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Foothills Park Bounded by Portola Valley, Los Altos Hills, Pearson-Arastradero Preserve and Los Trancos Open Space Preserve, the 1,400-acre Foothills Park is a nature lover's paradise. Miles of trails provide access through rugged chaparral, woodlands, fields, streams, and a lake, and provide spectacular views of the Bay Area. Wildlife abounds, and it is common to see deer and coyotes; if you are lucky you might catch a glimpse of a bobcat.
The park is located 2.7 miles west of Hwy. 280 at 3300 Page Mill Road.
(For those using GPS navigation systems or computer maps, we suggest you use '11799 Page Mill Road, Los Altos Hills' as your destination address to be directed close to the park entrance.)
Residency Requirement Foothills Park is open to Palo Alto residents and their accompanied guests only. Proof of residency is required. Guests must be accompanied by a Palo Alto resident. Limit of 15 guests per resident in two additional cars. Please call the Foothills Park rangers for clarification or for additional questions at 650-329-2423. Groups Groups of 25 or more adults and children (both residents and non-residents included) must make a reservation in advance, or get a permit in advance from the supervising ranger. There must be one Palo Alto resident for each 15 non-resident guests. Please visit our Groups and Special Events page for more information.
Groups of 24 or fewer may fill out a small group guest list form, obtained from a ranger in person at the entrance station, on the day of your gathering. All persons attending the gathering must be listed -- residents, non-residents, adults, children -- and may not exceed 24. There must be one Palo Alto resident for each 15 non-resident guests.
Please call the Foothills Park rangers for clarification or for additional questions at 650-329-2423. Preserve Rules
These are a few of the rules to help everyone enjoy this nature preserve: - Dogs are not permitted anywhere in Foothills Park on weekends or city holidays. Dogs are only permitted on weekdays and must be on leash under physical control at all times. More information is on our Dogs page.
- Groups of 25 or more adults and children (both residents and non-residents included) must make a reservation in advance, or, for groups such as hiking-only groups, must get a permit in writing in advance from the supervising ranger. There must be one Palo Alto resident for each 15 non-resident guests. See our Groups and Special Events page for more information, or call the rangers at 650-329-2423.
- Groups of 24 or fewer may fill out a small group guest list form, obtained from a ranger in person at the entrance station, on the day of your gathering. All persons attending the gathering must be listed -- residents, non-residents, adults, children -- and may not exceed 24. There must be one Palo Alto resident for each 15 non-resident guests. See our Groups and Special Events page for more information, or call the rangers at 650-329-2423.
- Bicycles are allowed on paved roads only, and not on trails. All bicyclists must wear helmets.
- Coasting devices (i.e., skates, roller blades, scooters and skateboards) are not allowed in Open Space.
- Fires and barbecues are restricted to designated areas. Staff may restrict usage depending on fire danger.
- Use park barbecues for charcoal fires only; no wood fires.
- No collecting of plants or animals.
- No smoking anywhere within Open Space nature preserves.
- No remote control devices, for articles such as boats, planes, quadcopters.
See the Rules and Regulations page for more information, or call the rangers at 650-329-2423. Know Before You Go
Foothills Park General Information
Some of the most common rules and regulations regarding use of Foothills Park, such as group sizes, reservations, entry hours.
Foothills Park Interpretive Center Meeting Room Reservation Information
Some of the most common rules and regulations regarding use of the Interpretive Center meeting room.
Foothills Park Oak Grove Picnic Area Reservation Information
Some of the most common rules and regulations regarding use of the Oak Grove picnic area.
Foothills Park Towle Campground Reservation Information and Map
Some of most common rules and regulations regarding use of Towle Camp, plus campground map.
Fee Schedule
Fees for campsites, Oak Grove picnic area, and the Interpretive Center meeting room.
Guest List
For Oak Grove, Interpretive Center and Towle Campground reservations only. Not for use for small groups. Things to Do
Hiking Trails: There are fifteen miles of hiking trails, which offer a variety of hiking experiences. The longest hike is the Los Trancos Trail, which is 7.5 miles. The Toyon Self-Guided Nature Trail enables you to learn about nature at your own pace. See the Foothills Park trail map for more information. Lake, Fishing, and Boating: Fishing is permitted in Boronda Lake. All anglers age 16 and over must have a California Sport Fishing License. Fish species in the lake include bass, catfish, and sunfish. While swimming is prohibited you may enjoy the lake with your non-motorized and hand-launched boat. Canoes are also available for rent on the weekends and holidays from May 1st to October 31st, weather and staffing permitting. Picnic Areas: Five picnic areas are first-come, first-served, and there is one picnic area that is by reservation only. Tables, barbecues, and water are available. Groups at the non-reservable picnic areas may not exceed 24 people (adults and children, residents and non-residents included). Groups of 25 or more people must have a reservation.
The Oak Grove group picnic area is the only picnic area that is reservable, and may be used by groups of 1 to 150. Read the Foothills Park Oak Grove Picnic Area Reservation Information first, then use the city's online reservation system. For more information and photos see the Oak Grove page. Or call the rangers at 650-329-2423.
Camping: Towle Camp is a seasonal campground available to residents and their accompanied guests for tent camping from May 1 to October 31. At the end of Wildhorse Valley, eight peaceful campsites are nestled under the trees. Each site offers a charcoal barbecue, water, picnic table, tent pad and food box. Six of the campsites can accommodate up to eight people, and the remaining two campsites can accommodate up to sixteen people. Campsites can be reserved up to one year in advance. Many Friday and Saturday nights are booked two to four months in advance. Sunday through Thursday nights are often available that same week. For more information such as photos and map of the campground, see the Towle Camp page.
To make a reservation for camping, use the city's online reservation system. For more information see Foothills Park Towle Campground Reservation Information and Map or call 650-329-2423.
Nature Interpretive Center: The Nature Interpretive Center has exhibits and maps and is the starting point for many nature walks. There is a meeting room available for rent. For more information, see Foothills Park Interpretive Center Meeting Room Reservation Information. Use the city's online reservation system. Nature Programs: Ranger-led activities are available throughout the year in Foothills Park. See the Activities and Programs page for more information. History The land for Foothills Park was sold to the City of Palo Alto by Dr. Russel Lee, founder of the Palo Alto Medical Clinic, and his wife Dorothy in 1958, on the condition that it be preserved as open space. The park was formally dedicated in 1965. The Interpretive Center in the park is housed in a building originally built by the Lees as a horse stable. For more information, see the Palo Alto Historical Association's chapter on Foothills Park in their city history. | | |
