A hidden redwood forest lies in the hills just a few miles over the ridge from downtown Oakland. The forests peaceful groves give little evidence of the parks bustling past in the mid-1800s the area was the scene of extensive logging to supply building materials for the San Francisco Bay Area. The logging era has long since passed, and a stately forest of 150-foot coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) has replaced those cut down.

In addition to a great forest of coast redwoods, the parks 1,830 acres also contain other evergreens, chaparral, and grasslands. Wildlife within the park includes rare species such as the golden eagle and Alameda striped racer. Deer, raccoons, rabbits, and squirrels are often seen.