Easy family hikes in and near Palo Alto

A good family hike is short, has something to look at in the middle and ends near a restroom and a snack. Palo Alto has several that fit. You can walk out over a salt marsh on a boardwalk, follow a flat path to a pond with turtles, picnic beside a foothill lake or walk a mile into a valley to see sheep and goats. None of them needs special gear beyond good shoes, water and layers.

This guide covers five outings and describes each trail the way the agency that manages it does. We give distances where they are published and point you to the official page for hours. For longer hikes once the kids are ready, see our guide to the best hikes in and near Palo Alto.

The five hikes at a glance

The first two suit toddlers walking on their own. Boronda Lake works for any age because you choose how far to go. Deer Hollow Farm and Edgewood suit kids of about 5 and up who can manage two miles with a break in the middle.

Baylands boardwalk

The flattest hike in the city is barely a hike at all. Behind the Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center at 2775 Embarcadero Road, a boardwalk runs about a quarter mile across the salt marsh to open water. The first one went up in 1969. Most of it closed for safety in 2014 and the city rebuilt it on the same line. The new version reopened in 2019 with railings and overlooks.

Kids like it because the payoff comes fast. Within a few minutes you are standing over tidal channels with pickleweed on both sides and shorebirds working the mud. Late fall through early spring brings the most birds. The Baylands Nature Preserve is open from 8 a.m. to sunset and entry is free.

To stretch the outing, walk the levee paths toward the Duck Pond, where ducks and geese gather close to the shore. Feeding them is not allowed. Wind picks up most afternoons, so bring a hat with a strap and a jacket even on a warm day inland.

Pearson-Arastradero Preserve

Pearson-Arastradero Preserve at 1530 Arastradero Road is the friendliest dirt hike in town. The city's trail map lists 13 trails across 622 acres of grassland and oak woodland. Most are short and link together, so you can turn around whenever a child runs out of steam.

The walk to Arastradero Lake

The city's map gives the Arastradero Lake trail as 0.57 mile one way, mostly flat with one short rise of about 40 feet. The lake is really a small pond at 352 feet above sea level. Look for turtles on logs and herons along the edge. Plan on about 45 minutes round trip at toddler pace.

A step up: the Redtail Loop

Once kids can handle a climb, the Redtail Loop is the next step. The city lists it at 1.5 miles through hilly grassland with grades up to 15 percent. The view back toward the bay is the reward. Western bluebirds often perch on the fences along the way.

The preserve is open from 8 a.m. to sunset and parking in the main lot is free. Dogs are welcome on leash and bikes share the trails, so teach kids to step to the side when a rider calls out. Rangers close the seasonal trails after rain to protect the clay. Respect the gates and check the city's preserve alerts after a storm.

Boronda Lake at Foothills Nature Preserve

Foothills Nature Preserve sits up Page Mill Road above Interstate 280. It covers about 1,400 acres with about 15 miles of trail, but families rarely need more than the first stop. Boronda Lake lies just inside the gate, with two docks, lawns and picnic tables nearby. Coots and ducks glide across the water on most mornings.

The lake area is the best part of the park for small children or anyone who wants scenery without a climb. Families with older kids can add a short loop up to Vista Hill for a view across the bay. Hand-launched boats without motors, such as canoes and kayaks, are allowed with a life jacket for each person. Swimming and wading are not.

Two rules shape a visit. The city charges $6 per vehicle per day for cars with nine or fewer passengers. City code also caps the number of people inside at 600, so the gate can close on sunny weekends. Arrive in the morning. Dogs are allowed on leash on weekdays only. The preserve is open from 8 a.m. to sunset. Check the city's Foothills page for closures before you drive up.

Rancho San Antonio and Deer Hollow Farm

For many local kids, this is the hike they remember. Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve, entered from Cristo Rey Drive off Foothill Boulevard in Cupertino, has more than 25 miles of trail. The family route is the simplest one: the wide farm road from the main lot to Deer Hollow Farm.

Midpen describes the farm as a 160-year-old working homestead on a historic 10-acre site, with ranch buildings, an organic garden and farm animals. It says the walk from Lot 1 is about a mile, so plan on 2 miles round trip. The farm road is the gentlest route in the park. Kids see sheep and goats from outside the pens, since buildings and pens are closed to casual visitors.

The farm keeps its own hours, listed on Midpen's Deer Hollow Farm page. In October 2026 they were Tuesday and Thursday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., closed Mondays. The preserve itself opens half an hour before sunrise and closes half an hour after sunset. Entry is free. Dogs are not allowed anywhere in the preserve. The lots fill early on weekends, so arrive before 9 a.m. or come on a weekday. Our Rancho San Antonio guide covers parking.

Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve

Edgewood Park at 10 Old Stage Coach Road in Redwood City is a San Mateo County park known for spring wildflowers on serpentine grassland. It covers 467 acres with about 10 miles of trails. Friends of Edgewood describes most trails as easy to moderate. A good first loop climbs the Sylvan Trail or Old Stage Road to the grassland, follows the Serpentine Trail and returns on the Sunset Trail.

The park opens at 8 a.m. daily. From November 2, 2026 it closes at 5 p.m. The Education Center near the main entrance opened on Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in October 2026. Restrooms and three drop-in family picnic areas sit near the entrance. Edgewood is not on the county's list of fee parks. See the county's Edgewood page for current hours.

Wildflower walks with a guide

Friends of Edgewood volunteers lead free wildflower hikes on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from March through May. The full hikes cover about 3 miles in about 3 hours and are aimed at adults and older children. Shorter kid-friendly hikes run on select weekends. Trails are narrow, so leave the stroller at home. Dogs are not allowed and leaving the trail is prohibited.

Safety in the foothills

The dirt preserves share a few hazards worth teaching before you go:

• Poison oak. It grows in every foothill preserve. Show kids the three shiny leaves and keep them on the trail.
• Ticks. Check everyone, including hair and waistbands, after a hike through tall grass.
• Heat. The grassland trails have little shade. Summer afternoons can be far hotter than the bay shore.
• Shared trails. Bikes and horses use some routes. Step aside together and let them pass.
• Wildlife. Keep small children close and in sight. Deer, coyotes and the occasional rattlesnake live in these hills.

How to make it work with kids

1. Give the walk a goal. A pond, a farm or the end of a boardwalk keeps kids moving better than a loop with no landmark.
2. Go early. Parking fills by mid-morning on weekends at Arastradero, Foothills and Rancho San Antonio.
3. Pack more water than you think. Few trailheads have fountains you can count on.
4. Bring a snack for the turnaround point. It turns the halfway mark into an event.
5. Check the weather. Wet clay closes trails at Arastradero and makes Edgewood slippery after rain.

For walks with a stroller instead of small hikers, see our guide to stroller-friendly walks. For guided outings and classes, see nature programs for kids.

Visiting family who want to stay close to the trails often prefer a house with a yard to a hotel room. You can browse vacation rentals near the foothills.

Frequently asked questions