Features

If you’re looking for sports, Berkeley and the surrounding East Bay offer a host of opportunities. And while definitions of what constitutes a work-out vary—from just “a walk in the park” to a full blown adventure—there’s no end to the activities available near campus. 

Here’s a brief list of resources for newcomers and for those who have been here for a while but are just now gearing up to get off the couch. 

Cal Adventures 

Cal Adventures provides information, instruction, trips and rental equipment for students and the general public in the following activities: backpacking, snowshoeing, climbing, wilderness medicine, skateboarding, rafting, sailing, sea kayaking, swimming, boating, and windsurfing. 642-4000 or www.oski.org. 

East Bay Regional Parks 

The hills just above the campus are laced with miles of trails for hiking, running, horseback riding and mountain biking. Closest of the East Bay Parks to campus is Tilden, offering all of the above, plus swimming, fishing, rollerblading, and golfing. Wildcat Canyon and the Nimitz Way, both located within the park, provide some of the best trail activities and are easily accessible from the university. From the trailhead at Inspiration Point off Wildcat Canyon Road, the first two miles of Nimitz Wayare paved, making for an excellent, challenging course for rollerbladers and a smooth, car-less trail for bicyclists. It’s also the starting point for some wonderfully hilly mountain bike loops. Nearby Lake Anza features swimming and fishing, and Tilden Park Golf Course (848-7373), at the intersection of Grizzly Peak and Shasta Road, is an 18-hole course with driving range, putting green and teaching pro. 562-PARK or www.ebparks.org.  

Aquatic Park 

Frisbee Golf and Par Exercise courses are both available at this city park located on Bolivar Way at the foot of Bancroft Way, along with water skiing, canoeing, and rowing in the mile-long lagoon. This is the place to catch the Pedestrian Bike Bridge across I-80 to the Berkeley Marina and Cesar Chavez Park. 644-6530 or www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/parks/parkspages/aquaticpark. 

Cesar Chavez Park 

Located north of the west end of University Avenue, this former city dump (no kidding!) provides wonderful opportunities for strolling, biking, rollerblading, fishing and kiting. With beautiful views of San Francisco, Marin and the Golden Gate, this is a great place for easy workouts or just relaxing. The relatively flat, 1.25 mile trail around the perimeter of the park is a gentle, paved course for those who don’t want to work up too much of a sweat. The park is also a great place for Frisbee throwing, dog walking and picnicking. Just south of Cesar Chavez is the Berkeley Marina with more gorgeous views and a 3000-foot pier that juts out into the Bay.  

Berkeley Ironworks 

Believe it or not, the East Bay has a hosts of rock climbing opportunities, all located near campus. One of the very best resources available is Berkeley Ironworks at 800 Potter St. at Seventh Street. This indoor rock climbing gym provides 14,000 square feet of vertical and horizontal man-made walls, rental equipment, instruction and pro-shop. Open seven days a week, day use and memberships are available, as well as an extensive weight room, spinning and yoga classes and saunas. The folks behind the desk can dish out more information than anyone else on outdoor climbing opportunities, including top roping at Cragmont and urban bouldering at Indian Rock and under the freeway pass on Golden Gate Avenue. 981-9900 or www.touchstoneclimbing.com. 

Berkeley Iceland 

Located within walking distance of campus at 2727 Milvia St., this old-fashioned rink provides open skating, hockey, broomballl and lessons. Thursday night is College Night and it’s only $6 (including equipment) to skate between 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. 647-1620 or www.berkeleyiceland.com. 

Oakland Ice Center 

An easy BART ride from Downtown Berkeley, Oakland Ice Center is located just one block from the 19th Street BART Station at 519 18th St. Open skating, speed skating and pick-up hockey games are all available but hours of operation vary so call or check their website. 268-9000 or www.oaklandice.com.