parking stress, no circling narrow hillside roads, and no scramble to beat the crowds to a spot.
This Tilden Regional Park guide walks you through exactly how to reach one of the East Bay’s most beloved natural escapes using public transit and everything you’ll want to do once you’re there.
What Is Tilden Regional Park?
Tilden Regional Park is a sprawling 2,079-acre public park tucked into the Berkeley Hills, part of the East Bay Regional Park District. One of the District’s three original parks, established in 1936, it has become one of the most visited outdoor destinations in the San Francisco Bay Area. The park sits between the Berkeley Hills and San Pablo Ridge, with its main entrance accessible from Kensington, Berkeley, and Richmond.
Named after Charles Lee Tilden, the Bay Area attorney and businessman who served on the East Bay Regional Park District’s first Board of Directors, the park has a rich history and remarkable variety. Over 39 miles of trails wind through eucalyptus groves, open meadows, redwood stands, and oak woodlands. Elevations climb past 1,900 feet at Vollmer Peak, delivering panoramic Bay Area views that stretch to the Golden Gate Bridge and Mount Diablo on clear days.
Whether you’re a solo hiker, a family looking for a half-day outing, or a Bay Area local searching for a weekend escape, Tilden Regional Park has something worth making the trip for.
Getting to Tilden Regional Park by Bus: Your Complete Transit Guide
AC Transit Route 67: The Primary Tilden Park Bus Service
The cornerstone of Tilden Regional Park bus service is AC Transit Route 67, which connects Downtown Berkeley BART Station directly to the park. This is the most convenient and reliable transit option for most Bay Area visitors.
Key Details for Route 67:
- Departure point: Downtown Berkeley BART Station (Shattuck Avenue side)
- Days of operation: Weekends and holidays (the primary service window for leisure visitors)
- Frequency: Approximately every 45 minutes
- Key stops within the park: Grizzly Peak Boulevard (near the Botanic Garden, Brazilian Room, and Tilden Park Golf Course) and Central Park Drive (near Lake Anza and the Merry-Go-Round)
Important tip: The last bus back to Berkeley typically departs from the park’s main areas around 6:00 PM on weekends. Plan your day around this; missing the last bus means a very long walk down the hill or waiting for another option.
AC Transit Route 65: Secondary Bus Option
Route 65 provides additional connectivity, stopping near Grizzly Peak Boulevard and Shasta Road, which is approximately a 7-minute walk from key park destinations. This bus operates more broadly around the Berkeley and Oakland hills. Check the 511.org transit planner or the AC Transit app for current schedules, as routes and timings do update seasonally.
Getting There from San Francisco
Traveling from San Francisco to Tilden Regional Park without a car is very doable:
- Take BART from any San Francisco station toward the Richmond or Fremont lines
- Exit at Downtown Berkeley BART (the closest station, about 18 minutes on foot to the park, or connect directly to the bus)
- Board AC Transit Route 67 toward Tilden Park
- Total transit time from San Francisco: approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, including transfers
The fare is typically $3–$7, depending on your starting BART station, making it one of the most affordable ways to spend a day in nature in the Bay Area.
Plan Your Transit Trip Like a Pro
- Use 511.org or the AC Transit app to check real-time schedules before heading out
- Download the Moovit or Transit apps as backup; both offer live arrival alerts and walking directions from the bus stop to park attractions
- Arrive at Downtown Berkeley BART a few minutes before your intended departure to account for any minor delays
- Keep cash or a Clipper card loaded; contactless payment is accepted on AC Transit
Top Things to Do at Tilden Regional Park
Once you step off the bus and into the Berkeley Hills, a full day of exploration awaits. Here’s what to prioritize on your Tilden Regional Park tour.
1. Hike to Inspiration Point and Nimitz Way
One of the park’s most iconic features, Inspiration Point is a scenic overlook accessible from Wildcat Canyon Road with views stretching to the Carquinez Strait and Briones Reservoir. From here, Nimitz Way is a paved, mostly flat 4-mile trail that heads north along San Pablo Ridge, offering sweeping views of San Francisco Bay. It’s beloved by families with strollers, cyclists, trail runners, and anyone who wants spectacular Bay Area vistas without technical terrain.
