Don Castro Regional Recreation Area

• About The Park
• Park Features
• Park Activities
• Park Accessibility
• To Reach The Park
• Trail Map
• Park Map [PDF]

About The Park

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. 

Park Features

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.

Park Activities

Swimming

NOTICE: Swim lagoon CLOSED during COVID-19 pandemic. Swimming NOT permitted.

Swimming in the lagoon is the park's main attraction. There is a beach access fee - Adults $3, Children and Seniors $2. Swim hours are only available when lifeguards are on duty. For operation hours, fees and lifeguard service schedule, visit the Swim Facilities page. Organized groups planning to use the swim complex should call 1-888-327-2757, option 2, to notify park staff and to receive necessary facility information. There is a bathhouse, a vending machine, a sandy beach, and large lawn areas. Alcohol, glass containers, and dogs are not allowed in the swim complex. A beach wheelchair is available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.

Swim Facilities Capacity Notice
Once the swim facility capacity is reached, there will be no new entries allowed for the remainder of the day (or at the discretion of the Park Supervisor), for the safety of the public. Please take this into consideration when planning your visit. 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 Park District daily 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.

Wild Plant Guides

• Wildflower Photo Guide
• Wild Plant Photo Guide
• Don Castro: Calflora Plant List
• Don Castro: PlantID.net ID Guide

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.

Trail Accessibility Report

Fishing Lake Trail: Download PDF | Download MS Word

• Public transit information.

To Reach The Park

• By Car
  • From I-580 eastbound from San Leandro, take the Grove Way exit in Castro Valley; right at the exit onto Grove Way; left on Center Street; left on Kelly; and left on Woodroe to the park entrance.
  • From I-580 westbound take the Castro Valley exit and continue west on E. Castro Valley Blvd. to Grove Way; left on Grove; left on Center; left on Kelly; and left on Woodroe to the park entrance.
• Public Transit
  • From Hayward BART, take AC Transit Bus Number 95 to Kelly Street and Woodroe Avenue (Buses do not enter the Park. It is a 10-minute walk on Woodroe to the park). Buses run hourly on weekdays (every half hour during commute hours) and hourly on weekends. Telephone AC Transit to confirm bus schedule information: 817-1717 or see www.transit.511.org.

Trail Map

Click the map image below to see an enlarged version.

• Park Map [PDF]