Foothills Nature Preserve

Daily Vehicle Entrance Fee is As Follows:

• $6 per vehicle (9 passenger or less capacity)
• $30 per vehicle (10-24 passenger capacity)
• $60 per vehicle (25 or more passenger capacity)

Free Entry for Pedestrians and Bicyclists:

• There is no fee for pedestrians and bicyclists. Please note parking on Page Mill Road and other local roadways is prohibited. Vehicles parked illegally may be cited or towed. 

Free Vehicle Entrance Days:

Free entry for vehicles will be granted annually on the following days:

• The 1st Friday in October  
• The 1st Saturday in December
• The 3rd Monday in January
• The 1st Tuesday in March
• The Last Wednesday in April
• The 3rd Thursday in June 

Annual Passes Can Be Purchased the Following Ways:

• Online via the Enjoy Online activities and programs registration site. Purchase your annual pass today!
• By phone, please call (650) 463-4949.
• In person at Lucie Stern Community Center.
• Active military, veterans, students, and people with disabilities: Please 
• Low income visitors: (Apply now for a free annual pass) After application approval, your annual pass can be obtained online, via phone, or in person.

Foothills Nature Preserve Annual Pass

Free Two-Week Vehicle Passes are Available at Palo Alto Libraries:

Starting January 15th, 2025.

• Passes are available at all library locations. 
• Palo Alto residency is not required.
• You must have a Palo Alto Library card to check out a pass. Temporary cards are available.
• Passes may be checked out for a two-week term, they are non-renewable. 
• When staff is present at the Foothills Entry Station, passes must be presented for inspection. 
• When staff is not present, please leave the library pass on the dash of your vehicle or hanging from the mirror where it will be visible to staff checking for parking pass compliance. 

• The land for Foothills Nature Preserve was sold to the City of Palo Alto by Dr. Russel Lee, founder of the Palo Alto Medical Clinic, and his wife Dorothy in 1958, on the condition that it be preserved as open space. The park was formally dedicated in 1965. The Interpretive Center in the park is housed in a building originally built by the Lees as a horse stable. For more information, see the Palo Alto Historical Association's chapter on Foothills Park in their city history.
• On February 21, City Council adopted an ordinance to change the name of Foothills Park to Foothills Nature Preserve. This will take effect April 8.

These are a few of the rules to help everyone enjoy this nature preserve:

• Dogs are not permitted anywhere in Foothills Nature Preserve on weekends or city holidays. Dogs are only permitted on weekdays and must be on a leash under physical control at all times. More information is on our Dogs page.
• Horses are not permitted anywhere in Foothills Nature Preserve. 
• Bicycles are allowed on paved roads only, and not on trails. All bicyclists must wear helmets.
• Coasting devices (i.e., skates, roller blades, scooters, and skateboards) are not allowed in Open Space.
• Fires and barbecues are restricted to designated areas. Staff may restrict usage depending on fire danger.
• Use park barbecues for charcoal fires only; no wood fires.
• No collecting of plants or animals.
• No smoking anywhere within Open Space nature preserves.
• No remote-control devices, for articles such as boats, planes, quadcopters or drones.

For more information, please visit our Rules and Regulations page or contact the rangers at 650-329-2423.

Hiking Trails: There are fifteen miles of hiking trails, which offer a variety of hiking experiences. The longest hike is the Los Trancos Trail, which is 7.5 miles. The Toyon Self-Guided Nature Trail enables you to learn about nature at your own pace. See the Foothills Nature Preserve trail map for more information. 

Lake, Fishing, and Boating: Fishing is permitted in Boronda Lake. All anglers age 16 and over must have a California Sport Fishing License. Fish species in the lake include bass, and sunfish. While swimming is prohibited you may enjoy the lake with your non-motorized and hand-launched boat. Canoes are also available for rent on the weekends and holidays from May 1st to October 31st, weather and staffing permitting. 

