Albany Hill Park

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Parks

California

Nearby: Harding Park Middle School Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Albany Hill Park is a small 31-acre park located in the city of Albany, California.

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Summary

The park is known for its diverse plant and wildlife, as well as its scenic views of the San Francisco Bay Area.

One of the main reasons to visit Albany Hill Park is for hiking and outdoor activities. The park has several trails that offer visitors a chance to explore and enjoy the natural landscape. Visitors can also enjoy picnicking and birdwatching in the park.

One of the most unique landmarks in the park is the Albany Hill Cross, a 30-foot tall concrete cross that was built in 1928. The cross was originally built to commemorate the arrival of Spanish explorers to the area, but it has since become a popular landmark for hikers and visitors.

Another interesting feature of the park is the Albany Bulb, a former landfill that has been transformed into an outdoor art exhibit. The Bulb features a variety of sculptures and murals created by local artists.

Albany Hill Park is open year-round and visitors can enjoy different aspects of the park in different seasons. Spring is the best time to visit for wildflower blooms, while summer offers the best weather for outdoor activities. Fall offers a chance to see the changing colors of the trees, and winter is a good time for birdwatching.

Overall, Albany Hill Park is a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts and anyone interested in exploring the natural beauty of the San Francisco Bay Area.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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