There are more than 350 parks located within the county. The East Bay Regional Park District operates within Alameda and neighboring Contra Costa County. The Hayward Area Recreation and Park District is the largest special park district in California.

Alameda County has eight National Historic Landmarks.

Contra Costa County occupies the northern portion of the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Adjoining or nearby these parks are lands of the East Bay Municipal Utility District. These require special annual permits for hiking, bicycle riding and horse riding, available for a small fee. At least one member of a party traversing these areas must have such a permit.