On this page
San Francisco Bay shapes Palo Alto more than most visitors notice. The city's eastern edge is tidal marsh and the hills to the west rise high enough to show the whole South Bay at once, from the salt ponds to Mount Diablo. There are two ways to enjoy it on foot: walk the flat levees right beside the water, or climb a little and look down.
This guide picks ten trails, half on the shore and half in the foothills. Distances come from the managing agency or our park pages. The shore walks are flat and windy. The hill walks climb a few hundred feet. For the regional trail that links the shoreline parks, see our Bay Trail guide.
The bay view hikes at a glance
| Trail | Distance | Terrain | Dogs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baylands boardwalk and levees | About 0.5 mile round trip, more on levees | Flat | Leashed, not Renzel Ponds |
| Byxbee Park Hills | 30 to 45 minute loop | Gentle hills | Leashed |
| Ravenswood Bay Trail | 2.1 miles | Flat, mostly paved | No |
| Bedwell Bayfront perimeter | 2.3-mile loop | Relatively flat | Leashed |
| Coyote Hills Bayview Trail | 3.5-mile loop | Paved, rolling | Leashed |
| Tidelands Trail, Don Edwards | 1 to 1.4-mile loop | Levee and upland | Leashed |
| Stanford Dish | About 3.5 miles | Paved, steep pitches | No |
| Redtail Loop, Arastradero | 1.5 miles | Grades up to 15 percent | Leashed |
| Highlights loop, Foothills | About 3 miles | Climbing | Weekdays only |
| Cloud's Rest, Coal Creek | 0.9 mile out and back | Open meadow | Leashed |
The Palo Alto shoreline
Baylands boardwalk and levees
The boardwalk from the Lucy Evans nature center runs about a quarter mile straight across the marsh to open water, with the East Bay hills on the far shore. From there, levee trails follow the sloughs. The preserve covers 1,940 acres and about 15 miles of multi-use trail. Go at high tide for birds close in, or low tide for the mudflats.
- Dogs and bikes: leashed dogs except on Renzel Ponds trails. Bikes on levees, helmets required, 15 mph.
- Parking and fees: free lots at the end of Embarcadero Road. Open 8 a.m. to sunset.
- Best season: November to February for huge flocks of ducks and shorebirds.
- Watch for: Valley Water's tide gate work has closed parts of the Adobe Creek Loop at times; see our Adobe Creek page.
Our Baylands guide covers birding by season.
Byxbee Park Hills
The low hills south of Embarcadero Road are a capped landfill reshaped into grassland and land art. From the top you look west across the marsh to the Santa Cruz Mountains and east over the bay. Gravel paths climb gently past the Pole Field. A loop takes 30 to 45 minutes at an easy pace.
- Dogs and bikes: leashed dogs on a leash of six feet or less. Walking and bicycling trails.
- Parking and fees: free. The Byxbee Park Hills lot gate closes at the time posted at the entrance.
- Best season: late afternoon in fall and winter for low light.
- Watch for: no shade and steady wind.
See our Byxbee Park guide for the art.
.jpg){kind=link}
North along the shore
Ravenswood Bay Trail, East Palo Alto
Midpen says most of the 2.1-mile Bay Trail through Ravenswood is paved and runs on a levee beside Cooley Marsh. A raised boardwalk with overlooks links it to University Avenue. Midpen says the trail and decks are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Its easy-access list gives the trail as 1.9 miles.
- Dogs and bikes: no dogs. Bikes welcome, helmets required. Class 1 and 2 e-bikes on limited improved trails.
- Parking and fees: 12 spaces plus 1 accessible at the end of Bay Road. Free. No restrooms.
- Best season: winter, when shorebirds feed on the mud at low tide.
Our Ravenswood guide has the tide tips.
Bedwell Bayfront Park, Menlo Park
Menlo Park describes a relatively flat 2.3-mile loop around the edge of this 160-acre park, part of the Bay Trail. Steeper interior paths climb the hills built on the old landfill. From the top knoll you get a 360-degree view of salt ponds, marsh and the bay.
- Dogs and bikes: leashed dogs at all times. Bikes only on paved trails and roads.
- Parking and fees: free lots off Marsh Road. Gates open 7 a.m.; closing time changes by month.
- Best season: fall and winter.
See our Bedwell Bayfront guide.
Across the Dumbarton Bridge
Bayview Trail, Coyote Hills
The East Bay Regional Park District's 3.5-mile Bayview Trail is a paved loop around the hills. Its western side follows the shoreline with views over salt marsh and the bay back to the Peninsula. It connects to the Alameda Creek Trail and the wildlife refuge. The visitor center tells the story of the Tuibun Ohlone shellmounds.
