Not my first time here, but I checked out the Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center, the…read morePalo Alto Duck Pond, and the Mundy Marsh this past Sunday. Parked in one of several parking lots on site, with signs clearly stating that gates lock at 9pm (in summer). Saw a variety of birds (song sparrows, pigeons, ducks, geese, egrets, and pelicans) in the saltmarsh and mudflats and along the trails, as I explored displays about the lovely creatures, their bird calls, habitats, and more in the nature center (open on weekends). There's even a great boardwalk and observation deck stretching out back, offering scenic views and a peaceful atmosphere. The trails here are awesome for running if you want to be among nature, and the variety of terrains, especially the dirt and gravel pathways, are ideal if you wanna go easy on your joints. I certainly took advantage during my recent visit.

At nearly 2000 acres, The preserve is one of the biggest areas of protected marshlands on the Bay…read more It is teeming with wildlife and the like and parts of it are part of the SF Bay Trail. There is an established trail system and as both a biker and a pedestrian, both sides need perhaps a bit more civility on the trails. I am also perpetually dismayed by the amount of litter and yes those blue dog poop bags (Like you already bagged then left it?). It is a great spot for kids and the duck pond, Byxbee Park, and the Interpretive center will keep things interesting. Some services like bathrooms and water fountains but they may be closed depending on the time you are there.

An underrated gem hiding in plain sight Pearson-Arastradero…read morePreserve genuinely surprised me. The Arastradero Creek + Acorn Loop (~2.5 miles) packs in way more variety than you'd expect from a short trail -- you start in cool, shaded creek corridor that feels completely removed from the suburbs, then the path opens up into sweeping golden grasslands with those big, open Bay Area skies that make you remember why you live here. The difficulty sits right at that sweet spot between "actually a walk in the park" and "satisfying enough to feel like a real hike." Elevation gain is gentle but present, terrain is well-maintained dirt trail, and the whole loop flows naturally without any confusing junctions. Wildlife spotting is a real highlight -- keep your eyes up and you'll likely catch red-tailed hawks riding thermals over the hills. Early morning is magical here. So is sunset. A few practical notes: parking is free, dogs are welcome on leash, and the trailhead is easy to find off Arastradero Road. It never felt overcrowded on my visit, which for the Bay Area is honestly remarkable. If you're in Palo Alto or anywhere on the Peninsula and need a quick mental reset without a long drive, this is the move. One of those places you'll want to keep to yourself -- but can't help telling people about.

Decided to go running here this past weekend and was glad there was no winding road on the drive…read moreover. Appreciated the conveniences I found, including a strong cell phone signal in the area, a parking lot on site, and restrooms at the gateway building just steps away. There was a bit of seating and several nature exhibits educating visitors about the surrounding habitats. Interactive displays included bird calls of the quail, red-shouldered hawk, and meadowlark, and animal tracks of creatures like raccoons, bobcats, deer, and coyotes imprinted with descriptions. Deer, coyote, and rabbit scat too, though I found the accuracy of this display questionable. The only actual poop I saw on the trail was horse manure... piles of it. The place had multiple trails with easy access from the parking lot. I mainly hiked the Redtail Loop which stretched through the grassy hills, with scenic views and a few benches along the way, and of course plenty of clear signs noting the connecting trails and miles on each marker as well as the path to Arastradero Lake. The gateway facility and trails appeared to be well kept, a great setting altogether for getting your steps in or just taking in the fresh air and tranquil environment.

Not much more to say that wasn't already written. This is a great place to hike. Note that no bikes…read moreare allowed which makes for a safe and comfortable hiking environment (coming from someone who enjoys cycling). They do have a lot of bike rack parking at the base of the hill, and there is often a ranger or someone at the booth, which is nice as this means someone can keep an eye on your bicycle. I really like that it's paved in a nice circular path, with ample room for people to pass each other on the path. Also, the hike has a nice mix of undulating hills and incredible views, so there's a variety along your hike. I always spot wildlife when I'm hiding, so just keep your eyes open. There is one large portable bathroom at the base of the hill, but otherwise, no other facilities (I believe no access to drinking water on the path either). As other reviewers have mentioned, parking can be quite difficult to find, even if you're willing to walk. The best thing is to get there early!

Nice place to get a decent workout in with gorgeous views of Palo Alto…read more Have to park but of a ways down from the entrance which could be street parking if you're lucky or parking at the high school. Can take various trails around the dish. It's not a very shaded hike, so should have hats/visors/sunnies ready. If you're lucky, may even see some adorable wildlife. Good majority is paved.

