Stand on the walkway at the edge of the Billings reservoir in Riacho Grande and the city changes character: water in front of you, the forested wall of the Serra do Mar behind, and the traffic of the Anchieta somewhere out of sight. São Bernardo do Campo is an industrial city that keeps its best hours for the edges, where the reservoir, the state park and an old colonial road begin.
This guide suits travellers based in São Paulo who want a day or two of walking, water and forest rather than another urban itinerary, and who are willing to travel out to the Riacho Grande district to get it. It covers the sights and activities the sources describe, with the practical details you need to string them together.
Top things to do in São Bernardo do Campo
1. Caminhos do Mar route
An 8-km walking route that runs from the south of Riacho Grande down to the city of Cubatão, following a deactivated motorway through Parque Estadual Serra do Mar. It passes the largest patch of preserved Atlantic rainforest remaining in Brazil and gives views over the mountain range of Baixada Santista and the industrial complex of Cubatão; on sunny days you can spot the sea.
Along the way are eight monuments built in 1922 to celebrate the Independence of Brazil, plus the Calçada de Lorena, a road constructed in the country's Imperial era. The route is free. If you intend to return the same way, plan for a serious uphill climb.
2. Parque Municipal Estoril
A park and zoo on the shore of the Billings reservoir, mostly covered by Atlantic rainforest. It holds a zoo with 250 animals and offers activities such as paddle boats and cable cars, along with boat rides over the reservoir. The sunset from the west side of the park is an attraction in its own right.
It is close to the Riacho Grande district centre, which makes it easy to combine with the beach and the reservoir. The park is open Wednesday to Sunday, 09:00–17:00, and is being revitalized.
3. Prainha de Riacho Grande (Praia de Paulista)
A freshwater beach by the Billings reservoir, set in the central village of Riacho Grande. It is the simplest way to spend time by the water in the district, and it pairs naturally with the park and the reservoir activities nearby.
From the main district of São Bernardo, take a right on Rod. Anchieta after crossing the Billings reservoir to reach it.
4. Serra do Mar State Park
The state park protects the Atlantic rainforest that covers the mountain range above the city. Trekking at the Núcleo Itutinga-Pilões is one of the listed ways to experience it.
Treat this as a walking destination rather than a quick stop, and note that the Caminhos do Mar route also passes across Parque Estadual Serra do Mar, so the two can be understood as part of the same forested area.
5. Billings reservoir
The reservoir is the setting for the district's water-based activities: fishing and nautical sports are both possible here. Even without a boat, the reservoir is what gives Riacho Grande its character and its views.
Combine it with the beach and the park for a full day in the district rather than treating it as a separate stop.
6. Cidade das Crianças (Children's City)
A children's attraction on Via Anchieta at km 18.5 in Jardim do Mar. It is the most obviously family-oriented stop in the sources, and its location on the Anchieta puts it on the way to or from the Riacho Grande district.
7. Teatro Cacilda Becker
One of the city's theatres, and a reasonable evening option if you want to end a day with a performance rather than another outdoor stop.
8. Teatro Elis Regina
Another of the city's theatres. Like the Cacilda Becker, it is a cultural stop rather than a sight, and worth checking what is on before you build an evening around it.
9. Teatro Lauro Gomes
A theatre on Rua Helena Jacquey in Rudge Ramos. It gives you a third option for an evening in the city, and its Rudge Ramos location is separate from the Riacho Grande cluster.
10. Parque Rafael Lazzuri
A city park and one of the green spaces named in the sources. It works as a lower-key alternative when you do not want to travel out to the reservoir district.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start early on the Caminhos do Mar route from the south of Riacho Grande, walking the deactivated motorway through Parque Estadual Serra do Mar past the 1922 independence monuments and the Calçada de Lorena. Go as far as you are comfortable, keeping in mind that returning the same way means a serious uphill climb.
Afternoon: Return to Riacho Grande and spend the middle of the day at Parque Municipal Estoril, taking in the zoo, the rainforest and a paddle boat or boat ride on the Billings reservoir. Follow it with time at Prainha de Riacho Grande, the freshwater beach in the district's central village.
Evening: Stay for the sunset from the west side of Parque Municipal Estoril, then head back into the city for a performance at Teatro Cacilda Becker, Teatro Elis Regina or Teatro Lauro Gomes.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Parque Municipal Estoril?
The park is open Wednesday to Sunday, 09:00–17:00. If you want the sunset from the west side, plan your visit for the end of the day within those hours.
Do I need to pay to walk the Caminhos do Mar route?
No. The route is free. It runs 8 km from the south of Riacho Grande to Cubatão, and if you return by the same route you should be prepared for a serious uphill climb.
How do I get to Prainha de Riacho Grande from the main district?
From São Bernardo's main district, take a right on Rod. Anchieta after crossing the Billings reservoir. The beach is in the central village of Riacho Grande.
What can I do on the Billings reservoir?
Fishing and nautical sports are both possible on the reservoir. Boat rides over the reservoir are also offered at Parque Municipal Estoril.
Decide whether your priority is the forest walk or the water, pick the matching half of the Riacho Grande district, and start planning your day around it.