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Credit 1 Pam Starr
2 Alyn Robert Brereton
3 Julie MacKinnon
4 Linda Pittman
5 Parham Pourahmad
6 Larry Whiting
7 Randall Finley
Area: 2,000 Acres
Lat: 37.450008
Lon: 122.106729
Nearby Services
Gas-Palo Alto, 1.0 MilesFood-Palo Alto, 0.5 MilesLodging-Palo Alto, 3.5 Miles
Site Facilities
Boardwalks Brochure/Species List Bus Accessible
Drinking Water Interpretive Signs Lookouts
Restrooms Trails Trash Cans
Visitor Center/Ranger Station
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Top Banner Photo Credits
Pam Starr
Alyn Robert Brereton
Julie MacKinnon
Linda Pittman
Parham Pourahmad
Larry Whiting
Randall Finley
Palo Alto Baylands Preserve - Site # 156
The Palo Alto Salt Marsh is one of the few untouched marshes in the San Francisco Estuary, with year-round wildlife viewing
RegionalRegional - worth visiting if you are already in the area. They may be located farther from populated areas or with more limited wildlife species.

Bank Swallow by Steve Emmons.jpg: 1024x1536 Forster's Tern at Palo Alto Baylands. Photo by Phil Robertson: 1024x1147.8466076696 Mallard landing at Palo Alto Baylands Preserve. Photo by Bob McCleary: 924x750 Black-crowned Night Heron at Palo Alto Baylands Preserve. Photo by Suzanne Young: 1024x744.63070539419 Young Snowy Egret at Palo Alto Baylands Preserve. Photo by Suzanne Young: 1024x997.24041811847

Background: These tranquil bay waters, salt marshes,and freshwater wetlands are just a mile from a major freeway. California gulls, double-crested cormorants, western grebes, and resident harbor seals feed on bay shrimp, Pacific herring, and soft-shelled clams. Winter high tides may reveal salt marsh harvest mice clinging to pickleweed, or endangered California clapper rails running for cover among the cordgrass. Northern shovelers and gadwalls feed in the estuary or at the preserve's pond. An adjacent flood-control basin attracts wading birds and ducks. Trees and brush shelter red-winged blackbirds, common yellowthroats, and other songbirds, many of which nest here.
Many of the displays are written in both English and Spanish.

The Experience: The Palo Alto Salt Marsh is a critical nesting and migration site on the Pacific flyway.

Wildlife and Where to Find It: Birdwatching can be done from vehicles, trails, or non-powered boats. Most of the trails are flat with fine-gravel surface, accessible year-around. Boaters should check the tide-charts carefully.

Viewing Tips: More than 150 bird species. High likelihood of seeing waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds from fall to spring. Marine birds are seen in winter. Look for birds of prey year-round, particularly in winter. Trails and boardwalks. Visitor Center. On San Francisco Bay Trail.

Site Notes: Our 135 acre Tidal Salt Marsh is one of the few untouched marshes in the San Francisco Estuary.

Nearby Viewing Sites: Shoreline Park, Mountain View, CA
Enid-Pearson Arastradero Preserve, Palo Alto
Los Trancos Open Space Preserve
Montebello Open Space Preserve

Festivals & Events: The site is used extensively for school group field trips

Visitor Information:  Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce - 650-324-3121 - http://www.paloaltochamber.com/
Viewing Site Hours of Operation are:
Staff On-site: Yes
Open: Everday
Hours: 8am-30min. after sunset
Year Round: Yes

Road Information:   Paved.  Gravel. 
Road Hazards: Watch for wildlife crossing the roads
 Number of Parking Spaces: 200
Parking Fee: 
Proximity to viewing area:adjacent
 Pull-Through Parking: No
Parking Notes: 

How to Get There: From Palo Alto on Highway 101, take the Embarcadero Road East exit. Drive 1.5 miles to 'T' junction, turn left, and continue to visitor center.
 

Contact Information
Managing Agency: City of Palo Alto
Agency Site URL: www.cityofpaloalto.org
Physical Address:
, CA
Agency 2:2775 Embarcadero Road
Palo Alto, CA 94303
Manager Phone:(650) 329-2506
Site Phone:
County: Santa Clara
Addition Website: