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Most Midpen preserves near Palo Alto are up in the hills. Ravenswood is the exception. The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, known as Midpen, manages 376 acres of tidal marsh on the edge of San Francisco Bay in East Palo Alto. A flat, easy-access trail for walkers and cyclists runs along the levee around the marsh. Midpen calls the preserve a great place for birdwatching and family adventures.
It is also one of the easiest Midpen preserves to reach from town. You can drive there in minutes, ride over on the Bay Trail or walk in from University Avenue. This guide covers the entrances and parking, the trail and boardwalk, the rules for bikes and e-bikes, the birds to look for and the history of a marsh that spent decades as a salt pond.
Getting there and parking
From downtown Palo Alto, drive east on University Avenue across Highway 101 into East Palo Alto. Midpen's directions from Highway 101 are the same route: take the University Avenue exit toward East Palo Alto. From southbound 101 turn right on University. From northbound 101 turn left on Donohoe Street, then right on University. Then:
- Continue north on University Avenue for about 3 long blocks.
- Turn right on Bay Road.
- Follow Bay Road to the very end, through gate RW01, about 1 mile in all. Bay Road narrows and becomes a dirt road.
- The preserve parking area is on the left.
| Parking area | Spaces | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ravenswood Parking Area | 12 plus 1 accessible | Midpen lot at the end of Bay Road |
| Cooley Landing Parking Area | 28 plus 2 accessible | Run by the City of East Palo Alto |
| University Avenue trailhead | None | Walk-in and bike entrance 500 feet north of Purdue Avenue |
The Midpen lot is small. Many people arrive on foot or by bike, as our Bay Trail guide notes. Midpen does not charge entry or parking fees. There are no restrooms in the preserve itself.
Hours
Like other Midpen preserves, Ravenswood opens half an hour before sunrise and closes half an hour after sunset. There is one exception. The section of the San Francisco Bay Trail between University Avenue and Bay Road works as a commuter route and is open to through traffic from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. That lets cyclists use it on dark winter mornings and evenings. Stay on the trail outside preserve hours.
The Bay Trail, boardwalk and overlooks
Midpen says most of the 2.1-mile Bay Trail within the preserve is paved. Its easy-access list gives the same segment as 1.9 miles. It runs on top of a levee alongside Cooley Marsh. A raised boardwalk with overlooks and interpretive signs connects University Avenue to the preserve. The trail and observation decks are accessible to visitors using wheelchairs or strollers. Overlook platforms stand at each end of the trail and along the boardwalk. Midpen suggests them for birdwatching or for watching the tide roll out.
The trails here are part of the San Francisco Bay Trail. Midpen describes it as a planned 500-mile walking and cycling path around the whole bay, through all nine Bay Area counties and 47 cities, with over 350 miles in place. From Ravenswood you can continue north toward Bedwell Bayfront Park in Menlo Park or south past Cooley Landing toward the Palo Alto Baylands.
The northern area
A separate northern part of the preserve has its own entrance off a frontage road near the Dumbarton Bridge approach. Midpen says it has a 0.7-mile easy-access trail and roadside parking. It is a quieter option.
Cooley Landing next door
The City of East Palo Alto runs the Cooley Landing Education Center beside the preserve. Midpen notes its walking trails, picnic tables, educational signs and outdoor amphitheater. Our Cooley Landing guide has details. Pair the two for an easy half day.
Birds and the tidal marsh
Midpen says the marsh draws many migrating birds, including sandpipers, dowitchers and avocets. Great blue herons, white pelicans and egrets are also common. The marsh plants shelter the endangered Ridgway's rail and the salt marsh harvest mouse.
The tide moves in and out of the marsh several times a day, changing the scene. At high tide the wetland becomes a maze of channels through cordgrass and pickleweed, plants that thrive in brackish water. At low tide the water drains away and exposes mud where birds feed. Midpen also points out that the marsh acts as a sponge and a buffer, absorbing bay and creek water during high tides and rising seas.
Good to know
- Bring binoculars. The overlooks give the best views across the marsh.
