Need a relaxing East Bay escape with easy access to nature and city life? Head to Castro Valley! This laid-back community offers peaceful parks, local dining, and family-friendly attractions, all tucked between Oakland and the rolling East Bay hills.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Castro Valley is from April to October. Mild, sunny weather is perfect for hiking, outdoor dining, and exploring nearby regional parks.
How to Get There
- By Car: Located just off I-580, Castro Valley is about 25 minutes from Oakland and 40 minutes from San Francisco.
- By BART: The Castro Valley BART Station provides direct access to the Bay Area transit network.
- By Plane: Oakland International Airport (OAK) is only 20 minutes away; San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is about 35–45 minutes away.
Where to Stay
- Comfort Inn Castro Valley – Conveniently located near downtown and BART, with free breakfast and parking.
- Holiday Inn Express Castro Valley – Clean, modern, and ideal for business or family stays near major highways.
- Airbnb & Local Rentals – Cozy homes and guest suites offer flexible, affordable options in quiet residential neighborhoods.
Top Attractions
⮕ Hike, Camp, and Explore Nature at Anthony Chabot Regional Park
Anthony Chabot Regional Park is a 3,314-acre public park facility located less than 20 minutes from downtown Oakland. The park offers a wide variety of outdoor activities, including hiking and biking trails that traverse the park's grassland, eucalyptus grove, and Lake Chabot shoreline regions. Fishing is offered at Lake Chabot, along with overnight tent and RV hookups available at the Anthony Chabot Family Campground. An amphitheater at the campground hosts concerts, events, and naturalist-led campfire programs seasonally between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Group campsites and backpack camping opportunities are also offered, along with an equestrian park providing overnight horse boarding services.
2950 Peralta Oaks Ct, Oakland, CA 94605
⮕ Challenge Friends to Mini Golf Fun at Golden Tee Golfland
Golden Tee Golfland is Northern California's premiere miniature golf course and family entertainment center, offering two uniquely-landscaped miniature golf courses for the entire family to enjoy. One course is themed as an enchanted journey through a fantastical wonderland, while the other is themed after a daring adventure quest. The park is open seven days a week, with final miniature golf ticket sales offered one hour before closing time. It also offers a large video and redemption game arcade featuring skill and video games with racecar, Kung Fu, and alien themes. Birthday party packages are available for young visitors wishing to celebrate their birthdays at the facility, and group event packages are available for schools, churches, and other community organizations.
2533 Castro Valley Blvd, Castro Valley, CA 94546, Phone: 510-537-2168
⮕ Play a Scenic Round at Redwood Canyon Golf Course
Redwood Canyon Golf Course is a celebrated 18-hole golf course that serves as one of the Bay Area's top golfing destinations. The course overlooks beautiful scenic areas of the East Bay, including the San Leandro Creek, which weaves through many of the course's holes. Golfers of all skill levels may play the course and use the facility's unique water driving range, the only one of its kind in California. In addition to the course, the facility is also home to the Meadows Bistro restaurant, which serves gourmet New American entrees such as panko crusted chicken, Alaskan cod, and braised beef penne pasta. Its event center is available for private special event rentals, including weddings, graduations, and corporate events.
17007 Redwood Rd, Castro Valley, CA 94546, Phone: 510-537-8001
⮕ Support Local Talent with a Show from the Castro Valley Arts Foundation
Castro Valley Arts Foundation was formed as a partnership with the Castro Valley Unified School District in 1998 and operates out of the Castro Valley Center for the Arts, constructed by CVUSD at a cost of $9.1 million. The foundation strives to provide the Castro Valley community with high-quality artistic experiences, focusing on arts education for Castro Valley students and performers. It presents a full lineup of original and touring productions and concerts throughout the year, bringing in regional and national acts to complement local productions. An annual scholarship program presented in conjunction with CVUSD offers scholarships to local college-bound seniors who display exceptional talent and community service in performing arts fields.
19501 Redwood Road Castro Valley, CA 94546, Phone: 510-889-8961
⮕ Denica's Real Food Kitchen
Denica's Real Food Kitchen is operated by partners Denica and James Freitas, who opened their first Denica's location in 1999 in Dublin, California. Today, the local California chain has expanded to offer locations in Walnut Creek, Livermore, and Castro Valley, offering homemade American cafe fare in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Breakfast is served all day at the restaurant, with omelets, breakfast burritos, pancakes, and eggs Benedict dishes available. Artisan sandwiches are also served, along with crepes and a selection of Southwestern-style entrees. The restaurant prepares its famous homemade cookies daily, which may also be bought separately or served as part of catering packages.
2723 Castro Valley Blvd, Castro Valley, CA 94546, Phone: 510-537-1100
If you are a first time visitor:
- Castro Valley Marketplace – Stylish food hall and shopping hub featuring local eats, a butcher, bakery, and coffee roasters.
- Adobe Art Gallery – View local art and rotating exhibits in a community-run gallery housed in a historic adobe building.
- Don Castro Regional Recreation Area – Swim, fish, or relax in a lagoon surrounded by shaded picnic areas and hiking trails.
More Place to Eat
- Dutch Bros Coffee – Popular drive-thru coffee chain serving up creative drinks with a cult following.
- Doolittle’s Pub & Grub – Neighborhood favorite with casual American eats, wings, burgers, and rotating craft beers.
- Norman’s Grill – Classic diner serving all-day breakfast, burgers, and comfort food favorites.
If you are interested in local events:
- Castro Valley Fall Festival (September) – A beloved community street fair with live music, local vendors, and family fun.
- Light Parade on Castro Valley Boulevard (December) – Holiday lights, floats, and festive cheer along the town’s main street.
- Summer Concert Series at Lake Chabot (Summer) – Free outdoor music surrounded by nature, great for picnics and sunsets.
If you are looking for unique day trips within 30 Minutes of Castro Valley, California:
- Oakland (25–30 min) – Visit Jack London Square, hike Redwood Regional Park, or check out Oakland Museum of California.
- Berkeley (30 min) – Stroll through the UC Berkeley campus, dine in the Gourmet Ghetto, or hike in Tilden Park.
- Hayward Japanese Gardens (10 min) – A peaceful, meticulously landscaped spot perfect for quiet reflection and photos.
- San Leandro Marina (15–20 min) – Walk the bayfront trails, enjoy seafood, or catch the sunset over the water.
- Fremont (25–30 min) – Explore Mission Peak, visit Ardenwood Historic Farm, or go shopping at Pacific Commons.
- Livermore Wine Country (25–30 min) – Sip local wines, tour vineyards, and relax in rolling East Bay hills.
- Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center (15 min) – Great for birdwatching and walking trails along the San Francisco Bay.
- Dublin Hills Regional Park (15 min) – Hike open ridgelines with sweeping views of the Tri-Valley and East Bay.
- Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve (30 min) – For serious hikers and nature lovers looking to escape into quiet hills and wildflowers.
FAQ
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What contributed to the development of the region near Lake Chabot?
- Following the construction of the Lake Chabot reservoir, the region became a popular commuter town area for workers in the Oakland region.
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What is the current status of the region near Lake Chabot?
- Today, it is California's fifth most-populated unincorporated region, known for its arts and outdoor attractions such as Anthony Chabot Regional Park, which includes the Lake Chabot reservoir.
Plan Your Trip