- Dogs and bikes: leashed dogs on paved trails. Bikes allowed on the Bayview Trail.
- Parking and fees: $5 per vehicle. Gates 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through November 27, then 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Best season: winter and spring.
- Watch for: dogs are not permitted in wetlands or marsh areas.
Our Coyote Hills guide covers the drive.
Tidelands Trail, Don Edwards Refuge
Near the refuge headquarters in Fremont, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service describes a loop of 1 to 1.4 miles through uplands, tidal slough, salt pond and marsh. Shorebirds and grebes crowd the pond in winter. Cross the footbridge for the 5.11-mile Newark Slough loop.
- Dogs and bikes: leashed dogs on this trail, one of only four routes where the refuge allows them. Bikes on many levees.
- Parking and fees: 1 Marshlands Road. The vehicle gate opens 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. No entry fee is listed.
- Best season: winter.
See our Don Edwards Refuge guide.
Looking down from the foothills
The Stanford Dish
Stanford calls the paved loop 3.5 miles. It climbs from about 176 feet at the Stanford Avenue gate to about 526 feet, with views from the bay to the Santa Cruz Mountains. The climbs are short and steep.
- Dogs and bikes: neither is allowed.
- Parking and fees: free street parking near the gates. Open 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in November and December, per dish.stanford.edu.
- Best season: February to April, when the hills are green.
- Watch for: no shade and closures on Red Flag days.
Our Dish guide covers the gates.
Redtail Loop, Pearson-Arastradero
The city lists the Redtail Loop at 1.5 miles of hilly grassland with grades up to 15 percent. It gives views back toward the bay from the open slopes.
- Dogs and bikes: leashed dogs and bikes share the trail.
- Parking and fees: free lot at 1530 Arastradero Road. 8 a.m. to sunset.
- Best season: spring, before the grass turns gold. Watch for rattlesnakes on warm days.
See our Arastradero guide.
Highlights loop, Foothills Nature Preserve
Combine the Toyon, Woodrat and Chamise trails for a loop of about 3 miles to Boronda Lake, Vista Hill and Arbolejo Overlook. Vista Hill gives a wide view of the bay and, in clear weather, Mount Diablo and Mount Tamalpais.
- Dogs and bikes: leashed dogs on weekdays only. Bikes on paved park roads, not trails.
- Parking and fees: $6 per vehicle. A visitor cap can close the gate on busy weekends.
- Best season: clear winter days after a storm for the longest views.
Our Foothills guide explains the cap.
Cloud's Rest, Coal Creek
Midpen describes a 0.9-mile out and back through grassy meadows below Skyline with stunning views of the South Bay. Join the Meadow Trail and Alpine Road for a 2.4-mile loop.
- Dogs and bikes: leashed dogs. Bikes allowed with helmets.
- Parking and fees: Upper Alpine roadside, 7 spaces. Free.
- Best season: cool, clear fall days. The meadows are open and sunny, so bring a hat.
See our Coal Creek guide.
Tips for bay walks
Good to know
- Go early. Wind builds most afternoons and makes birding harder.
- Check a tide table. High tide brings birds close; low tide shows the mudflats.
- Levees turn sticky for a day or two after rain. Use paved routes until they dry.
- Bring binoculars. Our birdwatching guide lists what to look for.
The shoreline trails are as good on two wheels as on foot. If you did not bring a bike, you can compare bike rentals and ride the Bay Trail from the Baylands.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I hike with a view of the bay near Palo Alto?
On the shore, the Baylands boardwalk and the hills of Byxbee Park look across the marsh to the bay. Above town, the Stanford Dish, the Redtail Loop at Pearson-Arastradero and Vista Hill at Foothills Nature Preserve all look down over the South Bay.
What is the best flat bay walk near Palo Alto?
The Baylands levees and the Ravenswood Bay Trail are both flat. Midpen says most of the 2.1-mile Bay Trail through Ravenswood is paved and accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Bedwell Bayfront Park in Menlo Park has a relatively flat 2.3-mile perimeter loop.
Can I bring my dog on bay trails?
Leashed dogs are allowed at the Baylands except on trails around the Renzel Ponds, at Byxbee Park, at Bedwell Bayfront Park and on paved trails at Coyote Hills. Ravenswood bans dogs. At the Don Edwards refuge, dogs are allowed only on a few Fremont routes, including the Tidelands Trail.
When is the best time for a bay walk?
Morning. Wind usually builds over the bay in the afternoon. Late fall through early spring brings the most ducks and shorebirds and often the clearest air.
Is there shade on the Bay Trail?
Almost none. The levees and landfill hills are open to sun and wind. Bring a hat, sunscreen, water and a windbreaker even on cool days.