Open Space Preserves
Note: We welcome you to enjoy a walk in a park or an open space preserve while maintaining social distancing of more than 6 feet from persons outside of your household. When letting others pass on trails, be aware of snakes, ticks, Poison Oak and your footing when making room off the trail. In order to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of the public and staff, please follow the Santa Clara County Health Order.
The mission of Open Space is to protect and interpret the resources and wildlife entrusted to Palo Alto for the enjoyment of future generations. The preserves offer trails from the marshes of the bay to the redwoods of the Santa Cruz mountains.
Baylands Preserve
- The Baylands Preserve has some of the last remaining salt marsh and mud flat habitats on the west coast. It offers excellent birding year round.
Esther Clark Nature Preserve
Foothills Nature Preserve
- Foothills Nature Preserve is a 1,400-acre preserve with rugged chaparral, woodland, fields, and a lake. Hike on 15 miles of trail, have a picnic, or enjoy spectacular views of the bay from Vista Hill. This park is open to all guests.
Pearson - Arastradero Preserve
- Pearson - Arastradero Preserve is a beautiful mixture of rolling grassland and broadleaf evergreen forest. Each area of the preserve has something different: views of the bay, a quiet grassland stroll, or a snooze by the lake.