This is a great place when you need the get out of the office and sit under a tree to reflect on…read morewhat is really important in life. When it is quite and you close your eyes you can forget that you are so close to a downtown area. Just a bit noisy when the train comes by.

This park is well worth the wait! The old Meyer Library basement is now a sunken park, right…read morebetween the School of Education, the Law School, and Green Library. Beautiful view of both belltowers on campus, verdant lawns, and plenty of bike parking! Picnic tables and a small amphitheater setup complete the picture. And some ash-tray equipped benches for smokers.

My dog liked to come here, so I thought it would be nice to bury him here. Apparently that is…read moreillegal. So I didn't do it. Lovely park.

We like using this one as a quiet downtown break -- it's right by the library and good for little…read moreones learning to walk. No play structure, but a nice open space. -Play Area: No playground, but open grassy areas suitable for toddlers to explore. -Amenities: Benches and picnic tables. -Shade & Scenery: Anchored by a large coast live oak providing ample shade. -Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible with paved walkways. -Parking: Street parking available nearby. -Good for: Families, nannies, caregivers, daycares

I love coming to this park with my dog. It's a wonderful 13.8 mi park. Bol park was named after…read moreStanford physicist Cornelis Bol. Bol Park opened to the public in April 1974. There are two donkeys that live there. They are named April and Buddy. You can see them walking the park with their care takers from time to time. You can meet the donkeys for a walk on Sundays from 10-11 a.m. There use to be three donkeys. The third was named Perry and he passed this year, 2025. Perry was the donkey that Disney's- Shrek's donkey was based off of. They are gentle and sweet and friendly to visitors. You can donate to the donkeys at https://barronparkdonkeys.org. My dog and I love walking the pathways and hanging out around the grass fields and trees. It's a great place for kids because of the cute playground, picnic tables and water fountains.

Cute mini-donkeys live here!…read more So this is a little park with a childrens playground, vast green meadows and little gardens. It connects with a paved walkway both left to right. So the donkey pen is toward the left of the greenery. Walk about 8 minutes and one can see these little cuties! No dogs, feeding, petting or trespassing by the pen. I did not see any restrooms or water fountains. Location is in a residential area. If the little side parking lot is full, lots of shady residential parking spots to borrow.

It had been several years since I last visited this park, but I enjoyed my recent run here on a…read moreTuesday afternoon just before sunset. Parking was easy, and there's a restroom near the main lot for convenience. I appreciated the relaxing atmosphere while taking in the beautiful scenery and exploring the various features of the park. Waterbirds in the pond, lovely trees and vegetation, a few benches scattered throughout, and seemingly endless fields of rolling hills, as well as a creative pattern of trails weaving in and around the park, which made it ideal for running. I even revisited one of the most unique trails here, The Great Spirit Path, a collection of stone sculptures with a nature-themed poem by Susan Dunlap broken up into verses displayed throughout the park (see my separate review for more on "The Great Spirit Path"). I was a little disappointed to find that some of the sculptures, mostly near the parking lot, are missing or destroyed (as of December 2025). But further into the grassy hills, I was glad to see that a majority of the artwork still stands, some marred by vandalism, but most intact having withstood the passing of time. This trail makes for an interesting hike, discovering pieces of art that blend in nicely with the surrounding natural environment.

Appreciate the large open space of several pebble and dirt trails. Good to get some air and…read moreexercise. Good therePlenty of parking! Not much of a view. Smells a bit from the marsh It's alright

This is a nice, quiet smallish park next to some open space. It was a cool evening and I thoroughly…read moreenjoyed running around the park. It was nice to see a lot of families enjoying the park. I thought it was a little cold for a picnic but there were a few who were hanging out on the large lawn.

I almost don't want to write a review of this beautiful little park because it's been our secret…read morefor years. But I'll let you in on it, since unless you live in the area, it's doubtful you'd drive out of your way to get here. And drive you must. Nestled in Stanford Hills, just off of Sand Hill Road, there's no way you'd even notice the place unless you (a) had a dog; or (b) had a kid; and (c) lived nearby. A bit more than three acres of grass with a small little play area for kids, it's the perfect place for dogwalking or lounging on a lazy summer afternoon. Minuses are: there are no swings (just a play structure) and limited shade during peak hours. Pluses are: there are rarely any people here, it's quiet, and you can usually spot birds of prey circling overhead. There are better equipped parks out there (Burgess, for one), but this one is pretty great.