Upcoming Hikes
Yard Art Hike #3
Sunday, April 12, 2026, 12 to 2:30 pm
Meet by the restrooms at the Castro Park Clubhouse, 1420 Norvell Street
Sunday, April 12, 2026, 12 to 2:30 pm
Meet by the restrooms at the Castro Park Clubhouse, 1420 Norvell Street
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The more you look the more you see! Third in a series featuring yard art and more. Our three mile-plus walk will meander from Castro Park to the Ohlone Greenway, then loop up to the neighborhood just below Motorcycle Hill. Highlights include recent murals, mysterious public art, a crocheted couch potato, and a visit to the intriguing home-based Two Cats Gallery.
Intrepid yard art aficionados Regina Gilligan, Laura Lent and Kim Luong will lead the hike. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water. (Dogs welcome on most of the walk but will have to bow out before our final stop at the gallery, as there really are two cats!) |
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Spring Biome Hike
Saturday, April 18, 2026, 10 am to 12:00 pm
Meet at the Regency Court trailhead, near 1590 Regency Court
Saturday, April 18, 2026, 10 am to 12:00 pm
Meet at the Regency Court trailhead, near 1590 Regency Court
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Don’t miss our third Seasonal Biome Hike. Join nature enthusiast Robert Schaadt for a hike to explore the various biomes of the Hillside Natural Area. Stroll trails while we identify different native plants within their different habitats. The Hillside has several representation of the different biomes of the Bay Area.
This hike is the third in a series held quarterly in 2025 and 2026 aimed at exploring the Hillside’s plant and animal communities and their changes through the seasons. |
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BioBlitz in the Hillside Natural Area
Saturday, April 25, 2026, 10 am to 1:00 pm
Meet at the Regency Court trailhead, near 1590 Regency Court
Saturday, April 25, 2026, 10 am to 1:00 pm
Meet at the Regency Court trailhead, near 1590 Regency Court
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Join Trekkers for a BioBlitz to explore, discover, and learn about the wildlife and biodiversity in the Hillside Natural Area.
This event is part of the 2025 City Nature Challenge, a global friendly competition among cities to make the most observations of their local plants and wildlife April 24-27. It helps (1) El Cerrito’s planning to manage and conserve the HNA while making it more fire resilient, (2) the SF Bay Area’s stats and rank in the CNC global competition, and (3) scientists more broadly to understand biodiversity and the effects of climate change. No experience needed - ambassadors & wildlife experts will be on hand to help us explore. If you can, please install the iNaturalist app on your device and create an account. If you can’t, please join us regardless. |
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Twelfth Annual El Cerrito Hillside Festival
Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3, 2026
Various locations throughout the Hillside Natural Area
Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3, 2026
Various locations throughout the Hillside Natural Area
Join us for many hikes led by experts on varied topics throughout the weekend.
For more information, visit the Hillside Festival page.
For a PDF file of the Hillside Festival Brochure, including a map of the Hillside Natural Area indicating the locations for the start of each event, see below.
For more information, visit the Hillside Festival page.
For a PDF file of the Hillside Festival Brochure, including a map of the Hillside Natural Area indicating the locations for the start of each event, see below.
Recent Hikes
Spring Native Plant Amble
Thursday, April 9, 2026, 5:30 to 7:00 pm
Meet at Motorcycle Hill trailhead, intersection of Navellier St. and Blake St.
Thursday, April 9, 2026, 5:30 to 7:00 pm
Meet at Motorcycle Hill trailhead, intersection of Navellier St. and Blake St.
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Naturalist Margot Cunningham leads this exploration of spring blooming native plants in the Hillside Natural Area on this slow but steep adventure.
Watch for other seasonal plant walks that Margot will lead later in the year! |
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Peeks at Creeks
Saturday, February 28, 2026, 10 am to 12 pm
Meet at the corner of Eureka Ave and Albermarle St.
Saturday, February 28, 2026, 10 am to 12 pm
Meet at the corner of Eureka Ave and Albermarle St.
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Many El Cerrito creeks are covered, but you can find peeks of exposed portions. This walk will take us to a selection of these open residential creeks along three hillside watersheds. Walk leaders Barbara Lass and Wade Huntley will share how they have used local maps to follow buried creek beds, hunt for the signs of the creeks, and learn about the creeks' natural history.
** Rain or shine (hope for rain - it fills the creeks!) ** |
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Winter Biome Hike
Sunday, January 11, 2026, 10 am to 12 pm
Meet at the Schmidt Lane Trailhead, 7501 Schmidt Lane, near the Recycling Center
Sunday, January 11, 2026, 10 am to 12 pm
Meet at the Schmidt Lane Trailhead, 7501 Schmidt Lane, near the Recycling Center
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Join El Cerrito Trail Trekkers and nature enthusiast and hike leader Robert Schaadt on a hike to explore the various plant and animal communities of the Hillside Natural Area. Stroll trails while we identify up to 30 native plants and their different habitats.
This hike is the second in a series held quarterly aimed at enjoying the Hillside’s biomes and their changes through the seasons. |
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