Berkeley Marina

Berkeley heliport

From October 1961 until April 5, 1974 a heliport was operated by San Francisco and Oakland Helicopter Airlines (known as SFO Helicopter Airlines) on the north side of University Avenue west of I-80 near the marina. This helicopter airline transported passengers to the San Francisco (SFO) and Oakland (OAK) international airports, and also at one point to downtown San Francisco. SFO Helicopter operated jet turbine powered Sikorsky S-61 and Sikorsky S-62 helicopters into the heliport which is no longer in existence.

Bay protection and recreational use

During the 1960s, Berkeley developed the marina with loans from the state’s Small Craft Harbor program; the marina was formally dedicated in 1966 and completed in the early 1970s. As opposition to further filling of San Francisco Bay grew, waterfront planning increasingly emphasized public access and recreation. BCDC’s initial San Francisco Bay Plan, approved in 1968, called for shoreline parks, beaches, fishing piers and pathways, particularly in urban areas."A People's History of Eastshore State Park". Bay Nature. Spring 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2026.

A BCDC priority-use resolution adopted in 1971 lists the Berkeley Marina and nearby parks for recreational use."Resolution No. 16: Priority Use Area Designations and Boundary Descriptions". San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission. Retrieved November 1, 2026. A master site plan titled “Berkeley Regional Shoreline Recreation Area” depicted the marina as “Phase 1” and a northern “Marine Park” as “Phase 2”; it also marked a “35 Acre Parcel Acquisition.”"Exhibit C" (Map). Master Site Plan: Berkeley Regional Shoreline Recreation Area.

In 1986, Berkeley voters approved Measure L, the Public Parks and Open Space Preservation Ordinance, which protects city parks and public open space and requires voter approval for a change to non-recreational use. That year, the City adopted a Waterfront Master Plan establishing the waterfront as an area primarily for recreation, open space and environmental uses."Berkeley Marina Area Specific Plan: Worksession report" (PDF). City of Berkeley. February 16, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2026."Waterfront Master Plan". City of Berkeley. Retrieved November 1, 2026.

Events and festivals

The Berkeley Bay Festival, held at the Berkeley Marina on San Francisco Bay, is a family-focused event that celebrates the Bay, and the people and organizations dedicated to its protection. Attendees can connect with the Bay and the local community through live music, performances, food, hands-on educational activities, and free boat rides.

Fishing at the Berkeley Marina

Prior to Berkeley Pier being closed, fishermen targeted sharks and rays year-round, as well as halibut from spring through summer and striped bass from spring through fall. They also caught smaller species, such as jacksmelt, pileperch, white seaperch, black perch, walleye surfperch, kingfish (white croaker), sand sole, and starry flounder.

Fishing boats still use Berkeley Marina, and charter boats targeting halibut, striped bass, salmon, lingcod, rock cod, and Dungeness crab are available for fishermen to rent.

Radioactive substance beneath the park

The construction of the Berkeley Marina through land reclamation and filling has had notable environmental consequences. The Berkeley Landfill, which now lies beneath César Chávez Park, operated between 1961 and 1983, accepting what was then considered non-hazardous waste. However, on January 18, 2024, the California Water Boards issued a letter requiring the City of Berkeley to conduct tests for potential radioactive substances that may exist within the landfill. According to the letter, these substances could originate from the aluminum extraction process from bauxite ore, which can result in heavy metal contamination. Additionally, Uranium-235, a byproduct of aluminum processing and the primary fuel used in nuclear reactors, was also mentioned as a potential concern.

Heavy metal pollution poses long-term environmental risks, as these substances are non-biodegradable and persist in ecosystems for extended periods. Plants and animals may accumulate these toxins, leading to contamination throughout the food chain. The potential presence of radioactive materials raises further concerns due to the long-lasting and severe effects of radiation. Historical nuclear disasters such as Fukushima and Chernobyl demonstrate the devastating environmental and health impacts of radioactive contamination, which can persist for thousands of years, affecting soil, water, and surrounding ecosystems.