Overlooking Alpine Pond at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve, the David C. Daniels Nature Center features imaginative displays that both children and adults can enjoy. Opened to the public in 1996, the Nature Center was partially funded through the generosity of the Peninsula Open Space Trust and the Judy and David Daniels family in memory of their son David C. Daniels.
Operating Hours
The Daniels Nature Center is currently closed until further notice due to public health directives to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Updates will be posted here as they are available.
Exhibits and activities at the Nature Center
The Daniels Nature Center serves as the starting point for exploring the environment of Alpine Pond and surrounding Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve. A trip here includes a 1/2-mile trail, accessible to all ages and abilities, that loops around Alpine Pond.
- Larger-than-life pond creatures;
- A creative mural featuring pond-dwellers and their food chains;
- A live, captive-bred gopher snake;
- Touchable wildlife skulls and skins
- Picnic tables, restrooms, drinking faucet and bicycle parking available year-round!
There are no trash cans on Midpen preserves-- all garbage must be packed out.
Alpine Pond Webcam
Enjoy a peaceful peek at Alpine Pond without leaving home. You may catch a glimpse of wildlife, view changing weather and observe seasonal variations as Midpen’s new streaming webcam transports you to a serene setting and opens a window to this special place at Skyline Ridge Preserve. Check back often to see what wonders nature has to share at the pond and compare your observations each time you make your virtual visit!
Wildlife observations in the area that might be seen on the webcam include: western pond turtles, ring-necked ducks, mallards, double-crested cormorants, great egrets, great blue herons, bats, ospreys and more.
The webcam may be offline periodically, or wildlife only visible and active during certain times of the day or year.
Multimedia Nature Tours
Enjoy a self-guided, multi-media nature tour around Alpine Pond or along nearby trails.
Tours are available for download in a variety of formats.
Directions
To reach the Daniels Nature Center, park in the Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve parking lot located on the corner of the Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35) and Page Mill/Alpine Road intersection (across Skyline Boulevard on the right) and walk through the pedestrian tunnel to the Nature Center.
Get Directions via Google Maps.
Events and Activities
Find out about current activities at nearby Russian Ridge and Skyline Ridge Preserves.
Get Involved
Find out how to volunteer as a Nature Center Host or an Outdoor Education Leader at the Nature Center.