Overview
Foothills Park — officially renamed Foothills Nature Preserve — is 1,400 acres of oak savanna, chaparral, and creek canyon tucked into the Santa Cruz Mountain foothills at the edge of Palo Alto. It was restricted to Palo Alto residents for decades, but a 2021 federal court order opened it permanently to the public. Most Bay Area families still don't know it's accessible, which means 15 miles of trails through genuine wilderness and a 10-acre lake with boating and fishing, all reliably uncrowded. The park sits at the top of Page Mill Road and feels nothing like the manicured regional parks on the valley floor.
How to Do It
The entrance is at 3300 Page Mill Road in Palo Alto, at the top of a winding climb up Page Mill. There's a fee station at the entrance where you pay $6 per vehicle. The Interpretive Center just inside the gate has trail maps, restrooms, and exhibits worth a quick stop to orient the group. From there, the most family-friendly route is the Foothills Highlights Loop — a 3.2-mile circuit that passes Boronda Lake, Vista Hill, and Arbolejo Overlook with views of the Stanford Dish and Mt. Tam on clear days. For shorter legs, the flat path around Boronda Lake alone is about a mile and has plenty of shade from the oaks. The lake allows non-motorized, hand-launched watercraft, so a packable kayak or canoe opens up the experience considerably. Picnic areas with BBQ pits are scattered throughout, and the Oak Grove picnic area near the entrance has the best facilities for a full family setup.
Tips & Tricks
Arrive early on weekend mornings, especially in spring and early summer. The park caps attendance at 120 vehicles (roughly 300 people) and does turn visitors away at the entrance when that limit is reached. The parking lot fills from the late morning on popular weekends, and there is no overflow parking on Page Mill Road. Weekday mornings are consistently uncrowded regardless of season.
Dogs are allowed on weekdays only, on leash. On weekends and city holidays, dogs cannot enter — even left in the car. If your crew includes a dog, plan accordingly or come Monday-Friday.
The Boronda Lake area is the payoff for most family visits. The 10-acre lake has ducks, turtles, and the occasional great blue heron, and the path around it is flat enough for kids who are just getting into longer walks. Bring binoculars. Fishing requires a valid California fishing license, and the lake is catch-and-release. There is no swimming — the lake is not open for it.
The longer trails toward Vista Hill and the Los Trancos connector get serious fast — chaparral, exposed ridgeline, and significant elevation. These are excellent for fit families with kids 6+ but are not casual strolls. Pick up a trail map at the Interpretive Center before heading out and stick to marked trails; the preserve does not allow off-trail travel.
Planning
Admission is $6 per vehicle. Annual passes are available: $50/year for Palo Alto residents and $65/year for non-residents, with a 25% senior discount. Pedestrians, cyclists, students with valid ID, military, veterans, and those with disability placards enter free. The park is open daily 8 a.m. to sunset; last entry is 30 minutes before close.
Best months are April through October, when the chaparral is green and Boronda Lake is accessible without muddy trails. Summer visits work well for the early morning hours before heat builds. The reserve gets cold and rainy November through March, though winter weekday visits are completely empty and the creek runs full. Avoid going during heat advisories — there's limited shade on the upper trails and no water beyond the facilities near the entrance.
Bring water for everyone (no fountains on the upper trails), snacks, and layers. The ridgeline gets wind. Kids 4 and up can handle the lake loop comfortably; the full Highlights Loop suits ages 5 and up at a comfortable pace.