Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve

Resting in between Mountain View and East Palo Alto, the 1,940-acre Baylands Preserve is the largest section of undisturbed marshland in the San Francisco Bay. The nature preserve features fifteen miles of trails that provide access to a wide variety of tidal and fresh water habitats.

Some believe the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve area is one of the best bird watching areas in the western United States. The preserve has a large resident population of birds as well as being a major migratory stop on what is known as the "Pacific Flyway."

There are several outdoor activities that visitors can do at the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve such as walking, running or biking on over 15 miles of trails. , The reserve is a bird watchers haven as there are quite a large variety of birds that can be found at any given time throughout the habitat. Other popular activities include wind surfing, and boating. Only non-motorized crafts such as canoes, kayaks or sailboards are allowed.

Dogs are permitted on leashes throughout most of the reserve except in special nesting areas. There is an adjacent dog park where pet owners can take their dogs off of their leashes.