The East Bay Regional Park District calls Tilden "the jewel of the system." It is one of the district's three oldest parks, spread over 2,079 acres between the Berkeley Hills and San Pablo Ridge. It is named for Charles Lee Tilden, the first president of the park district's board. Parking is free, and the park is open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The main attractions

Regional Parks Botanic Garden. The district says it holds the world's most complete collection of California native plants, including rare and endangered species. Wikipedia says the garden covers 10 acres.

Lake Anza. The sandy beach is sheltered from the wind, with lifeguards during swim season, which normally runs May through September. The lake is closed to swimming from November through March, but the trails and picnic areas around it stay open. Fishing is allowed year-round for bass, bluegill, sunfish and channel catfish, and anglers 16 and older need a state license.

Merry-Go-Round. Tilden's Herschell-Spillman carousel is an antique menagerie of hand-carved wooden animals with calliope-style music. Wikipedia dates its arrival in the park to 1948. The district encourages reservations.

Golf. The 18-hole public course is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.

Trails

The park has 39.41 miles of trail. Nimitz Way is paved, wheelchair accessible and runs along the ridgetop with big views. The best place to park for it is Inspiration Point on Wildcat Canyon Road, which has no drinking water. Dogs must be leashed on Nimitz Way. The East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail follows Nimitz Way for part of its 31-mile route.

Wikipedia says the road was originally built to reach World War II and Cold War anti-aircraft batteries. It was named in 1955 for Adm. Chester Nimitz, who was known to hike near Inspiration Point and scatter wildflower seeds.

Built by the New Deal

On June 4, 1936, the park district bought its first land from the East Bay Municipal Utility District. The 2,162 acres covered Tilden, then called Upper Wildcat Canyon, along with Lake Temescal and the Round Top area. From 1935 to 1941, a Civilian Conservation Corps camp in what is now the Tilden Nature Area sent crews to build roads, trails, bridges, picnic areas and the golf course. Works Progress Administration crews built the Lake Anza dam and the stone buildings, including the exterior of the Brazilian Room. That building's interior uses Brazilian hardwood from the Brazil pavilion at the 1939-40 Golden Gate International Exposition.

On Sept. 7, 1942, the Kaiser Richmond Shipyards held a Labor Day picnic in the park for workers and their families. About 10,000 people came, the largest event in Tilden's history, according to Wikipedia.

More Tilden: the steam train and the Little Farm.