Art in Nature takes place along the mile-long paved Stream Trail at Redwood Regional Park in the Oakland Hills, California.
Parking is limited. We highly recommend to CARPOOL. It’s fun, free, and a good way to meet new people…
How do I get to the Festival?
The Festival is accessed by free shuttle bus from Merritt College (parking is free). The shuttles take you directly to the entrance of the Festival and the ride is only 10 minutes. The Shuttle Bus Depot and Parking Lot is at Merritt College, 12500 Campus Drive, Oakland, CA 94619 (see driving directions below). The buses will run from Merritt College to Redwood Park every 10 minutes or so, starting at 10:30 AM. Return buses will run all day from Redwood Park to Merritt College until 6:30 PM or later as needed to bring everyone back to their cars. The parking lot at Merritt will be locked at 7:00 PM.
Driving Directions to Merritt College
From Highway 13 south, exit at Redwood Road and turn left, crossing over the freeway, curving around to the right and ascending a hill. The first stoplight halfway up the hill is Campus Drive. Turn right and go ½ mile to the Merritt College campus.
From Highway 13 north, take the Redwood Road exit to the stop sign, follow Mountain Blvd to the traffic light and take a right onto Redwood Road and head uphill. Follow directions above when you turn right onto Campus Drive.
From Highway 580, exit at 35th Ave and go east, towards the hills. 35th Ave will turn into Redwood Road by the time it crosses over 13. Follow directions above.
From Moraga, take Canyon Road to Pinehurst Road and turn south. Turn right onto Redwood Road and climb to top of the hill. Cross Skyline Blvd and turn left at Campus Drive, ½ mile down the hill, before Hwy 13.
From Castro Valley, take Redwood Road and follow directions above.
Can I take Public Transit to the Festival?
Merritt College is accessible by the AC Transit Route # 54 which leaves from the Fruitvale BART station every 30 minutes). For additional information, go to 511.org.
Can I park inside the park?
There is no public parking available at the Park the day of the event. All visitors must take the shuttle bus from Merritt College.
Can I park along Redwood Road?
No. Due to traffic congestion and pedestrian safety concerns, parking alongside Redwood Road for 1/2 mile each way from the park entrance will be prohibited the day of the festival. From the Redwood Gate park entrance it is another 1/2 mile to where the Festival begins, making it a 1 mile walk along a narrow winding road from the first legal parking. Be safe, take the shuttle!
Can I drop someone off at the Redwood Gate entrance?
No. Due to traffic congestion and pedestrian safety concerns, there will NOT be a drop off zone outside the Redwood Gate entrance.
Is the Festival wheelchair accessible and is there DP parking?
See our Accessibility page.
Other Transportation Options
Hiking to the Festival:
Check out the Redwood Park website and map to choose from numerous trails that lead to the festival site from Skyline Blvd trailheads. From the Skyline Gate it is a ~2 ½ mile, ~600 foot descent along the Stream Trail to Trails End, at one end of the 1 mile Festival trail.
Another option is to park at the Big Bear or MacDonald Gate trailheads and take the shady Golden Spike Trail from Big Bear Staging Area to the Fishway where it joins the park entrance road.
Biking to the Festival: Cyclists familiar with the narrow and hilly sections of Redwood and Pinehurst Road can get their exercise coming to the Festival. There is also easier, fairly level, more family friendly, though still along a country road where cars and motorcycles may whiz past. Park in the numerous turnouts farther south of the intersection with Pinehurst Road along Redwood Road. From there the ride to the Canyon Meadows Staging Area is a mile plus. Please keep in mind that while cycling is allowed inside the Festival, we ask that you be courteous and walk your bike when appropriate due to the many strolling festival attendees. There are no bikes allowed on the shuttles provided from Merritt College.
Bring snacks or pack a picnic.