Picnic Reservations

Picnic reservations are only required at Mitchell Park, Rinconada Park, and the Oak Grove group site at Foothills Nature Preserve. All other picnic sites in parks in Palo Alto (including those at Foothills Nature Preserve, are first-come, first-served).

Effective August 17, 2026, a non-refundable 2.75% card service fee will be charged for all credit or debit card payments. City of Palo Alto does not retain any portion of this fee. Payments made with cash or check do not incur the card fee.

Group Picnic Reservation Information

  • Group picnic areas are available at Rinconada, Mitchell, and Foothills Nature Preserve.
  • For Rinconada and Mitchell Park, group reservations may be made by Palo Alto residents, organizations, and companies up to six months in advance, but no less than 10 business days (2 weeks) prior to the requested date. (Reservations for Rinconada Park and Mitchell Park may be accepted, pending availability, with less than 10 business days (2 weeks) notice, but no refunds or alcohol will be permitted for those picnics.)
  • Rinconada Park and Mitchell Park picnic renters will need to pick up a picnic packet (which includes: a reservation sign, copy of permit, and waste station sorting kits) on the Thursday or Friday before their rental. Renters will need to place the provided reserved sign at the respective site the morning of their rentals.
  • Availability Website
  • Group Picnic Site Application (Residents Only):
Picnic Site  Fee  Amenities  Location 
 Pine Grove

 

  $198 Includes 10 barbecues and accommodates up to 110 people  Mitchell Park
 Redwood

 

  $158  Includes 6 barbecues and accommodates up to 90 people  Mitchell Park
 East Meadow $107 Includes 5 barbecues and accommodates up to 60 people  Mitchell Park
 Arbor $69 Includes 4 barbecues and accommodates up to 40 people  Mitchell Park
 Sequoia $87 Includes 5 barbecues and accommodates up to 50 people  Rinconada Park
Oak Grove at Foothills Nature Preserve   Please see Foothills Nature Preserve Reservation Packet Foothills Nature Preserve

Individual Picnic Reservation Information

Resident Non-Resident
$38 per table, max of 2 tables $47 per table, max of 2 tables

Oak Grove Picnic Area (Foothills Nature Preserve)

  • To reserve the Oak Grove group picnic area, please visit EnjoyOnline Oak Grove reservation webpage. Here is a screenshot walk-through  to help.

  • The Oak Grove picnic area is yours to use for the day. The park is open from 8:00 a.m. and closes at a specific time based on sunset. For specific closing hours, please see our open-hours schedule. Event cleanup must be finished one-half hour before park closing. All members of your party, including guests, caterers, musicians, etc., must exit the park before park closing. Equipment may not be left overnight either before or after your event.

  • Please submit a guest list to the park one (1) week in advance of your event. The guest list must list all guests expected to attend, children included. The number of guests in Oak Grove cannot exceed 150 persons, children included.

  • Oak Grove cancellations must be made in writing and received 2 weeks before the event. A cancellation fee (1/2 of total charges) is non-refundable unless the City cancels the permit, wherein a full refund will be made. No refund is given if cancellation is less than two weeks. For more information on Oak Grove, please contact Foothill Nature Preserve at (650) 329-2423.

Alcohol Policy

  • Alcohol may only be served at group picnic sites and insurance must be provided. 

  • If you plan on serving alcohol, a $1,000,000 insurance certificate must be submitted at least 10 business days (2 weeks) prior to the date of your picnic. Only beer, wine or champagne may be consumed, hard liquor is prohibited.

  • All insurance certificates requested from the City may be processed online at HUB International or a similar vendor. Please be sure to name the City of Palo Alto as additionally insured. Insurance certificates must be submitted at least 10 business days (2 weeks) prior to the date of your picnic.

  • Please be sure to fill out the alcohol use permit, attached to the group picnic application, prior to submitting your rental request.

Cancellation Policy

  • Cancellations for Mitchell Park and Rinconada Park reservations must be made in writing and received at least 10 business days (2 weeks) prior to your reservation date in order to receive a refund. There will be a $15 processing fee charged for all cancelled site reservations. Cancellation requests can be e-mailed into enjoyonline@paloalto.gov. No refunds will be given if cancellation request is made less than 10 business days (2 weeks).

  • Cancellations for Mitchell Park and Rinconada Park for reservations that were made with 2 weeks or less notice to the rental date, are non-refundable, and alcohol cannot be served.

  • Oak Grove cancellations must be made in writing and received 2 weeks before the event. A cancellation fee (1/2 of total charges) is non-refundable unless the City cancels the permit, wherein a full refund will be made. No refund is given if cancellation is less than two weeks. For more information on Oak Grove, please contact Foothill Nature Preserve at (650) 329-2423.

Contact Us:

Phone: (650) 463-4949
EnjoyOnline@PaloAlto.gov

 

Foothills Nature Preserve:
(650) 329-2423

Reservation Process:

How to Reserve

Application Resources:

Park Maps:

Rules and FAQ:

Foothills Nature Preserve:

Related Information

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