JOAQUIN MILLER PARK
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
This article is part of our Oakland Parks Guide. Sign up for our email newsletter to receive Oakland park news, volunteer opportunities and inspiring outdoor ideas throughout the year!
Covering more than 500 acres nestled between Dimond Canyon below and the East Bay regional parks in the open lands beyond, Joaquin Miller Park is Oakland’s “jewel in the redwoods.” The City of Oakland established the park in 1919 with land purchased from the estate of early California writer Joaquin Miller, who had planted more than 75,000 trees on the grounds and placed monuments to notable figures such as Moses, John Frémont, Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. In the upper reaches of the park, second growth redwoods flourish in forests that originally provided timber to build Oakland and San Francisco during the Gold Rush era.
Park Activities
With a grassy bowl centered around the Woodminster Cascade, miles of hiking trails, stunning views of downtown Oakland and peaceful redwood groves, Joaquin Miller Park feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Morning joggers enjoy the Palos Colorados, Big Trees and Sequoia Bayview trails as the misty fog lifts. Exercise classes climb stone steps past reflecting pools to the base of the Woodminister Amphitheater. Parents watch their children storm around the park’s shaded playground. Groups of friends gather at Lookout Point for sunset. And yet, despite all the activity, Joaquin Miller Park rarely feels crowded. Online reviewers call Joaquin Miller Park a “gem of Oakland” that’s “perfect for a lazy afternoon stroll” where “all the scents in the atmosphere of the forest are purifying.”
Park Facilities
Barbecues
Baseball Field
Bathrooms
Cascade
Dog Play Area
Hiking Trails
Picnic Tables
Playground (Ages 5-12)
Stage
Tot Lot (Ages 2-5)
Park Info
Address
3590 Sanborn Drive
Dogs
Allowed on leash
Hours
Closed from dusk until dawn, unless otherwise posted or permitted
Maintenance Requests
OAK 311
(510) 615-5566
Rentals
City of Oakland
(510) 238-3420
Volunteer Opportunities
Friends of Joaquin Miller Park
Park and Surroundings
Additional Photos
Your turn! What are your favorite activities and experiences at Joaquin MIller Park? We would love to hear from you in the comments section below!
Hope some of the dead trees and branches can be removed to reduce fire danger, especially near roads…. Skyline, JM Road and Castle Drive.
Thanks for your suggestion, Stanley. Fire safety precautions should certainly be kept in mind.
Will the JM park be open for Labor Day?
Thank you for your question, Ted. It’s best to contact the City of Oakland for up to date status.