Foothills Nature Preserve

Perfect spot to get your steps in and enjoy a great view from the mountain apex. There’s also a gorgeous lake where you can fish, and plenty of trails. A good amount of parking is also available and you can park and walk the trails.

Such a serene and amazing place with shaded hiking trails , clean washrooms , picnic spots , u can sort dears, many kinds of birds, ducks , humming birds, a variety of fungus, very close wildlife watch of foxes. No dogs allowed on weekend and holidays

Quite often I am able to spot and observe the white tailed kite raptor, on the fire road to Alexis, near the fire station and water tower, or from the benches at the Vista Point Hill. A somewhat rare site, and treat to see this raptor hovering or ‘kiting’ as it looks for prey.

Foothills Nature Preserve, now open to the public for a $6 entry fee, is a beautiful spot for nature lovers. The views from Vista Hill are stunning, offering a perfect vantage point of the surrounding landscape. Boronda Lake adds to the serene atmosphere, making it a great place for a peaceful hike or a relaxing day outdoors.

Lovely park with nice trails, decent elevation, lots of wildlife, charming small lake with an island and areas with green grass. $6 will get you in- card or exact cash at the entrance, or free for veterans, with student ID, pass from Palo Alto library, etc. They gave picnic areas with tables and a visitor center with a fireplace, sitting area and WiFi (free). Parking may be a bit challenging on a busy day.

Footland Hill Preserve Review – 5/5 Me and my partner entered through Boronda Lake, and like fish swimming upstream, we made our way toward the peak of Footland Hill Preserve. Even with our motor-powered e-bikes, the trek leaned moderate to intense — steep enough in parts that we had to hop off and walk, legs burning, spirits determined. The payoff? A sweeping, majestic view of the city below, a few wooden benches perfectly placed for mid-ride reflections, and a steady stream of cyclists treating the summit like a Tour de Palo Alto checkpoint. It’s a destination, a ritual, and a solid reminder that even the hills in Palo got drama. Before heading back down, I busted out my finest 710 Labs full melt, packed the portable vaporizer, and savored a zen moment at elevation — just me, the view, and some seriously premium terps. The descent? A wind-whipping 30 mph ride while gripping my cap and smiling all the way down. Highly recommend — just bring legs, lungs, and maybe a helmet.

This is one of the best spots in the bay area - beautiful lake, lots of birds, deers, amazing views, great trails! I am in love with this place! Please pay the $6 entry fee and keep our parks safe and well maintained!

This is one of our favorite places to escape the hustle of Silicon Valley that is still so close to home. Previously only open to residents of Palo Alto and now open to the public, this gem offers bay views, hiking trails, a serene lake, picnic tables, a small interpretive center, and camping. ⛺️ We camped this time overnight and were the only ones there on a weekday. It invoked being connected to so much other than humans. We saw coyote, bobcat, blue jays, other birds, and smelled the sweet air as we slept under the bay laurel trees. Highly suggest it. Please take your trash with you. It’s still such a clean park. Let’s keep it that way.