UPDATE as of Sunday, 6/7/2020

Baylands Nature Preserve is reopened to vehicles. Restrooms are open, but all benches and water fountains remain closed. The Baylands Interpretive Center remains closed.

Please respect other park visitors and keep at least 6 feet apart if not of the same household. When letting others pass on trails, be aware of snakes, ticks and your footing when making room off the trail.

Closures are in the interest of public health and safety and in alignment with the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department’s order to shelter in place. The City is urging the community to stay at home. This will save lives. If large crowds continue at our parks and Open Space Preserves, we will have no choice but to close them for the safety of the whole community. Please stay close to home. Thank you for your understanding. 

Baylands Nature Preserve

Bounded by Mountain View and East Palo Alto, the 1,940-acre Baylands Preserve is one of the largest tracts of undisturbed marshland remaining in the San Francisco Bay. Fifteen miles of multi-use trails provide access to a unique mixture of tidal and fresh water habitats.

Many consider this area to be one of the best bird watching areas on the west coast. The preserve has a substantial resident population of birds as well as being a major migratory stopover on the Pacific Flyway.

Things To Do

Include walking, running or biking on 15 miles of trails; bird watching; wind surfing and boating (non-motorized craft such as canoes, kayaks or small, hand-launched boats and sailboards). The city also offers a variety of nature walks and programs on ecology and natural history. Activities and Programs 

Preserve Rules

These are a few of the rules to help everyone enjoy this nature preserve:

• Dogs must be on leash at all times.

  Report dogs off leash to Palo Alto Communications at (650) 329-2413.

• No collecting of plants or animals.
• Groups and Special Events of 25 or more must have a permit.  

Baylands Nature Preserve 
Ranger Station
2500 Embarcadero Road
Palo Alto, CA 94303
650-617-3156
open.space@cityofpaloalto.org
Location Map

Park Hours
Open every day of the year from 8:00 a.m. until a specific time based on sunset. 

Baylands Trail Map

Palo Alto Open Space Trail Map

Special Events Permit and Application

Baylands For Tomorrow - A community outreach volunteer work

Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center
2775 Embarcadero Road
650-329-2506 

Hours of Operation:

Due to COVID-19, the Interpretive Center will be closed until further notice.

Wednesday, 2 - 4pm

Thursday, 2 - 5pm

Saturday, 10am - 3pm

Sunday, 10am - 4pm

Holiday Closures:

November 22nd & 23rd

Dec. 25th and Jan. 1st

Sunday Naturalist Walks: 

Free program; meets in the Nature Center lobby at 10:30 and 12:30

To rent, call the Junior Museum and Zoo at 650-329-2111
Location Map


Environmental Volunteers
2560 Embarcadero Road
Palo Alto, CA 94303
650 493 6800


Byxbee Park Hills (Art Park) 
2375 Embarcadero Road 
650-617-3156
Location Map

Baylands Athletic Center 
(baseball and softball)
1900 Geng Road 
650-329-2697
Location Map

Picnic Area 
2500 Embarcadero Road
Adjacent to the Ranger Station Available first-come, first-serve for groups of 24 or fewer. For larger groups, see the Groups and Special Events page.