Lake Merritt is a great running opportunity right near downtown Oakland. A 3.2 mile path goes around the circumference of the lake. One can start anywhere, but Grand Ave. provides good access. The Oakland Museum of California is located at the south side of the park, while Lakeside Park, which includes a lovely Bonsai Garden, is at the north side of the park. You’ll also run by the Cathedral of Christ the Light.
Add-Ons: For a little extra and some hill work, run up the Cleveland Cascade, a set of stairs that connects Lake Merritt with the hill neighborhoods. It’s like running up three stories. Also, Oakland’s ‘Slow Streets’ program now includes E 19th St., which leads to Lake Merritt, as well as 11th Ave., between I-580 and I-880. Slow Streets Map.
Lake Merritt is a great running opportunity right near downtown Oakland. A 3.2 mile path goes around the circumference of the lake. One can start anywhere, but Grand Ave. provides good access. The Oakland Museum of California is located at the south side of the park, while Lakeside Park, which includes a lovely Bonsai Garden, is at the north side of the park. You’ll also run by the Cathedral of Christ the Light.
Add-Ons: For a little extra and some hill work, run up the Cleveland Cascade, a set of stairs that connects Lake Merritt with the hill neighborhoods. It’s like running up three stories. Also, Oakland’s ‘Slow Streets’ program now includes E 19th St., which leads to Lake Merritt, as well as 11th Ave., between I-580 and I-880. Slow Streets Map.
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Essentials
3.2 mile loop
90 feet
Anywhere on path. Good access off Grand Ave. and from BART stations
BART: 12th Street, 19th Street, and Lake Merritt; Parking on east side and off Grand Ave.
It's NOT possible to run all the way from San Francisco to Oakland, but this newly opened path from Emeryville to Yerba Buena Island is 4 miles of running glory. Great views of the Bay, bridges, and skylines. Separate bike and pedestrian lanes.
One of the loveliest neighborhoods in the East Bay, with quiet, tree-lined residential streets and attractive homes. Include Piedmont Park and nearby streets, Dimond Park for trail running and Mountain View Cemetery for hilly paths and great views.
Nearly 12 miles of flat, waterside running. Most of it is lovely, with great views. Best sections are around César Chávez Park in Berkeley and Point Isabel to Marina Bay. We feature a detailed map and table with section distances.
One of the longest continuous stretches of shoreline running along the Bay Trail. It's 7 miles from San Leandro Marina to the San Mateo Bridge, with great water views, salt marshes, and sloughs.
An easy, flat beachside run near Oakland Airport. Crown Memorial State Beach is a wonderfully restored 2.5 mile beach, with a bike/pedestrian path. Continue along Shore Line Dr. for a 3+ mile route. Good beach and water views the whole way.
One of our favorite runs in the East Bay, and right next to Oakland International Airport! 6-mile dedicated path around the island, with great views to the water, Bay Bridge, and San Francisco in the distance. Good add-ons options.
Wonderful running in this area, 2 miles west of downtown Berkeley. A series of three parks and 8+ miles waterside trails along shores, tidal marshes, and beaches, with views out to SF Bay, the Berkeley Yacht Harbor, and South Sailing Basin.
Excellent running on the numerous roads and paths of the university. Can easily put together 4-5 miles on the main campus, seeing key spots and landmark buildings. Just to the east, head up to the Botanical Garden, or enjoy the Fire Trails for some trail running.
A great running option just a couple of miles east of Berkeley. There's Lake Anza, a botanical garden, wonderful wildflowers, and extensive trails. We recommend the paved 4 mile Nimitz Way Trail, with great views of San Pablo reservoir, SF bay and Mt. Diablo.
Wonderful trail running in 1,580 acre park, a few miles east of Oakland. Options include a paved path through redwoods, an 8.2 bike loop trail, and numerous more challenging options. Many trails shaded, which is good for a hot day.
Extensive park east of Oakland, with 70+ miles of trails. A favorite for runners is the 3.5 miles of paved trail along the south and east shores of the lake. There are several other more extensive, challenging loops available. Adjoins Redwood Regional Park.
Wonderful running options in Fremont: Central Park's 2-mile lake loop; The 12-mile Alameda Creek Trail, with additional scenic marshland & grassland trails at Quarry Lakes and the Coyote Hills Regional Park along San Francisco Bay.
Good running options in Pleasanton include the Arroyo Mocho & Centennial/Alamo Canal multi-use trails, and extensive trail running options in Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area & numerous open spaces west of I-680.
Best running options in Livermore are the Arroyo Mocho Multi-Use Trail, easy trail running in Sycamore Grove Park, the E Shore Trail in Del Valle Regional Park, and some lovely, quiet roads passing vineyards.
Best running options in San Ramon are: the Iron Horse Regional Trail -- a paved rail-trail that runs between Pleasanton & Concord; and scenic trail running at Sycamore Valley Open Space, Las Trampas Wilderness, and Bishop Ranch.
Good off-road running options in Walnut Creek are the Iron Horse Regional Trail and the Contra Costa Canal Trail. There's also wonderful trail running in Briones Regional Park, and the adjacent Shell Ridge & Diablo Foothills open spaces.
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Essentials
3.2 mile loop
90 feet
Anywhere on path. Good access off Grand Ave. and from BART stations
BART: 12th Street, 19th Street, and Lake Merritt; Parking on east side and off Grand Ave.
Add-Ons: For a little extra and some hill work, run up the Cleveland Cascade, a set of stairs that connects Lake Merritt with the hill neighborhoods. It’s like running up three stories. Also, Oakland’s ‘Slow Streets’ program now includes E 19th St., which leads to Lake Merritt, as well as 11th Ave., between I-580 and I-880. Slow Streets Map.
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Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!