Groups of 25 or more require a reservation or a permit. These include activities such as picnic groups, weddings, hiking and mountain biking meet-ups, classes and docent-led walks. Organizers are responsible for limiting the size of their group.
Baylands: Contact Supervising Ranger Richard Bicknell at 650-617-3156.
Pearson Arastradero Preserve: Contact the Supervising Ranger in Foothills Park at 650-329-2423.
Foothills Park:
For group hikes, classes or similar, contact the Supervising Ranger at 650-329-2423.
Residency requirements apply. There must be one Palo Alto resident for every 15 non-resident guests.
Oak Grove Picnic Area is the only reservable area for groups of 25 or more. It has a capacity of 1 to 150 people.
Towle Camp campground may be reserved by groups for use in May through October.
"Special events," such as running or bicycling races, usually require the use of many city resources (e.g., road closures, police or fire personnel). Permits for these events are required to be completed at least a month in advance. "Special uses" include scientific research or collecting, commercial photography, rest stops for athletic training events, and weddings. All require permits in advance.
Notice: Due to the large number of outstanding Special Event Permit requests that are being processed for events through January 2016, along with plans associated with the NFL’s Super Bowl 50 game on February 7, 2016, the resources of the City’s Special Events Team have been nearly expended. Therefore, starting November 30, 2015 and ending February 8, 2016, Special Event and Filming application requests will be reviewed and approved on a very limited basis.
Small groups, which are 24 or fewer adults and children, do not require reservations or permits. Organizers are responsible for limiting the size of their group and may be subject to citation and expulsion from the preserve if the group size exceeds 24 people.
In Foothills Park, residency requirements apply regardless of group size. All non-resident guests must be accompanied by a Palo Alto resident. Each resident may have up to 15 non-resident guests but the total group size may not exceed 24 people without a permit or reservation made in advance. The total number of people in your group may not exceed 24 residents and non-residents, adults and children. Organizers of small groups may obtain a small group guest list form in person from a ranger at the entrance station on the day of your gathering.
