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Site of Blossom Rock Navigation Trees

Visit the site of Oakland's historic Blossom Rock Navigation Trees, where towering redwoods once guided ships through the bay.

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A California Historical Landmark in Oakland's Redwood Regional Park, the Site of Blossom Rock Navigation Trees marks the location where towering redwoods once guided ships through the San Francisco Bay, helping them avoid the treacherous Blossom Rock. Though the original trees were felled in the mid-19th century, the site commemorates their vital role in maritime history.

A brief summary to Site of Blossom Rock Navigation Trees

  • 085 000100201, Oakland, CA, 94619, US

Local tips

  • Visit the Madrone Picnic Area in Roberts Regional Recreation Area to find the California Historical Landmark plaque.
  • Combine your visit with a hike in Redwood Regional Park to experience the beauty of the redwood forest.
  • Reflect on the ingenuity of early mariners who relied on these natural landmarks for safe passage.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    The Site of Blossom Rock Navigation Trees is located within Roberts Regional Recreation Area. From Oakland, take Highway 13 (Warren Freeway) north to Joaquin Miller Road. Head east on Joaquin Miller Road, then turn left onto Skyline Boulevard. The entrance to Roberts Regional Recreation Area will be on your left. Follow signs to the Madrone Picnic Area, where the historical marker is located. Parking is available within the park; fees may apply.

  • Public Transport

    To reach Roberts Regional Recreation Area by public transport, take a BART train to a nearby station such as Fruitvale or MacArthur. From there, transfer to an AC Transit bus that serves the Oakland hills. Bus lines 339 and 675 have stops near the park. Check AC Transit schedules for the most up-to-date route information and plan your trip accordingly. From the bus stop, it may be necessary to walk a short distance to the Madrone Picnic Area within the park. A local adult AC Transit pass is $2.10.

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Discover more about Site of Blossom Rock Navigation Trees

Before modern navigational tools, mariners relied on a unique method to avoid the hidden danger of Blossom Rock: the Blossom Rock Navigation Trees. These towering redwood trees, high in the Oakland hills, served as natural landmarks, guiding ships safely through the bay. Captain F.W. Beechey of the British Royal Navy documented their importance in 1826, noting that aligning the northern tip of Yerba Buena Island with these conspicuous trees ensured a vessel cleared Blossom Rock. Visible from sixteen miles away, these trees were essential for navigating the bay's unpredictable conditions. The specific location lies within what is now Roberts Regional Recreation Area, part of Redwood Regional Park. This area, characterized by lush redwood groves, offers a serene escape from the urban bustle of Oakland. The trees thrived in the East Bay hills, a region once covered by a vast redwood forest. These ancient giants played a crucial role in the maritime history of the area, acting as silent sentinels, guiding ships safely into the harbor. As San Francisco boomed during the Gold Rush, the demand for timber skyrocketed, leading to extensive logging in the Oakland hills. Sadly, by 1855, the original Blossom Rock Navigation Trees had fallen victim to the logger's axe. Despite their felling, the legacy of these trees lives on. Today, visitors can visit the Madrone Picnic Area, where a California Historical Landmark plaque commemorates the site. The plaque was placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the East Bay Regional Park District on August 23, 1986. The landmark serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving natural landmarks and understanding the connections between human activity and the environment.

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