Hillside Nature Area

Rate this place

Parks

California

Nearby: Cerrito Vista Park Huber Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Hillside Nature Area is a 100-acre park and nature reserve located in the city of Berkeley, California.

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

The park is a popular spot for hiking, bird watching, and enjoying the natural beauty of the area.

Some of the main attractions of Hillside Nature Area include several miles of hiking trails that wind through the park's oak woodlands and grassy meadows. There are also several viewpoints that offer stunning views of the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Other points of interest in the park include a large picnic area, a children's playground, and a restored historic farmhouse that serves as a visitor center.

Interesting facts about Hillside Nature Area include the fact that it is home to a number of rare and endangered plant and animal species, including the California red-legged frog and the Western pond turtle. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including the golden eagle, red-tailed hawk, and great horned owl.

The best time to visit Hillside Nature Area is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the park is at its most vibrant. Visitors should be aware that the park can be crowded on weekends and holidays, so it is best to arrive early to secure a parking spot and avoid the crowds.

Weather Forecast

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.

Related References