2. Swim at Lake Anza
Lake Anza is Tilden’s beloved swimming hole, a scenic reservoir with a sandy beach (sand imported from Monterey, no less) and lifeguards on duty during the summer season. The Lake Anza swim area typically opens in mid-May and runs through early fall. Year-round, the 1.3-mile loop around the lake makes for a peaceful walk through manzanitas, bigleaf maples, and eucalyptus groves. Fishing is also permitted with a valid California state fishing license for visitors 16 and older.
3. Visit the Regional Parks Botanic Garden
Free to enter, the Regional Parks Botanic Garden covers 10 acres and showcases over 3,000 species and subspecies of California native plants. Established in 1940, it’s organized by regions of California from the Channel Islands to the Sierra Nevada, and is a quiet, aromatic escape that rewards a stroll. It sits near the Shasta Road entrance and is easily accessible from the Route 67 bus stop.
4. Ride the Tilden Park Steam Train
A beloved Bay Area institution since 1952, the Redwood Valley Railway (also called the Tilden Park Steam Train) runs a 1.25-mile route through tall redwoods complete with a tunnel and two trestles. The 12-minute ride is a must for families with young children. It departs from the Lomas Cantadas entrance on Grizzly Peak Boulevard. Ask the driver when boarding the 67 bus for the closest stop.
5. Let the Kids Explore the Little Farm and Merry-Go-Round
The Little Farm (near the Canon Drive entrance) is free to visit and lets children get up close with goats, cows, chickens, and pigs. Next door, the Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round, a beautifully restored antique carousel originally built in 1911, is one of only four four-row classic carousels remaining in Northern California. Both attractions are within a short walk of the same bus stop.
6. Hike to Wildcat Peak and Jewel Lake
For a more immersive hike, the loop from the Environmental Education Center to Wildcat Peak via Jewel Lake is a scenic, moderately challenging circuit through a variety of ecosystems. The boardwalk trail to Jewel Lake in the Tilden Nature Area is particularly beloved for birdwatching and family-friendly exploration. The Tilden Nature Area spans 740 acres at the park’s north end and features more than 10 miles of trails.
7. Golf at Tilden Park Golf Course
The Tilden Park Golf Course is an 18-hole public course known for mature trees, narrow fairways, and demanding hillside terrain. It’s open to all skill levels and offers stunning views. Golf carts and a restaurant are available on-site.
Practical Visitor Tips for a Smooth Trip
Park hours: Open 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM unless otherwise posted.
What to bring: Water (drinking fountains are limited, especially at Inspiration Point), layers (Berkeley Hills fog can be dense in the morning, burning off by midday), sunscreen for open ridge trails, and sturdy footwear for any unpaved trails.
Dogs: Welcome on most trails. Dogs must be leashed in developed areas (picnic sites, near the Botanic Garden, and lawns) and may be off-leash under voice control in wider, undeveloped areas.
Seasonal notes: South Park Drive is closed to vehicle traffic November 1 – April 1 to protect migrating newts. The Memory Trail between Wildcat Canyon Road and Canon Drive is currently closed due to storm damage (as of May 2026). The Lake Anza swim area opens May 16, 2026, for the season.
Food: Tilden has limited food concessions. Pack a picnic; there are abundant picnic tables, many with BBQs. The Lake Anza Beach Club offers light food and coffee during the summer swim season.
Why Skip the Car and Take the Bus?
Beyond avoiding parking headaches, choosing Tilden Regional Park bus service has real benefits:
- No parking fees or scrambles on peak summer and weekend days when lots fill up fast
- Reduce your environmental footprint in one of the Bay Area’s most ecologically sensitive parks
- Arrive relaxed — let someone else navigate the winding Berkeley Hills roads
- More flexibility — you can enter and exit the park at different stops along Route 67, making it easier to customize your Tilden Regional Park tour without backtracking to a single parking spot
- Cost savings — a round-trip BART + bus fare is a fraction of what gas and parking can cost for a group driving from San Francisco
For larger groups, corporate outings, school field trips, or anyone wanting a fully managed experience, charter bus and group transportation services like ours providing door-to-door convenience with professional drivers who know the East Bay well.
Phoenix Transportation provides professional charter bus and group transportation services in Berkeley and throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Whether you’re organizing a group outing to Tilden Regional Park or planning a corporate event in the East Bay, we make getting there stress-free.
