Family fun at Tilden Park

Tilden Park: This place in Berkeley promises to provide you with activities for a whole day; and keeps its promise too. If you have kids and are in the San Francisco Bay Area, this place is perfect for a summer’s day.

Steam Trains  at Tilden Park

In this 2000 odd acres of land in the Berkeley Hills, there is plenty to do. Our first stop on our day long visit to this East Bay Regional Park was the Steam Trains at the south end of Tilden Park. We first boarded the Redwood Valley Railways’ train for a joyride courtesy engine no. 11.

When we were almost done with the ride, I noticed the cutest real tracks I had ever seen. Once we alighted, we walked down the road and found ourselves at the Golden Gate Miniature Railway and the teeny weeny rails here accommodate 2 ½ to 7 ½ “ gauge engines.I call them the cutest trains (second only to Disney’s Chuggington trains). You must see it to believe it.

 The Little Farm at Tilden Park

Tilden’s Little Farm has cows, goats, pigs and sheep. This place was full of little hands feeding these farm animals with celery and lettuce.

There’s also a little red barn that was built in 1955, put together by the Berkeley High School Carpentry students. In here you will find, hens, roosters, turkeys, geese and rabbits.

Merry-go-round

This I would say is a place you shouldn’t miss if you visit Tilden Park. The indoor carousel here is an antique piece. Said to be one of the few historical wooden carousels still functioning in the United States, a ride on it is a must. The gentleman who mans this charming merry go round, told me it is operated in the weekends all year through. And in the summer it’s open on weekdays too.

Lake Anza

Our last point for the day was Lake Anza. This was where the two little boys in our group got to wet their feet and play in sand. The lake has a sandy beach where you can chill out or sun bathe. It was a perfect way to end our day.

 FYI

• Tilden Park also has a number of hiking and biking trails.
• The park is dotted with many picnic areas.
• Rich in fauna and flora
• Food available near the merry-go-round.
• Steam train tickets (as of May 2012) Single -ride $3, 5- rides – $12
• Swimming allowed at Lake Anza. There are changing rooms too. It’s open till 6 in the evening and there’ll be lifeguards during the swim season.

More info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilden_Regional_Park
http://www.ebparks.org/parks/vc/tna