SAN ANTONIO PARK
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
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Located on a gently sloping hillside in an area named for the Rancho San Antonio from the Mexican era of California, San Antonio Park is now a community space where cultures intersect and people of all ages come together. Originally known as Independence Square during the early development of Oakland, the space was renamed San Antonio Park sometime after 1912. In contemporary times, San Antonio Park has played an important role in the history of the Chicano Movement. The park was notably the site of the Chicano Moratorium rally against the Vietnam War in 1970 and continues to host cultural and community events through the present day.
Park Activities
Sports facilities and crowd-friendly grounds take center stage at San Antonio Park. Seniors walk the park’s shaded paths, teams rotate on the turf soccer field while their fans watch from the hillside above and families gather for large functions near the park’s basketball and tennis courts. A magnet for crowds as the biggest park in the immediate neighborhood, reviewers call San Antonio Park a “breath of fresh air for the community” and “perfect for birthday BBQs and a Sunday afternoon hangout,” while calling out the “great special events in the summer” like the Malcolm X JazzArts Festival.
Park Facilities
Basketball Courts
Bathrooms
Community Garden
Picnic Tables
Playground (Ages 5-12)
Recreation Center
Soccer Field
Stage (Gazebo)
Tennis Courts
Tot Lot (Ages 2-5)
Park Info
Address
1701 East 19th Street
Dogs
Not allowed
Hours
Closed from dusk until dawn, unless otherwise posted or permitted
Maintenance Requests
OAK 311
(510) 615-5566
Recreation Center Programs
City of Oakland
(510) 238-7275
Rentals
City of Oakland
(510) 238-3420
Volunteer Opportunities
Friends of San Antonio Park
Park and Surroundings
Additional Photos
Your turn! What are your favorite activities and experiences at San Antonio Park? We would love to hear from you in the comments section below!
Are you following the City plan to remove part of San Antionio Park to make it a Fire Station?
Hi Brooke, yes, we have been following those community discussions closely!
If one of those four tennis courts had lines added for four pickleball courts, 16 community members could utilize it at one time. The cost of adding those stripes is minimal, portable nets and loaner paddles could be acquired for approximately $500. It’s an easy game to learn, basic equipment is inexpensive, and all ages can play together. It would be a huge boon the the park and the neighborhood.
Great suggestions! We’ll share.
Please add lights to the soccer field! People play soccer there until well after dark, yet the well-lit basketball courts are often empty at the same time.
Great idea, Patrick. Please share with the Friends of San Antonio Park.
It would be so great if the tennis courts were restored.
Great suggestion, Ryan. See above for ways to get involved with the Friends of San Antonio Park.
Do events require a permit? It sure would be nice to know when people decide to throw day long parties with music blasting.
Hi Lydia, yes, permits are generally required for large gatherings. The Oakland Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC) meetings are a good place to bring community ideas for improving that process.
Hello, what happened to the proposed plan to update the San Antonio Park? I even vote for one of the three proposals.
Communities around San Antonio would greatly appreciate the park if the City would upgrade the tennis courts, basketball courts and I would love it if they make a small dog park for our pets, everyone has pets nowadays. it would be nice also if they convert one of the tennis court into basketball court that will have locks- where the neighborhood can make reservation for a fee that would be used to maintain the court and I don’t mind being the keeper of that court – this way sorrounding neighborhood will be given a chance or will have their turn to play basketball. I noticed that same group of people play at the basketball court and I have teenage boys who wants to play with their friends but the courts are always occupied so we have to go to other cities so they can play basketball. Thank you.
Thank you for your feedback, Flor. We’d suggest getting in touch with the Friends of San Antonio Park at https://www.friendsofsapark.org/.
How do I inquire about a garden plot there?
Hi Foxy510! You’ll want to contact Manny Barra, the City of Oakland’s Community Gardens Coordinator at EBarra@oaklandca.gov. Cheers!