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Closed July 4th: Berkeley Fireworks Viewing Spot “Grizzly Peak”

Roads in high fire hazard zone closed from Skyline to Centennial until Monday morning
By - posted 7/4/2021 No Comment

In an effort to reduce fire hazards and to keep traffic from blocking emergency vehicles, key routes are closed to vehicles for the July 4th holiday on Grizzly Peak Boulevard.

Grizzly Peak is a popular spot to watch fireworks but is a very high fire hazard zone, fire officials said.

  • The road will be closed to vehicle traffic between Skyline Boulevard and Centennial Drive from 5 a.m. Sunday through 5 a.m. Monday.

Oakland is coordinating the Grizzly Peak closure with Berkeley, East Bay Regional Parks, UC Berkeley, Moraga/Orinda Fire, Alameda County, Cal Fire, and Caltrans. The corridor has been closed over 4th of July holiday for the last two years, and city officials said there were no confirmed fires and reduced crowds and illegal parking at the lookout points.

“The decision to limit vehicle traffic along key corridors proved successful last year along Grizzly Peak where fire danger is extremely high and roads are narrow, and we expect similar results this year,” Oakland Fire Department Chief Reginald Freeman said.

Intersections along Grizzly Peak that have electronic signage and personnel to prevent through traffic are at Centennial Drive, S Park Drive, Lomas Cantada, Claremont Avenue and Skyline Boulevard.

Grizzly Peak Boulevard, Panoramic Way closed to non-residents on July 4
Starting 5am July 4, Grizzly Peak Boulevard will be closed between Centennial Drive and Skyline Boulevard to all traffic except residents traveling to their homes in the area. The closure will last through 6am July 5.

Turn-outs along Grizzly Peak will be closed and no stopping will be allowed. The Lawrence Hall of Science and UC Botanical Gardens will also be closed.

Traffic posts will be in place to prevent thru traffic at:

  • Stadium Rim Way at Centennial
  • Centennial and Grizzly Peak
  • Lomas Cantadas & Grizzly Peak
  • Fish Ranch Rd / Grizzly Peak / Claremont
  • Personnel will not allow traffic past these points unless they can show residency on Grizzly Peak or in the immediate area.

This closure is being coordinated in partnership with surrounding agencies including UC Berkeley, the City of Oakland, the East Bay Regional Park District, and Alameda County in order to mitigate fire risk and preserve access for emergency vehicles to respond to any threat quickly.

On July 4, Panoramic Way at Prospect St. will also be closed to non-residents from 5pm to 11pm.

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