Inspiration Point is a gorgeous, paved path at the top of the ridge separating San Pablo and Richmond from Orinda and Berkeley, and one of my long-time favorites. There is a wonderful sense of open space on this path, and it goes for as long as you could want it to, which is to say it’s a nice path to walk and turn around at any point. The end is a cow gate that leads to a road down to San Pablo Dam Road.
Gorgeous views of the San Pablo Dam.
We escorted a California newt off the path before he was stepped on.
A mysterious and large nest-like thing in a tree above the path.
One side of the path gives you views of the El Cerrito hills, and the other gives you stunning San Pablo Dam views, which make you feel wild and wonderful (that’s the official motto of the West Virginia license plate, but it totally applies here!). There are plenty of benches along the trail that are great spots for lunch (no picnic tables, though).
The small parking lot can fill quickly, but you can park alongside the road if it’s full. Bathrooms are the usual glorified Porta Potties, but they do the trick and at least allow you to turn around without touching the walls.
The best thing about Inspiration Point, apart from its beauty, is that it’s easy to reach. You can access it from San Pablo Dam Road, or else from inside Tilden Park (vis a vis the Berkeley Hills).
The path is popular with joggers and bikers, but it is also an excellent family path owing to the different speeds and wideness of the path.
To get there:
Take San Pablo Dam Road from either direction. Turn onto Wildcat Canyon Road, at the stoplight. (Opposite road is Bear Creek Rd.) There will be a sign saying Inspiration Point. Drive up the curvy hill and park at the lot at the top.
You can also access this trail from inside Tilden Park, taking Wildcat Canyon Road past Lake Anza and past the Quarry.
