Lake Anza — Attraction in Berkeley

I was surprised that I had to climb halfway up the mountain in order to reach the lake. It's not a good Lake for Sunrise pictures it probably would be for sunset. There's a ridge to the east that blocks the sun until it's well into the sky as you will see in the pictures. There are a lot of ducks and one otter. Definitely don't get in the water cuz that algae isn't human friendly and you are not supposed to feed the wildlife including the Ducks. Wear your hiking boots because anything off of the paved trail is rough and uneven with a lot of roots and rocks and some scree that could cause a fall. There are people who literally go running through here and there are other people that look like they need to be hooked up to mountain climbing to do the same Trail so it matters how Nimble and well-balanced you are. I went as far as the rocky outcropping where the sign say not to go out there and a little bit further maybe a quarter of a mile along the left side of the lake. At that point I had to turn around and head back because I'm out here for work and I was just taking a hike to get some exercise. There are steam trains nearby there's a gas station at the bottom of the hill about two and a half miles from the lake. I believe it's north Berkeley where the Chevron is. I didn't get a chance to go to the flower area or wildlife area, not sure if they're open or not. The Pull-Ups on the side of the road on the way up with some spectacular views are blocked thanks to our friend covid. If you're sneaky there still a few places you can pull off and get shots. If you decide to go down the hill to North Berkeley it's not for the faint-of-heart it's pretty much a straight drop down for over a mile at if you decide to go down the hill to North Berkeley it's not for the faint-of-heart it's pretty much a straight drop down for over a mile at some pretty steep angles. If your brakes aren't good don't do it. I saw signs for restrooms and what have you but the fountains and other things were blocked off so I'm not entirely sure that the restrooms at Lake Anza are open to the public but there were people...

I don’t totally get the high reviews of this place….

I went here 15 years ago, and I was actually able to do the full loop trail around the lake… I remember liking it, but I’m starting to question my own memory 😅

I don’t think I’m imagining it, but fast forward 15 years to today and the trails are completely overgrown to the point where you don’t even know where the trail is at many points… when I got about halfway through, I had to finally backtrack the same way I came because I reached a point in which there was no obvious trail in sight. It was completely just overgrown, tall grass, probably full of ticks. I also saw poison oak right next to the narrow “trail” where you’re walking…

my only hypothesis for this entire experience is that maybe this trail used to be somewhat maintained and it’s not anymore?

The only reason I gave an extra star in this review was for the lake itself, because it’s very beautiful(See picture* but this picture was taken in the very beginning of the loop, before the trail gets weird and nonexistent…) However, it certainly isn’t worth a trip just for...

Lake Anza is truly a hidden gem! The location is stunningly beautiful and impeccably clean. The way the sun filters through the giant trees creates the most breathtaking ambiance, perfect for a relaxing day out. We had a lovely picnic on the open green grass, and the weather couldn’t have been better—mid 70’s, just right for snuggling up with a loved one or enjoying time with family.

Despite visiting on a Sunday afternoon, the area wasn’t crowded at all, which made the experience even more enjoyable. A major plus is the free parking, which is always a bonus! One tip: If you want to park close to the lake, make sure to search for “Lake Anza Parking Lot” in your GPS. Otherwise, you might end up walking a few miles if you’re not familiar with the area.

The bathrooms are located close to the parking lot and is easily accessible. Also very clean! There is also options to bbq but from the area we were sitting in, we couldn’t see where those were placed on the property.

Highly recommend for anyone looking to enjoy a peaceful and picturesque...