For half a century, if you didn't live in Palo Alto, you could get a ticket for hiking in Foothills Park. That's no longer the case, but plenty of Bay Area hikers still haven't been.

From residents-only to open to all

Most of the land came from Russel V. Lee, a founder of the Palo Alto Medical Clinic. In 1958 he offered 1,294 acres to the city for $1,000 an acre to keep as open space, according to Wikipedia. Voters approved the purchase in 1959. Santa Clara County offered to cover about 40% of the cost in 1964 on the condition that the park be open to everyone, but Palo Alto declined. The park opened on June 19, 1965, and the residents-only rule followed in 1969.

Activists painted "DESEGREGATE" outside the front gate in July 2020. In September 2020 the ACLU sued on behalf of the local NAACP. That November, the City Council voted 5-2 to drop the restriction, and the park opened to the public on Dec. 17, 2020. A federal judge later permanently barred the city from bringing the rule back. In 2021 the council renamed Foothills Park as Foothills Nature Preserve.

What to do

  • Boronda Lake: A 10-acre man-made lake reached by a short, flat walk from the entrance parking area. It's stocked with bass, perch and sunfish. Fishing, rowing and canoeing are allowed, but no swimming or motors, according to the Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance. The lake is named after a daughter of the Boronda family of Alta California.
  • Foothills Highlights Loop (3.2 miles): Weekend Sherpa recommends this loop to Boronda Lake, Vista Hill and Arbolejo Overlook, which looks out on the Stanford Dish and Hoover Tower. On a clear day, Vista Hill has a 180-degree view taking in Mount Tamalpais, Mount Diablo and the bay.
  • Los Trancos Trail (about 8 miles): The steep, full loop. Weekend Sherpa describes a 4.8-mile shortcut on Trappers Fire Road with about 1,000 feet of gain.
  • Birding: The Bird Alliance counts upwards of 90 bird species. Look for gadwalls and Townsend's warblers in winter, plus acorn woodpeckers and Western bluebirds year-round.

Know before you go

  • Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset. The park can close when it reaches capacity, so arrive early.
  • Getting there: Take I-280 exit 20 to Page Mill Road and drive about 2.5 miles to the entrance.
  • Fees and dogs: Vehicle entrance fees apply on some days. Weekend Sherpa says leashed dogs are allowed on weekdays and non-city holidays. Check the city's page before you go.
  • Camping: Towle Camp is a tent-only campground open May 1 through Oct. 31, with reservations required.