Albany Hill & Creekside Park

The natural value of Albany Hill lies in the surprising richness of the flora and faunas the current tally is 134 native plants reported from hill and creek, including 2 orchids, 3 different roses, and 7 kinds of fern. Many of these plants were of great importance to the local Ohlone tribes whose grinding holes remain in the bedrock, such as coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), California hazelnut (Corylus cornuta var. californica), soap plant (Chlorogalum pomeridianum), and yarrow (Achillea millefolium).

There are a couple of benches along the trail where you can stop and take in a view of the San Francisco Bay or downtown Albany & El Cerrito.

A Nature-Lover's Paradise

Albany’s Creekside Park links Albany Hill Park to Cerrito Creek, creating a rare nature-lover’s paradise surrounded by city. Hawks and songbirds, twisted old willows along the sparkling creek, open grasslands, spring-flowering elderberries and buckeyes, and a willow grove at the mouth of Middle Creek are among the varied attractions.

A dirt trail zig-zags up through gnarled oak forests on the north side of the hill to the summit. (Caution: Wear long pants and sleeves, and know how to recognize poison oak on this trail.) Crossing Cerrito Creek on stepping stones takes you to El Cerrito’s more urban Creekside Park (south end of Santa Clara Ave.), with colorful murals, a children’s play structure, and a paved creekside trail.

Albany’s Creekside Park also can be reached from Pierce Street via the creekside trail north of Bayside Commons, or from the north end of Madison Street.