Indian Rock Park, at 950 Indian Rock Ave. in Berkeley's Northbrae neighborhood, is small at 1.18 acres. It has some of the best views in the East Bay, and it's a well-known place to learn to boulder. It's open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., according to the City of Berkeley.

What's there

The park straddles Indian Rock Avenue, about two blocks north of the Arlington/Marin Circle. The big outcrop has stone steps carved into the rock that lead to the summit, with views across San Francisco Bay. The other side of the street has smaller climbing rocks, grass and a small picnic area. The city lists a lawn, picnic area, rock climbing, an overlook and walking trails. Oxford Street and the Indian Rock Path connect the park downhill to Arlington Avenue.

The rock and its history

The outcrop is Northbrae rhyolite, a volcanic rock that formed roughly 9 to 11 million years ago, according to Wikipedia. Acorn-grinding pits carved into the outcrops by the Huichin band of the Ohlone remain visible, especially at Mortar Rock Park one block east. The land was donated to the city in 1917 during Duncan McDuffie's development of Northbrae, and the stairs were added as a Depression-era New Deal project.

Sierra Club members climbed here on weekends at least as early as the 1930s. Richard M. Leonard and environmentalist David Brower developed their mountaineering techniques here, Wikipedia notes. Brower later used that knowledge to prepare Army training manuals during World War II.

Tips

  • Mortar Rock Park and Great Stoneface Park are within walking distance, so you can make a short loop of Berkeley's rock parks.
  • The city describes the climbing as suited to early-level climbers. Bring a crash pad and a spotter if you boulder.
  • Parking is on residential streets, so be considerate of neighbors.