Alameda County: Exciting adventures in Regional Parks await!

As spring gives way to early summer, Regional Parks are buzzing with activity. We hope this issue inspires you to get outside and make the most of the season. Not your everyday park plans — catch 'em while you can! Community Campfire Season May & June, starting at dusk | various parks Enjoy warm evenings with a classic campfire experience, complete with storytelling and s'mores. Several locations around the Park District are hosting, and day visitors as well as overnight campers are welcome. Find events. Rail Fair May 23-25, 10am-4pm | Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont All Aboard! Rail Fair 2026 returns Memorial Day Weekend with train rides, model and live steam displays, historic equipment, live music, and more (advance tickets available online through May 22). Grunion Search May 31 & June 29, 11:45pm-1:45am | Crown Memorial State Beach, Alameda Witness the rare grunion run at Crown Beach—an unforgettable late-night spectacle tied to peak tides. Join us to watch and wait under the moonlight. Ages 10 and up. Register here. Otter Weekend June 6 & 7, 11am-1pm | Big Break Regional Shoreline, Oakley Play like otters in our hands-on stream tables and get creative with an otter craft. Use your imagination to learn more about one of the Delta’s most charismatic mammals. Learn more. Bird & Butterfly Festival June 7, 10am-3pm | Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont Enjoy garden tours, family activities, music, and presentations while learning how to support pollinator habitats for butterflies, birds, and other native species. Learn more. Introductions to science and nature for youngsters Outdoor Discoveries May 11, 10:30am-noon | Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve, Sunol This monthly series introduces young learners to science and nature through a lesson and hands-on activities geared toward ages 4 to 8. May’s theme is ground squirrels. Register here. Sea Squirts May 12 & June 9 | Crown Memorial State Beach, Alameda Tailored to preschoolers, this monthly program offers themed activities to introduce kids to science and nature on the shoreline through songs, games, and crafts. On May 12, our theme is Busy Bees. On June 9, it's Skulls & Skeletons. Register here. Gyotaku Fish Prints May 16, & 17, 1:30-3pm | Del Valle Regional Park, Livermore Celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month through stories and trying gyotaku, a traditional Japanese fish-printing art—create your own print inspired by the lake’s fish. All ages welcome. Learn more. Hikes for Tykes May 19, June 2, June 16 | Various parks Guided walks of about a half mile introduce young kids to nature. Tools for exploration are provided. Find hikes here. Baby Animals May 24, 10-11:30am | Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont Meet the park’s wild babies! Play matching games and take a short stroll to spot young animals in action. Learn more. Puppet Show May 30, 10:30 & 11:30am | Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont Popular pollinator puppets teach about animals that are responsible for helping plants grow. The 30-minute show plays twice. Learn more. Naturalists offer education and insight while leading group hikes Wednesday Walks New routes & new parks every week! Find hikes here. Nature Photography Walk May 24, June 11 & 28, various times | Big Break Regional Shoreline, Oakley Take a guided short stroll and document the beauty of nature. Photos captured during this program can be submitted in the annual photography exhibit hosted at the Visitor Center this fall. Learn more. Over the Hills Gang May 26 & June 9, 10am-12:30pm | Various parks This series of monthly excursions is designed for hikers ages 55 and up interested in nature study, history, fitness, and fun. Find hikes here. Butterfly Hikes May 31 June 14 & 28, various times | Various parks Explore the parks in search of late-spring butterflies—from pygmy blues to tiger swallowtails—while learning about their habitats and spotting other pollinators along the way. Ages 8 and up. Find hikes here. Bob Walker Hike with Pride June 7, 8:30-11:30am | Morgan Territory Regional Preserve, Livermore Celebrate Pride Month with a 3-mile hike at Morgan Territory honoring photographer Bob Walker, exploring one of his favorite landscapes. Ages 7 and up. Register here. The Wonders of Plant Galls June 14, 9:30-11am | Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, Antioch Ever notice strange spheres, diamonds, or star-shaped growths on leaves and branches? These curious forms are called galls, and they reveal fascinating relationships between plants and animals. This hiking hunt for galls is for ages 8 and up. Learn more. Sunrise Surprise June 27, 5:30-8am | Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve, Sunol Beat the heat with a sunrise hike into Sunol, where we’ll observe the changing landscape at dawn and catch nocturnal wildlife heading home as the day begins. Ages 12 and up. Register here. Find more at ebparks.org/hiking. Grab your binoculars and scan for feathered friends Coffee, then Birds May 10 & 24, June 7, 8-10am | Crown Memorial State Beach, Alameda Start your day with coffee and snacks, then enjoy a guided stroll to spot birds, listen for songs, and look for nests. Learn more. Black Birders Week May 24-30, various times | Various parks Celebrate Black Birders Week with guided birdwatching excursions across the Park District, highlighting the importance of representation, community, and belonging in the outdoors. All are welcome. Find events here. Return of the Terns June 27, various times | Crown Memorial State Beach, Alameda Celebrate the endangered California least tern’s remarkable comeback with presentations, guided tours of the protected nesting site, and a naturalist-led shoreline viewing at Crab Cove. Register here.  Find more at ebparks.org/birding. Special projects for nature lovers Let's Talk Trash May 17 (teen event), 2:30-4pm & June 8, 9:30-11:30am | Del Valle Regional Park, Livermore Learn about different concepts related to the waste cycle and how you can make a positive difference, then participate in litter pick-up and data collection. Ages 13-18 on May 17. All ages on June 8. Register here. Sand Dune Habitat Restoration May 23 & June 6, 1-3:30pm | Encinal Beach, Alameda Help care for the sand dune habitat at Encinal Beach by removing invasive weeds and picking up shoreline trash to support native plants and wildlife. Ages 8 and up. Register here. Find more at ebparks.org/volunteer.

East Bay Regional Park District | 2950 Peralta Oaks Court | Oakland, CA 94605 US