Reserve an Individual or Group Picnic Area

Want to reserve a picnic area? Let us help. Follow the instructions below.

Note that picnic reservations are only required at Mitchell Park, Rinconada Park, and Foothills Nature Preserve. All other picnic areas in Palo Alto parks are first-come, first-served.

Online

Step 1.Rules & Requirements

Group picnic areas can be reserved by Palo Alto residents, organizations, and companies six (6) months in advance.
Individual picnic areas can be reserved by residents and non-residents. Customers may reserve one (1) or two (2) individual picnic tables on the Monday through Thursday (8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) for the upcoming weekend of use.
Visit the City’s Picnic Reservation website and become familiar with the different sites, amenities, alcohol policies, picnic rules, and reservation fees.

Step 2.Documents Needed

Enjoy! Online account
Credit card required for payment

Step 3.Online Reservation

The City uses CivicRec for online reservations.
Only the Oak Grove Group Picnic Area at Foothills Nature Preserve can be reserved online.
For reservations at Rinconada and Mitchell Park, please select E-Mail, Mail, or In-Person above.

Reservation / Availability Website

Step 4.We'll Get Back to You

By reserving online, you will be able to receive immediate confirmation of your reservation and check transaction history. For questions, e-mail enjoyonline@paloalto.gov. Staff will get back to you within two (2) business days.

E-Mail

Step 1.Rules & Requirements

Group picnic areas can be reserved by Palo Alto residents, organizations, and companies six (6) months in advance.
Individual picnic areas can be reserved by residents and non-residents. Customers may reserve one (1) or two (2) individual picnic tables on the Monday through Thursday (8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) for the upcoming weekend of use.
Visit the City’s Picnic Reservation website and become familiar with the different sites, amenities, alcohol policies, picnic rules, and reservation fees.

Step 2.Documents Needed

Enjoy! Online account
Credit card required for payment

Step 3.Complete the linked form

Completed forms will automatically be emailed to enjoyonline@paloalto.gov for processing.

Group Picnic Site Application (Residents Only)

Individual Picnic Tables Application

Availability Website

Step 4.We'll Get Back to You

We will contact you within 2 business days to process a one-time credit card payment. Confirmation receipt will be emailed within 24 hours of credit card transaction. For questions, e-mail enjoyonline@paloalto.gov.

Mail

Step 1.Rules & Requirements

Group picnic areas can be reserved by Palo Alto residents, organizations, and companies six (6) months in advance.
Individual picnic areas can be reserved by residents and non-residents. Customers may reserve one (1) or two (2) individual picnic tables on the Monday through Thursday (8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) for the upcoming weekend of use.
Visit the City’s Picnic Reservation website and become familiar with the different sites, amenities, alcohol policies, picnic rules, and reservation fees.

Step 2.Documents Needed

Reservation form
Credit card required for payment

Step 3.Download, fill out, and mail in your completed reservation form

Mail-in your completed reservation form to:

Lucie Stern Community Center
1305 Middlefield Road
Palo Alto, CA 94301

Group Picnic Site Application (Residents Only)

Individual Picnic Tables Application

Availability Website

Step 4.We'll Get Back to You

Once reservation form is received, staff will give you a call to process a one-time credit card payment. Confirmation receipt will be emailed within 24 hours of credit card transaction. For questions, e-mail enjoyonline@paloalto.gov.

In-Person

Step 1.Rules & Requirements

Group picnic areas can be reserved by Palo Alto residents, organizations, and companies six (6) months in advance.
Individual picnic areas can be reserved by residents and non-residents. Customers may reserve one (1) or two (2) individual picnic tables on the Monday through Thursday (8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) for the upcoming weekend of use.
Visit the City’s Picnic Reservation website and become familiar with the different sites, amenities, alcohol policies, picnic rules, and reservation fees.