Lake Anza

Lake Anza is a man-made, freshwater lake inside Tilden Regional Park. Families looking to escape the heat (or fog) make the short trip into the Berkeley Hills for supervised swimming and the sandy beach.

Swimming within the buoyed area is monitored by lifeguards daily in the summer months and on weekends only in fall and spring. The swim facility is closed from November through April. 

Runoff from the nearby watershed can boost bacteria levels in the rainy season. It’s a good idea to verify water quality before swimming any time of year. Weekly test results can be found at the East Bay Regional Parks website.

Bathhouses include changing rooms and cold water showers. An attached concession stand sells ice cream, hot dogs, and snacks. Entry to the lifeguard supervised beach is $3.50 for adults and $2.50 for children under 16 when lifeguards are on duty. If you are up for a hike, check out the Lake Anza Trail, though be advised that the trail is rough in sections.