Picnic Areas: Five picnic areas are first-come, first-served, and there is one picnic area that is by reservation only. Tables, barbecues, and water are available. Groups at the non-reservable picnic areas may not exceed 24 people (adults and children, residents and non-residents included). Groups of 25 or more people must have a reservation in advance for the Oak Grove picnic area. 

Camping: Towle Camp is a seasonal campground available for tent camping from May 1 to October 31. To make a reservation for camping, use the city's online reservation system. For more information, visit the Foothills Towle Campground page or call 650-329-2423. 

Nature Interpretive Center: The Nature Interpretive Center has exhibits and maps and is the starting point for many nature walks. There is a meeting room available for rent. For more information, see Foothills Interpretive Center Meeting Room Reservation Information.

Nature Programs: Ranger-led activities are available throughout the year in Foothills Nature Preserve. See the Activities and Programs page for more information.

Groups of 25 or more people:

Are prohibited unless they have the following:

• A reservation for the Oak Grove Group Picnic Area (150 People Maximum). Please see the Oak Grove Webpage for more information.

or

• A Special Use Permit (Gathering Permit)

• Weddings and picnic groups of 25 or more must reserve the Oak Grove Picnic Area. Maximum group size for this permit is 100 persons for recreational activities.
• Please contact open.space@paloalto.gov at least two weeks before your planned event to secure a permit.
• there is no fee for this type of permit.

Commercial Use Permit:

Under the authority of PAMC 22.04.160 the city manages all commercial activities on Open Space lands in order to protect our shared natural resources and the enjoyment of all visitors to the preserve(s). This permit is intended to help regulate summer camps, after school programs, or other business ventures on Open Space lands to are in alignment with the department's mission. 

• A fee is assessed based on the Palo Alto Municipal Fee Schedule.
• Commercial Use Permits are not issued for weekends or City recognized holidays.
• Please contact open.space@paloalto.gov at least one month before your planned event to secure a permit.

Film and Photography Permit:

The city has implemented the Film and Photography Policy for Open Space lands in order to protect our shared natural resources and the enjoyment of all visitors to the preserve(s). 

Open Space and Parks Film and Photography Policy

Here's a summary of the Open Space Film Policy, broken down by level:

Personal Photography and Film (No Permit Required)

• Non-commercial use only (e.g., personal photos or small family shoots without the exchange of money for fees).
• Under 24 people, lasting 1 hour or less. Photographers may not stack multiple shoots with different customers
• No impact on wildlife, vegetation, or visitor access. Set items prohibited.
• Must comply with municipal codes and park regulations.
• No exclusive use of large areas; no shoots during park closure hours.

Low-Impact Photography and Film (Permit Required)

• Includes commercial & non-commercial shoots with some minimal impact on the park or public areas.
• Allows up to two hours, with multi-camera setups and additional equipment.
• Photographers may have multiple clients but are still capped at 2 hours total time limit. 
• No significant disturbance to wildlife, habitat, or public access. Set items prohibited.
• No exclusive use of large areas; no shoots during park closure hours.
• Not permitted on weekends and holidays. 

General Permit Conditions

• Protect wildlife and habitat; do not disturb natural resources.
• No drones, vehicles, amplified sound, or open flames.
• Compliance with parking and filming site cleanup.
• May need to show proof of insurance.
• Potential fees, including a refundable deposit up to $1,000.
• Commercial Use Permits are not issued for weekends or City recognized holidays
• Please contact open.space@paloalto.gov at least two weeks before your planned session to secure a permit.

Scientific Research Permits:

The city manages all research activities on Open Space lands in order to protect our shared natural resources and the enjoyment of all visitors to the preserve(s):

• Research findings shall be shared with the department and will be added to the recorded research in the preserve's files.
• All research permit holders must show valid proof of insurance (ACORD Form). 
• All research permit projects must be in alignment with the city of Palo Alto’s Open Space Division Mission Statement.
• Research is recommended to be completed during weekdays. All researchers must complete their work between 8am and posted closing time.
• Other permits maybe necessary based on the type of work being conducted (i.e. California Fish and Wildlife Collection Permit).

