Overview
Park Hours:
8am-10pm
8am-8pm (in winter months)
Gate Hours:
Nov. 1-Feb. 28: 8am-8pm
Mar. 1-Oct. 31: 8am-10pm
Swim Hours:
May 27 to Jun 11 - Weekends and Holidays Only
Jun 12 to Aug 18 - Open Daily (Mon–Sun)
Aug 19 to Sep 17 - Weekends and Holidays Only
11am to 6pm (water closes at 5:30pm)
Parking:
$5 weekends and holidays.
$4 per trailer.
Buses:
$25/per bus
Dogs:
$2 per dog. Guide/service dogs free
22400 Woodroe Avenue, Hayward, CA 94541
(510) 544-3073
Toll Free: 888-EBPARKS (888-327-2757), option 3, extension 4527
Park Activities
Swim Facility Dates at Don Castro
Open Weekends and Holidays (only) May 27- June 11
Open daily June 12 - August 18
Open Weekends and Holidays (only) August 19 - September 17
Plan in advance! Pre-register below for weekends and holidays. General information
NOTE: If capacity is reached, access to the swim lagoon closes for the day
Don Castro Regional Park is a 101-acre urban oasis on the boundary between Hayward and Castro Valley. The clear blue waters of the swim lagoon are a favorite with central Alameda County residents. The lagoon and adjacent lake were created in 1964 when the Alameda Flood Control and Water Conservation District dammed San Lorenzo Creek.
To Reach The Park
Maps
Park Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible restrooms, drinking water, and disabled parking are available in the park. There is a wheelchair accessible fishing dock near Siesta Picnic 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) 544-3073. 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.
Attractions
The lake, San Lorenzo Creek Reservoir, is maintained by Alameda County Public Works and is closed to boating, swimming, or any type of body contact (including dogs). Fishing is available year round and hikers along the shore will discover a surprising wilderness in miniature, where turtles and frogs splash in the water, ducks rest in the reeds and raccoons and deer come down to drink at sunset. There is access to the Bay Area Ridge Trail, the Chabot to Garin trail and over five miles of trails in the Five Canyons Open Space. The adjacent swim lagoon is supplied with water from EBMUD and is chlorinated and filtered. There is a large shallow area is roped off especially for children.
Swimming
Swimming in the lagoon is the park's main attraction. For operation hours, fees and service schedule, visit the Don Castro Swim Lagoon
Picnicking
Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, although some reservable group sites are available. There is a fee for reservable sites; for information call 1-888-327-2757, press option 2.
Fishing
Anglers along the lake may catch trout, bass, catfish, and bluegill. The lake is stocked regularly with trout and catfish. A California state fishing license is required for anglers age 16 or older. In addition, a daily District fishing permit is required and may be purchased through the swim kiosk and a self-registration fish permit envelope located at the swim complex entrance and by the bulletin board heading towards the fishing dock ($5.00 in exact change required; fee subject to change). State fish and game regulations apply.
Upcoming Events
