| Area: 2,000 Acres | ||
| Lat: 37.450008 | ||
| Lon: 122.106729 | ||
| Nearby Services | ||
 |  |  |
| Site Facilities | ||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
| Join Our Mailing List |
|
For Email Marketing you can trust
|
|
Top Banner Photo Credits
Paulette Donnellon
Dale Val
Josh Benin
Jim Cunningham
Sandrine Biziaux Scherson
Martha Gonzi
Rick Derevan
Paulette Donnellon
Dale Val
Josh Benin
Jim Cunningham
Sandrine Biziaux Scherson
Martha Gonzi
Rick Derevan
© 2008-2023 California Watchable Wildlife and Blue Cat Studio, Inc.
| 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 | |||
 | Regional - worth visiting if you are already in the area. They may be located farther from populated areas or with more limited wildlife species. | ||
| |||
| 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: | |||