Robert's Park

This 82-acre area is a popular place for family and group picnicking. It is known for its lush setting in a grove of fragrant second growth redwood trees off Skyline Boulevard in Oakland. The original grove was logged between 1840 and 1860 to support the needs of a growing Bay Area community.  Because the Roberts entrance and parking area are in a grove of redwoods, it has proved to be a popular stop for tourists. This is the best access to redwoods for visitors who cannot hike a long distance or have failed to pack their favorite hiking shoes. Drop by for a moment...you'll want to stay longer. The famous "landmark trees" were believed to have been located in or near Roberts Park; their location is marked by state historic plaque #962 near the Madrone picnic area. These were two giant redwoods used by sailors as navigational aids to avoid the treacherous Blossom Rock, submerged in the bay between Alcatraz Island and San Francisco. Captain F. Beechey of the Royal Navy noted in his log (1826) that in order to miss the rock, one should line up the northern tip of Yerba Buena Island with "two trees...south of Palos Colorados...too conspicuous to be overlooked." The distance from the sailors' ships to these trees was 16 miles, which attests to their size. Historical records indicate that the redwoods in this area ranged up to 20 feet or more in diameter. Another redwood grove can be reached by entering Redwood Regional Park at the Redwood Gate entrance, two miles east of Skyline Boulevard on Redwood Road. Leave your car in the parking area and stroll along Stream Trail through the shady canyon.