Temescal Regional Recreation Area

• About The Park
• History
• Park Features
• Park Activities
• Park Video
• Park Accessibility
• To Reach The Park
• Trail Map
  

About The Park

Located next to the junction of highways 24 and 13 in Oakland, Temescal is a convenient urban oasis, popular for swimming, fishing, sunbathing, and picnicking. Watch a movie clip.

History

Originally constructed as a storage lake for drinking water, Temescal opened to the public in 1936 as one of the District's first three parks. The handsome stone building overlooking its lake was constructed in 1940 by Works Progress Administration crews.

Back to top

Park Features

Beach House

This historic indoor/outdoor facility is popular for weddings, parties, corporate events, etc. The setting is casual to elegant with a panoramic view of Lake Temescal. It accommodates 80 seated or 130 standing guests. It features a small food preparation room, two rooms connected into an L shape, a bridal changing room, and a patio surrounded by gardens. Catering is available. For more information call 1-888-EBPARKS OR 1-888-327-2757, press option 2.

This facility is wheelchair accessible.

Park Activities

Swimming

The swim area is open spring through fall, with lifeguards on duty during posted periods. Swimming is permitted only in the designated swim area. Dogs are not allowed in the lake and the beach. Swimming is also allowed at your own risk when lifeguards are not on duty when the park is open from April through October. There is a beach access fee. Call the park office (510) 652-1155 for details or visit the Swim Facilities page.

> Current Water Test Results

Back to top

Hiking

A paved trail running the length of the park is wheelchair accessible. STAY ON TRAILS to help control erosion and to minimize contact with poison oak, which is abundant. 

Fishing

The lake is stocked periodically with rainbow trout through the winter months and catfish in the summer. Other fish in residence include largemouth bass, red-eared sunfish, bluegill. Fishing is not allowed from the dam, in the swimming area, or in the stream.

Picnicking

There are picnic areas at both ends of the lake, several of them reservable for groups, and eight acres of lawn. There are vending machines with drinks and snacks located at the beach house.

Biking

Bicycle restrictions apply within the park. Please observe posted restrictions. Bicycles must stay on the paved East Shore Trail or on the paved bike path along the park's eastern boundary, and riders must observe the 5 mph speed limit. During the summer swim season (April-September) bicycles must be walked through the swim beach area.

Park Video

• Temescal Movie Clip (duration: 1 min 24 sec)

You can also save this movie to your computer in QuickTime format. If you don't have QuickTime, you may download QuickTime here.

Download Temescal Movie Clip (8.3 MB QuickTime movie)

Back to top

Park Accessibility

Reservable Picnic Areas

North Temescal, Stream Side, Park View and Big Rock have accessible drinking fountains and barbeques. Stream Side and Big Rock are accessible by compacted gravel pathway. North Temescal and Park View are not wheelchair accessible.

Trails

Landvale Station Trail and East Shore Trail are wheelchair accessible. East Shore Trail has an accessible drinking fountain. West Shore Trail and Oak Bay Trail are not wheelchair accessible.

Dam Trail Accessibility Report: Download PDF format | Download Word format

Back to top

Restrooms

All restrooms are wheelchair accessible.

Swim Area

Beach wheelchairs, intended to provide a means for wheelchair users to travel across the beach, are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. They require an assistant to push and are not intended to enter the water. To arrange for use of a chair, call the park office at (510) 652-1155. Arrangements will be made to bring the chair out to the beach. It takes approximately 15 minutes to prepare the chair. Staff will give a brief orientation to the chair and arrange a time for the chair to be returned.

Beach House

This facility is wheelchair accessible.

Fishing Dock

The wheelchair accessible fishing dock and picnic table are located on East Shore Trail.

Playgrounds

The south playground and drinking fountain are wheelchair accessible. The north playground has no wheelchair access.

Back to top

To Reach The Park

Temescal is located next to the Highway 24/Highway 13 interchange in Oakland. Ample parking is available at the north end of the park, accessible from Broadway. Limited parking is available at the south end, accessible from Broadway Terrace. To reach the larger north end lot from the south end, drive east on Broadway Terr., go under Highway 13 and turn left onto the Highway 13 on ramp. Transition onto Highway 24 east (Walnut Creek), exit at Old Tunnel Road, and turn right at the exit onto Broadway and proceed west to the north end parking lot entrance on the left.

Public Transit

Take AC Transit bus #59 from the 19th Street BART station or the Lake Merritt BART station to the south end entrance on Broadway Terrace. Call to confirm bus schedule--AC Transit: 511 or 817-1717; TDD/TTY: 800-448-9790; website: www.transit.511.org; ParaTransit: 510-287-5000.

Transit & Trails: Temescal Regional Recreation Area (transit, biking, and walking directions)

Back to top

Trail Map

Click the map image below to see an enlarged version.

Back to top

'Full Expand' icon >

When the 'Actual Size' map is viewable, you can 'Click-Hold and Drag' the mouse button (left on a PC) to reposition the map, as desired.

'Single-Click' on the 'Enlarged' or 'Actual Size' map to return to the park page.

Back to top

Park Info

Address

6500 Broadway and
6502 Broadway Terrace
Oakland, CA 94618

Download Brochure

Phone Numbers

510-652-1155

Toll Free: 888-EBPARKS (888-327-2757), option 3, extension 4561

Local Weather

Weather Forecast

Movie Clip

Maps

View Trail Map

Download PDF Map

Yahoo Map

Transit & Trails

Panorama

Park Hours

Open between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. unless otherwise posted or permitted

Gate Hours
  8 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Park Events

Click HERE for upcoming events

Parking Fee

Apply April through October. $5 per vehicle (when kiosk is attended); $4 per trailered vehicle. Buses: $25/per bus.

Dog Fee

$2 per dog. Guide/service dogs free

Grazing Information

Grazing in the Parks

Beach Access Fee

Apply April through October, see the Swim Facilities page

Camping Reservations

No reservable campgrounds

Picnic Reservations

1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2

Emergency Number

911

EBRPD Headquarters

1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757