Have an Easter Picnic at These Beautiful Oakland Parks
Easter means it’s time to get together with the family and have a meal to honor the reason for the holiday. Sometimes switching up where and how you have your Easter meal makes for a nice change of pace, and at De Castroverde Law, we’re sharing a list of destinations that help you do just that. Read on to learn more about scenic destinations in the Oakland, California, area where you can go for an Easter picnic and enjoy beautiful backdrops or get out into nature for your meal.
Always be respectful of the places you decide to visit for your picnic. There are rules in place for a reason, and they’re designed for the safety and preservation of the location. Otherwise, you might find yourself giving us a call to help you out of a jam.
Mountain View Cemetery
The idea of having an Easter picnic in a cemetery may seem a little odd on the surface, but it’s something that the Victorians used to do regularly. In essence, picnicking in a cemetery is reviving an old tradition, and Mountain View Cemetery has a picnic area with beautiful views of the bay and mountains. It’s also a historic cemetery that’s the final resting place for people who were famous in their day.
Before you go to the cemetery for a picnic, you need to call ahead, as Mountain View is a privately run cemetery. Prior to the pandemic, visitors were less than respectful of the property. The operators want to restore public access and are enforcing rules for visitors. Be respectful and follow the rules, and you’ll guarantee a pleasant time for all, as well as enjoy the beautiful landscaping and stonework used for mausoleums and grave markers.
Lake Merritt
Lake Merritt was created in 1869 by Mayor Samuel Merritt. He led a movement to dam a tidal estuary and create a lake and wildlife refuge. Acreage was added to the edge of the lake 40 years later to create parklands for greater enjoyment. Over the intervening decades, the lake has been added to make Lake Merritt into a civic property that area residents can be proud of, as well as come for an Easter picnic.
Groups are encouraged to use the park as long as they follow the posted rules. A group of 25 or more people is required to obtain a permit before the event, but smaller groups don’t need a permit at any time. There’s a $5 fee per car for parking on holidays, so make sure that everyone who’s arriving is aware they have to pay to park.
The lake offers the opportunity to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, such as gardening and bird watching. Volunteers are welcome, and maybe someone who comes for a picnic lunch will find themselves returning to help shape the park.
Redwood Regional Park
Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park is part of the East Bay Regional Park District and is located a few miles away from downtown Oakland. It’s a magical place for a picnic, what with its majestic redwood trees that have replaced the ones taken by the logging industry over 100 years ago. There are four picnic areas located throughout the park that can be reserved for groups of 50 to 150. Smaller groups can use the picnic facilities as well, but it’s a good idea to call in advance to make sure the picnic areas are available.
Visitors can enjoy the trail system and explore some of the 40 miles of pathways throughout the park after a fine Easter picnic. You’ll find groves, meadows, and remnants of structures and have a chance to view habitat restoration efforts. The park charges a $5 fee per car on major holidays that is payable at the Redwood Gate entrance. There’s also a $2 fee per dog brought into the park.
Morcom Amphitheater of Roses
The Morcom Amphitheater of Roses is located in a natural bowl that provides a perfect setting for this majestic and historic rose garden. The city of Oakland bought the property in 1911, but it wasn’t until 1930 that the rose garden was planned and created. A member of the Oakland Businessmen’s Garden Club, Arthur Cobbledick, designed the garden and based its design on historic gardens in Italy. The result is a rose garden that’s in bloom from April to October and has multiple features, including a fountain and a colonnade.
The Amphitheater doesn’t have a designated area for picnicking, but it does have benches throughout the grounds. It’s still owned and operated by the city, which means visitors can spend time on the benches and make a picnic without the need to reserve a spot or worry about being chased out. Always be respectful of the space and others who’re visiting, and no one will bother you and your group.
Oakland Zoo
The Oakland Zoo is a great place for an Easter picnic, especially if you have young ones in your family. The zoo makes for a great backdrop to have your meal and then go check out the animal habitats and get up close and personal with exotic creatures. The zoo has multiple picnic spots throughout the grounds, allowing you to bring food.
It’s worth noting that the Oakland Zoo is a very popular destination and gets crowded quickly on the weekends. Arrive as early as possible to guarantee yourself a picnic spot, as the zoo doesn’t allow reservations.
In Conclusion
That wraps up our list of interesting picnic destinations for an Easter meal. Let us know if we missed a place you feel belongs on the list, and we’ll make sure to add it during our next update. In the meantime, if you’re in need of legal help for criminal law matters or seeking help for an immigration matter, get in touch with us today. Our team of legal experts can help you with either of these issues and provide you with a defense that can improve your legal outcome.
Photo Credit: Mountain View Cemetery by Daniel Ramirez is licensed with CC BY 2.0.