Chabot Park — Attraction in Oakland

a review from @amom2kidsandapark

Chabot Park is not only a gateway to beautiful Lake Chabot but has so much to offer the entire family. This parks’ main attraction is its frisbee golf course but if you don't frisbee golf there is still so much to do! If you walk down the hill from the parking there is an open space (that has slabs of asphalt, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, some benches & a group of large stuffed animals that are thoroughly enjoying themselves... see photos) Behind the open space is San Leandro Creek. Along the creek, there are a few “beaches” you can walk right up to & also a few short cliffs if you’re feeling up to getting muddy. There are a lot of downed eucalypti and if you're daring you can walk across the bridges they create. Look out for birds but mostly you'll find sticks, shrubbery, & land cover. As you explore you will find already treaded paths but they are very narrow and would best be treaded with boots (especially if it's wet). Be careful when tromping around because there are a lot of blackberry shrubs & with blackberries come thorns.

This park has a few playground elements including a hillside slide & a giant swing set (bucket & standard). The hillside slide can be a bit hard for smaller kids to get on because of the big raised ledge at the top. The swing set is a favorite. Because of how long the chains to the swing are, you get to do a long swinging arch without going so high (pendulum! science!)

This park has a big grassy area, a couple of picnic bench spots w/ bbq, a stage, an open bathroom, & access to Lake Chabot (what I’ve been told) is a short 20 min walk.

There is so much construction being done by EBMUD so look out...

Always a great time at Chabot Park. Parking both outside the park and inside. Would not recommend parking outside due to break-ins. Parking in the lot was $5. The lot does sometimes get full especially on weekends.

Many trail options. Mostly paved but do not be fooled. Although this trail is paved there are many incline/declines if you are starting at the left side. Great for stroller walking but stay to the right side starting point. Caution walking the entire lake late in the day. It can take up to 5 hours to walk the entire lake at a good pace.

Very kid friendly park. More to do than just walk the lake. You can rent paddle boats, canoe, and kayaks. I thought I saw larger bost to rent but unsure. Popular spot for birthday party's on the weekend. There is an exercise park near the cafe.

The cafe has some good snack and food options. Treat yourself after that long hard walk with an ice cream at the cafe.

Restrooms are gender specific and located at the front of the park as well as some...

I walk around the lake some afternoons, but not on weekends when the park is busy and actually a bit crowded by Covid standards.

Most people wear masks, even many of the cyclists and runners. Most.

There are still people who feel privileged to be exempt from County Health rules and don't wear masks and don't stay 6 feet away and also don't stop talking as they pass others.

This is in spite of clear and colorful signage on English and Spanish

Aside from that annoying and very risky behaviour ... Lake Chabot offers calming vistas and a relatively flat track around the lake .

There are some alternative trails and service roads that go uphill and give you more exercise for your time.

There are roped off picnic areas and boat rentals and platforms around the lake for fishing. On Friday 12/4 the usual parking fees and fishing fees were waived, but I think they will be enforced on weekends.

Lake Chabot is up hill from Bayfair Mall and the 150th ave exit of 580 or alternately North of...