• Please contact open.space@paloalto.gov at least 6 weeks before your research project is planned to begin to secure a permit.

Cremation Scattering Permit:

We are glad Palo Alto’s open space preserves and parks are meaningful to you and your loved ones. Please help us keep these places special by following the following rules regarding scattering ashes.

• The park's purpose is to protect the resources of the area; therefore, individuals or groups must remain within 10 feet of paved areas and trails at all times to prevent damage to vegetation.
• The scattering of cremated remains is prohibited: within 1,000 feet of any residence or dwelling, or within 500 feet of any lake, creek, stream, or other body of water.
•  Cremated remains must be scattered, must not be left in a pile, and must not be readily visible to the public. No teeth, bone fragments, or remnants recognizable as human remains may be scattered.
•  No containers for the cremains, identification tags, vases, flowerpots, or other associated non-organic materials, or non-native plants, may be left at the site.
•  No memorial, plaque, or other site marker may be left at the site.
•  Any person scattering cremated remains shall possess and present upon request this valid permit when scattering cremated remains.
•  No more than 25 people may attend the spreading the ashes. If you would like to have more people attend the ceremony, you may book the Oak Grove Group Picnic Site.
• A copy of the Certificate of Cremated Human Remains must accompany the application.
• Ceremonies shall not interfere with normal visitor traffic. 

Construction / Right to Entry/ Defensible Space Permit:

This permit is intended for city contractors, utility companies & their contractors, and neighboring residents. This allows construction/maintenance work on or adjacent to department lands and access through department gates.  

• Generally, hours of work should be constrained to Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Homeowners conducting fire fuel reduction/Bonafide utility emergency work are exempt.
• Work shall not be conducted during Fire Weather Watches or Red Flag Days. As well as not on days when there is active rainfall or 48 hours following rainfall totaling a half of an inch or more in 24 hours. 
• There may be insurance, fees, or remediation requirements based on type of work being completed.
• Please contact open.space@paloalto.gov at least 6 weeks before your project is planned to begin to secure a permit.

Work Notices for Foothills Nature Preserve

Foothill Fire Mitigation Project (Wildhorse Valley) January 21 - March 1, 2025

• Factsheet(PDF, 143KB)
• Project Webpage

The Foothills Nature Preserve Dam (Boronda Lake Dam), is an earthen dam that retains water within Boronda Lake for recreational purposes, but it can also serve as a water source for wildland fire fighting. The lake makes Foothills Nature Preserve a community treasure, and means that it comes under State regulations for dam safety.

The State of California classified the dam as a "High" hazard, requiring the City to have an Emergency Action Plan that identifies the hazard, incorporates an inundation model, shares roles and responsibilities of potentially impacted jurisdictions and agencies, and more.

An inundation study completed in 2022 shows potential areas of significant flooding to include land immediately downstream of the dam, at the confluence of Buckeye Creek, and within the footprint of the Foothills Nature Preserve maintenance facility buildings. Flooding in these areas is generally constricted by topographic features such as steep adjacent slopes or man-made features like an existing berm at the Ranger's Workshop. Depths were estimated to reach up to 6 feet, and up to 3 feet within the central meadows of Los Trampas Valley.

The study also shows that potential dam breach flows greater than 1 foot in depth may continue to the confluence of Buckeye Creek with Los Trancos Creek. It also extends downstream to the confluence at Los Trancos Creek and San Francisquito Creek, with flows continuing to slightly before the intersection of San Francisquito Creek and State Route 82 (El Camino Real) in Palo Alto and Menlo Park. Properties adjacent to Los Trancos Creek and San Francisquito Creek could potentially be impacted by the downstream flow of water.