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 the ranger station at 650-617-3156.
• 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

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

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:

Wednesday - Friday, 2-5 pm

Saturday and Sunday, 10am-2pm

 Winter Hours (Nov. 15 - Jan. 31)

 Wednesday - Friday, 1-4 pm

 Saturday and Sunday 10am-2pm

Starting March 1st, public hours at the Nature Center will be as follows:

Wednesday & Thursday, 1-4 pm

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.