Grizzly Peak (Berkeley Hills) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grizzly Peak |
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Looking east from Grizzly Peak Boulevard with Mt. Diablo in the distance.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,758 ft (536 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 100 ft (30 m) |
| Geography | |
 Grizzly Peak
Location in California
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| Parent range | Berkeley Hills |
| Topo map | USGS Briones Valley |
Grizzly Peak is a cool mountain top, or 'summit,' located in the Berkeley Hills, right above the city of Berkeley, California. It sits right on the edge of Alameda and Contra Costa counties, inside the beautiful Tilden Regional Park. It's also just behind the University of California, Berkeley campus.
This peak got its name from the mighty California grizzly bears that used to live all around this area until the late 1800s. Imagine this: the last time a grizzly was seen nearby was in the 1860s! Sadly, a man was reportedly killed by one in Strawberry Canyon, right below Grizzly Peak. The very first time a European recorded killing a grizzly in this area was in 1772. This happened near Strawberry Creek, close to where the UC Berkeley campus is today. Spanish soldiers shot the bear, and Father Juan Crespi wrote about it. The very last grizzly bear in all of California was seen and killed in 1922, far away in the Sierra foothills.
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Grizzly Peak Boulevard: A Scenic Drive
Grizzly Peak became much easier to visit in 1932. That's when a road called Grizzly Peak Boulevard was built. This road follows the ridge line of the Berkeley Hills, offering amazing views. Soon after, the name "Grizzly Peak Boulevard" was also given to a part of Euclid Avenue to the north.
Where the Road Goes
Today, Grizzly Peak Boulevard stretches a long way. It starts in Kensington in the north, goes through Berkeley and Oakland, and ends at Skyline Boulevard in the south. The part of the road in Berkeley is mostly a residential area, meaning people live there. But the original part of the road is still mostly undeveloped, keeping its natural beauty.
A Historic Passageway
Before Grizzly Peak Boulevard was built, the area where it now meets Claremont and Fish Ranch Road was a very important way to cross the Berkeley Hills. People used to travel through here before the Caldecott Tunnel was built in 1903. There was even an inn and a stagecoach stop called the Summit House there!
Fun Things to Do at Grizzly Peak
Today, Grizzly Peak is a super popular spot for people to visit. Why? Because you can get an amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the whole San Francisco Bay Area from here! It's a fantastic place for taking photos or just enjoying the scenery.
You might also see some exciting activities happening here. It's common to spot street luge enthusiasts. These are people who lie down on a special board and race down the road, which looks like a lot of fun!
