Walking Tour Around John Hinkel Park, North Berkeley Hills

About a three or four mile walk in the area around John Hinkel Park to see the interesting, architect, custom designed houses. Wear sturdy footwear. Steep up and down stair paths, uneven sidewalks and some steep short climbs.

The new meeting location is the intersection of the Alameda and San Pedro Ave. The Alameda is the cross street at the top of Solano Ave., (where all the shops end). Make a left turn here (that's north), if you've just driven up Solano Ave.

If you driven from downtown Berkeley via Shattuck* Ave. make a right here.

San Pedro Ave. is the second street on the left. park

*(at a fork next to Safeway, Shattuck Ave. goes right, but stay on the wider, main road, left lane, and you'll come to a tunnel and be okay.)

Plenty of unrestricted parking at this location. But always check parking signage and for red curbs.

We'll take a look at the home of a very famous US Navy Admiral. Also a house whose owner helped inspire John Steinbeck's, novel, Grapes of Wrath.

The period revival, Spanish-Mediterranean villas predominate in this, the Southampton Villas and Arlington Heights neighborhoods surrounding John Hinkel Park. For contrast there are three modernist/bay area regional genre homes, here too. We'll be high in the North Berkeley hills with beautiful views of the Bay at every turn.

Please wear sturdy footwear. There are very steep concrete stair paths, uneven sidewalks and steep but short uphills. Sandal type footwear is not recommended.

Some nice choices for lunch afterward on nearby Solano Ave.(Taqueria Talavera at Peralta Ave & Solano Ave. recommended) or Shattuck Aves.

(As the crow flies we'll only be two blocks from the Robert Oppenheimer house. To be seen on an upcoming walk when we visit Blake Garden in nearby Kensington.)

Here's a simple link that will allow you to support the Meetup and add a thank you.