Take advantage of the mild coastal climate of Contra Costa County and go camping. Anthony Chabot Regional Park is just 20 minutes from downtown Oakland and provides a scenic park in which to get away. The 5,067-acre park offers showers, naturist programs, lake access and tent, walk-in or trailer camp sites. Redwood Regional Park is a 1,829-acre park that features giant California sequoia trees. Redwood Creek offers rainbow trout fishing and wildlife viewing. Daytime and group campsites are available.
Sugar Barge (sugarbarge.com) is a RV resort and marina located on Bethel Island. The marina gives access to 1200 miles of waterways for recreation. Rent a boat or launch your own and spend the day water skiing, fishing or wildlife viewing. Striped bass, crappie, perch, bullhead, sturgeon and catfish are all varieties of game fish available with a license. Paddle boats, sailboats, kayaks and canoes are also available for eco-tourism.
The Lindsay Wildlife Museum (wildlife-museum.org) is located in Walnut Creek, California. The museum offers camps and outdoor activities related to wildlife experience and education. "Monday Meanderings" is a four-week after school kids program. The program meets at a different nearby location each week where kids learn about the natural wonders of California. "Creatures of the Creek" is another four-week class that allows kids to learn and explore the biology of creeks.
Skyline Ranch (skylineranch.com) is an equestrian center in Oakland, California. They offer beginner horseback riding lessons, intermediate and advanced English riding lessons and therapeutic riding programs. Equestrian camping is offered at Anthony Chabot Park, Tilden Park in Berkeley and Del Ville Regional Park. Nimitz Way is a 31-mile hiking and riding trail at Tilden. The equestrian camp at Tilden is large enough for 50 people and their horses. Water for horses can be arranged.
