There are a couple of great walks coming up. Join us!

April 14 – Laurel to the Redwoods

Join us on Saturday, April 14th to trek from the Laurel District to the Redwoods. We are very excited to have Oakland historian Dennis Evanosky joining us to share area history with us.

• This strenuous 5-mile walk includes stairs, hills and uneven terrain. Wear sturdy shoes, bring water and snacks. Strong walkers only, please.
  
• Meet in front of St. Lawrence O’Toole Roman Catholic Church at 10:00am. We will return no later than 1:00pm. Taking a #54 AC bus back to the starting point from Merritt College is an option for a quicker return.
• Heavy rain cancels, light rain doesn’t (Walking in the rain is ok, ‘ya know we need it).
• Sorry, no dogs allowed.

We’ll start at the church and head for McCrea Memorial Park to check out Oakland’s own casting ponds. After crossing Highway 13 via pedestrian overcrossing, we’ll check out the Leona Lodge before climbing alongside the waterfalls of Leona Heights Park and end our exploration with a great bay view from the Merritt College parking lot.

May 6th – Jane’s Walk: Exploring Oakland’s History on Foot with
Interactive Audio
We’re planning to continue our tradition of hosting walk(s) as part of the Jane’s Walk celebration, in coordination with the California Preservation Foundation’s annual conference (in Oakland!) during the first week in May.

• 5/6, 10am

• Meet at NE Corner of 11th and Broadway in front of the Key System Building Mural.

Thanks to all who joined us for a great Explore Oakmore walk on March 10th. Read all about it on ouroakland.net and take a closer look at the route below. We’ll repeat this walk again.

Thanks to all who turned out for our first Rock and Walk and especially to Andrew Alden for sharing his geologic insights with us. Our route map is displayed below and a copy of the brochure we handed out is available here for you to use and share with your friends. A nifty blog post with pictures, route and historical links is available at ouroakland.net and Andrew Alden’s own comments are online, with comments from around the world.

It’s time to Rock and Walk! Join us on Saturday, February 11th to explore Oakland’s unique geology and quarry legacy with Oakland geologist Andrew Alden of Oakland Geology.

If this topic gets you excited, you might also want to consider attending Andrew’s talk with the Oakland Heritage Alliance on Thursday, February 9th.

We’ll start at the southeast corner of the Rockridge Shopping Center next to the quarry pond and walk to three other former quarries in close proximity: the locations currently known as Davie Tennis Stadium, Dracena Park and the Morcom Rose Garden.

Of course, paths and stairs will connect our journey.

This 5-mile walk will take three hours to complete.

* Meet at the southeast corner of the Rockridge Shopping Center parking lot at 10:00am.
* Return to starting point by 1pm
* Heavy rain cancels, light rain doesn’t (Walking in the rain is ok, ‘ya know we need it).
* Dogs OK! 

Great walk and awesome turnout, despite the threat of rain. Check out the writeup and pics at ouroakland.net

We’re walking from Lakeshore to Park Blvd. via stairs and paths on Saturday, 1/21.
Come get your walk on!

* Meet at Mandana Plaza on Lakeshore (corner of Lakeshore and Mandana) at 10:00am.
* Arrive on Park Blvd. around 11am for coffee break
* Return to Lakeshore around noon
* Heavy rain cancels, light rain doesn’t.
* Dogs OK!

We’ll explore the neighborhoods and stores of Crocker Highlands, Grand Lake, Piedmont Avenue, Adams Point and others via the historic stairways and pathways that once served the Key Route Street Car.

When we get to Piedmont Avenue, we’ll take a break for some shopping. Walkers from last years event appreciated having this dedicated time to get gifts and support Oakland businesses.

• Meet at Mandana Plaza on Lakeshore (corner of Lakeshore and Prince) at 10:00am.
• Shop on Piedmont Avenue from 11:15am to Noon.
• Arrive at Grand Avenue by 1:00pm.
• Heavy rain cancels, light rain doesn’t.
• Dogs OK! 

OUP related items, including shirts, maps and books will be for sale at great holiday prices!

November 12th: Secret Stairs, Fire and BART (10 am–Noon)
Check out stairs, Vicente Creek and a special BART stairway along the Oakland/Berkeley borderlands.

• Meet at 10am at the Peet’s at 2916 Domingo (in Berkeley, just barely).
• Walk includes some hills, be ready to climb.
• Heavy rain cancels, light rain doesn’t.
• Dogs OK

Oakland Urban Paths is very excited to announce its Fall 2011 walk schedule with a Saturday walk in October (This Saturday, 10/15!), November and December.

Check out our nifty brochure with all the details that you can send to your friends, or read on below:

October 15th: Sausal/Peralta watershed wander (4:00-5:30) and Anza Trail lecture (6:00)pm
Come for the walk, stay for the lecture.
Walk starts at 4:00 pm, historic lecture on Women and Children of the Anza Trail starts at 6:00 pm at the Peralta Hacienda. We’ll finish the walk with enough time to pick up a burrito or pupusa on Foothill Ave. Snacks and drinks will also be available at the lecture.
Meet at Peralta Hacienda House,  2465 34th Avenue. There is ample parking on Coolidge or Hyde.
More info on the lecture at www.peraltahacienda.org

November 12th: Secret Stairs, Fire and BART (10 am–Noon)
Check out stairs, Vicente Creek and a special BART stairway along the Oakland/Berkeley borderlands.
Meet at 10am at the Peet’s at 2916 Domingo (in Berkeley, just barely). Walk includes some hills, be ready to climb.

December 10th: Walk and Shop (10 am-1 pm)
Get in some holiday shopping on foot in Oakland. Meet at the park area on Lakeshore (east side of street) between Longridge and Mandana. We’ll walk to Piedmont, take a break to hit the stores and walk back via stairs and paths.

We’re out there…

Please join us this Sunday (August 21st) to walk some of Oakland’s steepest and woodsiest stairs.

We’ll meet at 10am in front of the Montclair Library and return to the same location before noon, giving you plenty of time to make it to Art and Soul’s heavy-hitting Main Stage afternoon set.

This walk includes uphill walking, please wear sturdy shoes.

Oakland Urban Paths Walk
Sunday, August 21st
Meet at Montclair Library at 10am

Please join us this Friday night at Pegasus Books on Solano Avenue to hear Charles Fleming speak about his new book, Secret Stairs of the East Bay.

Fleming’s book is an excellent compendium that puts you right where we want you, on the paths and stairs of Oakland. Representatives from other local paths, stairs and walking groups will be in attendance.

Secret Stairs of the East Bay Book Talk
THIS Friday (August 5th) at 7:30pm

Pegasus Books
1855 Solano Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94707
(510) 525-6888