Foothills Nature Preserve in Palo Alto (Year-round)
by Diane McCoy and Eve Meier
A lake for winter ducks and summer swallows, a panoramic vista for soaring hawks and cruising vultures, redwoods and oaks for woodpeckers, juncos, and bluebirds, and chaparral for towhees, wrens and jays! Foothills Nature Preserve in Palo Alto, newly opened to the public, has it all, all year round for everyone!
Trip Covers: Year-round
Key Birds: Gadwall (winter), California Quail, Red-tailed Hawk, Acorn Woodpecker, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Western Bluebird, Townsend’s Warbler (winter)
How to Bird
After 51 years of a Palo Alto residents-only policy, Foothills Nature Preserve is now officially open to all. Bordered by Portola Valley, Los Altos Hills, Arastradero-Pearson Preserve, and Los Trancos Open Space, Foothills Nature Preserve has over 1,400 acres of diverse habitat, animals, and, of course, BIRDS to explore and discover; upwards of 90 different bird species!
We’ve chosen three stops with a couple of optional walks to help get you started in exploring this park. Your first stop will be just after entering the park where you will take a short, flat walk to the lake. Your second stop will be deeper into the park to explore a shady picnic area and walk through a small valley bounded by chaparral covered hillsides. For your third stop, you’ll drive up a small hill to enjoy the views of the bay.
Foothills Nature Preserve in the fall. Photo by Diane McCoy
Stop 1: Boronda Lake with Woodrat and Toyon Trails
We recommend starting with an easy, flat walk to and part way around Boronda Lake. Named after a daughter of the Alta California Boronda family of Monterey, the 10 acre man-made lake is surrounded by native cattail, lawn and woodland. The lake is stocked with bass, perch, and sunfish, and can be used for fishing, rowing, and canoeing (no swimming or motorized boats allowed) and of course birding! Three docks extend out at the north and east sides.
Boronda Lake docks by Diane McCoy.
Starting from the gravel parking area at the park entrance, take the crushed granite trail that starts near the restroom and head towards the lake (parking area, restroom and trailhead shown on interactive map). Along the way, scan the large lawn for Dark-eyed Juncos hopping on the ground, Western Bluebirds using the scattered trees as hunting perches, or even a flock of Wild Turkeys striding across the lawn. Black Phoebes, a year-round resident flycatcher, are easy to spot here as well as American Robins and Northern Mockingbirds. Occasionally, Canada Geese like to lounge out on the grass.
Western Bluebirds may start scouting out nest boxes or tree cavities for nesting as early as February. If they find a favorable place with good conditions, they may nest there through August and into September. Many bluebirds mate for life. They use a range of calls from ‘few,’ to ‘few, few, fawee,’ along with ‘kew,’ and ‘che-check’ between mates during the breeding season. Photo by Diane McCoy
Once you reach the lake in 0.2 miles (# 1 on interactive map), check the surface of the water for Pied-billed Grebes, Mallards and American Coots, with the occasional Double-crested Cormorant. Winter months bring Gadwalls, Ruddy Ducks and even Common or Hooded Mergansers, American Wigeons, and possibly a Wood Duck. Year-round, there should be an assortment of Herons and Egrets along the banks while the Song Sparrows, Lesser Goldfinches, and Red-winged Blackbirds enjoy the cattails that line the lake. Scan the willows on the island for Downy Woodpeckers and Purple Finch. In spring, these birds will be joined by Warbling Vireos, and both Orange-crowned and Wilson’s Warblers. Also in spring, watch for Violet-green, Barn, and Cliff Swallows hunting insects over the lake.
Returning in spring, male Red-winged Blackbirds flash their bright red patch to defend and claim territory and to attract a mate. Listen for their loud and repetitive ‘conk-ah-reeeee,’ as they protect their territory not only from other blackbirds, but also from other birds and even humans. The males may have up to 15 female mates a season! The female blackbird is all brown with much streaking. Photo by Diane McCoy.
The wintering Ring-necked Duck is so named for the dark cinnamon-feathered ring around its neck. More distinctive is the white ring on the duck's bill. These ducks are fast fliers compared to other ducks and have a long migration, breeding in Alaska and Northern Canada and wintering as far south as Mexico. They spend their winters on fresh water ponds and lakes feeding on aquatic plants and invertebrates.