- Check a tide table. Midpen notes that low tide exposes the mud where birds feed.
- There is little shade on the levee. Bring sun protection and water.
- No restrooms in the preserve. Plan ahead.
Our birdwatching guide covers other bayside spots, including the Palo Alto Baylands.
Rules for bikes, dogs and horses
- Bikes: Midpen's preserve page says designated trails only, marked on the map. Its biking page lists Ravenswood as open to bikes on all trails. Helmets are required. The speed limit is 15 mph, or 5 mph when passing or on blind turns. Announce yourself when passing walkers.
- E-bikes: Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are allowed on limited improved trails here. Midpen allows them on only one other preserve, Rancho San Antonio. Consult the preserve map.
- Dogs: not allowed. Service dogs are accommodated.
- Horses: not allowed.
- Groups: permits are required for all groups of 20 or more.
- Also prohibited: drones and model aircraft, fires, smoking, swimming or wading and weapons. Leave plants and wildlife undisturbed.
Our biking guide has more bay rides.
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Seasons and events
Midpen highlights migrating birds here, so the cooler months, when many shorebirds winter around the bay, are a good time to bring binoculars. Winter storms can leave the unpaved stretches muddy. Spring is mild and green. Summer afternoons often bring wind off the bay. Midpen's calendar lists a Tidal Marsh Appreciation outing on November 15, 2026. See our nature programs guide for other guided walks.
Safety
The levee is flat and easy, but Midpen's general advice still applies. Carry water, since drinking water is not available at most preserves. Wear sunscreen and dress in layers. Lock your car and keep valuables out of sight. Call 911 in an emergency and 650-691-1200 for anything else.
- Share the trail: this is a commuter route. Keep right and watch for fast bikes.
- Wildlife: do not approach, startle or feed animals. Stay on the levee and boardwalk.
- Water: swimming, wading and any water contact are prohibited.
- Ticks and rattlesnakes: Midpen lists them as present on its preserves. Stay on the trail.
History
Midpen says the preserve takes its name from a gold rush-era town that once stood on the bay shore near present-day East Palo Alto. In the 1950s the Leslie Salt Company surrounded the marsh with levees to keep out the tides and turned it into a salt production pond. Midpen bought the property from Leslie Salt in 1981 and opened Ravenswood to the public in 1989. Restoration began in 2000, when Midpen breached the old levees and let bay water bring the marsh back to life. The larger southern area near Cooley Landing was funded by the Coastal Conservancy through a joint effort by San Mateo County and Midpen. For the bigger story of the shoreline, see our history of the Baylands.
Frequently asked questions
Where do you park for Ravenswood Preserve?
Midpen's lot is at the very end of Bay Road in East Palo Alto, through gate RW01, with 12 spaces plus 1 accessible space. Bay Road narrows to a dirt road near the end. The City of East Palo Alto's Cooley Landing lot has 28 spaces plus 2 accessible. There is no parking at the University Avenue trailhead.
Are dogs allowed at Ravenswood Preserve?
No. Midpen does not allow dogs or horses in this preserve. The marsh shelters the endangered Ridgway's rail and salt marsh harvest mouse. Service dogs are accommodated under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Can you ride an e-bike at Ravenswood?
Yes, with limits. Midpen allows Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes on limited improved trails at Ravenswood, one of only two places on Midpen land where they are allowed. Check the preserve map. Regular bikes are welcome, helmets are required and the speed limit is 15 mph, or 5 mph when passing.
How long is the trail at Ravenswood?
Midpen's preserve page says the Bay Trail runs 2.1 miles within the preserve, mostly paved, on a levee beside Cooley Marsh. Its easy-access list gives 1.9 miles. A raised boardwalk links it to University Avenue. A separate northern area near the Dumbarton Bridge approach has a 0.7-mile easy-access trail.
When is Ravenswood Preserve open?
The preserve opens half an hour before sunrise and closes half an hour after sunset. Midpen keeps the Bay Trail section between University Avenue and Bay Road open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. for commuters passing through.