Tilden Topoff

Hiking Tilden Regional Park in the East Bay

06.15.2017

With a name like Seaview Trail, expectations run high. And this 3.5-mile loop in Tilden Regional Park delivers. You won’t have to find the viewpoints; they find you … in abundant panoramas.

Starting from Inspiration Point, take Seaview Trail, cross Wildcat Canyon Road, and continue on Seaview for a steady ascent past eucalyptus trees and up to the highlight: 360-degree views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate, and the East Bay hills.

Benches along the way mark perfect points for contemplation. Return along the Upper Big Springs Trail and then Lower Big Springs Trail.

Bonus Food & Drink: Five miles down the road in northwest Berkeley, stop by Bartavelle Coffee & Wine Bar. Nestled next to Kermit Lynch and Acme Bread Co., the coffee shop has a small outdoor patio, as well as some of the bay's best avocado toast, served on Acme’s pain au levain. Try it with an olive oil egg; it comes nearly hard-boiled with Pacific Sun olive oil, lemon, Celtic Sea Salt, and marash pepper.

Inspiration Point is located in Tilden Regional Park at Wildcat Canyon Rd., Orinda. Bartavelle Coffee & Wine Bar is located at 1603 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. Free parking at both. Both the hike and patio at Bartavelle are dog-friendly!

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