SUNDAY DRIVE
Indian Rock Park
What you’ll see: A sweeping view of San Francisco Bay, framed in the distance by the Golden Gate, is the crowning payoff at Indian Rock Park. This park has a cult following among rock climbers, who ply the face of Indian Rock in preparation for the big walls of Yosemite Valley. Another route, an easy walk for most, provides a way for nonclimbers to get the big view.
Location: Indian Rock Park is in the Berkeley hills, with views facing west to San Francisco Bay.
The park: This is a small city park that often is overlooked by out-of-towners. The centerpiece is Indian Rock, which rises in a monolith above the hills around it. Steps are carved into the rock to provide a route up for the world-class views of the bay. The park also has a picnic area and small play area.
History, Part 1: The face of Indian Rock has been the practice site for several renowned rock climbers. They include Galen Rowell and Hans Florine, who went on to establish records and new routes in Yosemite. Both were elected to the California Outdoors Hall of Fame.
Memories: “I spent a lot of time at Indian Rock in Berkeley. You have this little mortar rock in the Berkeley hills. You learn all these little things there. It suddenly hits you that something that was impossible becomes possible. You take that with you to El Capitan and to climbs at rocks anywhere in the world.” — Florine.
History, Part 2: In 1917, the man considered “the father of modern rock climbing,” Dick Leonard, developed his skills at Indian Rock. According to several accounts, environmentalist David Brower used his rock-climbing knowledge at Indian Rock to develop training manuals the Army used for surprise approaches against Germany in World War II. Cost: Parking, access free.
Notes: No wheelchair access, no restroom, no off-street parking.
Contacts: City of Berkeley parks (510) 981-6660, www.ci. berkeley.ca.us — click and hold on “Services,” and in the pulldown menu, click on “Parks, Recreation and Waterfront.”