Don Castro Regional Recreation Area

Don Castro Regional Recreation Area

Hours

Parking Lot:
Mar.-Oct.: 8am-10pm  
Nov.-Feb.: 8am-8pm

Swim Facility:
Closed for the Season

Park Curfew: 
Park is closed from 10pm-5am unless otherwise posted or permitted.

Fees

Oct.-May: No fee collected  
June-Sept: Fees collected on weekends and holidays only
 
Parking:  
$5 per vehicle  
$4 per trailer  
$25 per bus

Dogs:  
$2 per dog. Guide/service dogs free
Notice: No Animals except ADA-trained service dogs in the swim area.

Address

22400 Woodroe Avenue, Hayward, CA 94541

Phone

(510) 544-3073
Toll Free: 888-EBPARKS (888-327-2757), option 3, extension 4527

Internet & Cellular Access

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Flooded Trail

Whispering Creek Trail between the foot bridge and the lake trail is flooded and will be closed until further notice.  Updated March 18, 2024.

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

    Park Accessibility

    Wheelchair accessible restrooms, drinking water, and disabled parking are available in the park.

    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.

    Public transit information.

    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). 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

    Some sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The park also has reservable group picnic areas, view our Don Castro Picnic Areas webpage for information. For additional information or to make a reservation, call 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2.

    Fishing

    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.