Continue along the trail keeping the lake to your right. Once you reach the dam (#2 on map), you can return to your car the way you came or extend your walk by taking the Woodrat and Toyon Trails back to your starting point (#3 and #4 on map). If you choose this extension, it’s just under one-mile back to your car along shady, single-track, hard-packed dirt trails with some slopes. These trails pass through oak woodland habitat of coast live oak, California buckeye, madrone, California laurel and lots of poison oak.
Spotted Towhees bathe on vegetation moistened by dew or fog. A female will run away like a mouse rather than fly away when its nest is disturbed. A group of towhees is called a “teapot of towhees.” Photo by Diane McCoy.
Whether you take the Toyon and Woodrat Trails or return the way you came, keep your eyes on the wooded area as you head back to your car. Watch for Spotted Towhees kicking up leaf litter with their two hops forward, one hop and scratch back. Other year-round resident oak woodland species that can be found in this area are Acorn Woodpecker, Steller’s Jay, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Hutton’s Vireo, Oak Titmouse, Bewick’s Wren and White-breasted Nuthatch. Also, see if you can spot some wood rat nests which look like large mounds of sticks and twigs.
The White-breasted Nuthatch, nicknamed the ‘upside-down bird,’ is able to move both up and down tree trunks, jamming acorns into tree bark, then whacking them with their sharp beaks to ‘hatch’ out the seed that is inside. Their feet have one big toe facing backward while its other 3 toes face forward, thus being able to walk down headfirst. Its most common call, made by both the male and female, is a loud, nasal “yank” often repeated a few times in a row. Photo by Diane McCoy
Acorn Woodpeckers store acorns in trees for winter food. This is called a granary. The acorns are packed so tightly into the tree that even squirrels cannot get them out. Making 10,000 to 20,000 pecks per day an Acorn Woodpecker can peck 20 times per second. They also use this drumming to establish territory and attract a mate. Photo by Diane McCoy
In the spring, be sure to check out the tops of the large snags for flycatchers such as Western Wood Pewee, Olive-sided Flycatcher or Ash-throated Flycatcher. Also in spring, listen for the Black-throated Gray Warbler, a striking black and white warbler with a yellow spot just in front of its eye. They are usually found high in the treetops.
Fall and winter bring a profusion of Yellow-rumped Warblers, who often sally out to catch insects mid-air, and active Ruby-crowned Kinglets, a tiny greenish-gray bird with a prominent white eyering.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, a winter-time resident in Foothills Nature Preserve. Photo by Peter Hart.
Once you are done exploring the area around the lake, we suggest driving to the Orchard Glen Picnic Area. Alternatively, you could walk there via the Toyon Trail.
Stop 2: Orchard Glen Picnic Area and Wild Horse Valley Fire Road
Drive deeper into the park to the Orchard Glen Picnic Area (#5 on map) following the park road signs. This picnic area is deeply shaded with a variety of native oaks, bay trees, coast redwoods, and other evergreens. You may notice some old fruit trees and other exotic species in the picnic area. These were planted by the stockbroker who purchased the land from the Boronda Family in 1914. Looking northwest from the picnic grounds is the beautiful green-grassed Las Trampas Valley (#6 on map); which means “the traps”, in English. The story goes that when the Ohlone people lived here, they dug big pits throughout the valley and covered them with brush and branches to trap Grizzly Bear! There are of course no grizzlies now, but the valley is a favorite place for grazing Black-tailed Deer, especially in early morning and evenings. Read the Foothills Nature Notes: Grizzlies - Monarchs of the Wild for more information on the history of Grizzly Bears in this area.
The shady Orchard Glen Picnic Area by Eve Meier
The Black-tailed Deer abounds in Foothills Nature Preserve and is the most conspicuous preserve mammal. Bucks have antlers from late spring through late fall. The deer browse on the leaves of many plants. While birding on the trails in wooded areas you may notice their trails crossing over the man-made trails. Photo by Diane McCoy.
Have a seat at one of the many picnic tables to watch for Steller’s Jays checking out the picnic tables for leftovers and American Robins running across the ground. Or, listen for the high-pitched calls of the Brown Creepers to help you locate this well-camouflaged little brown bird always creeping up (never down) the tree trunks. Small oak woodland birds such as Chestnut-backed Chickadees and Oak Titmice like to visit the dripping water fountains for a drink or a bath.
The male American Robin sings a beautiful tune with a quality like some thrushes, and often sings as the sun sets. Both males and females look quite similar with the female being only slightly paler. If you spot one on the ground, note their classic running and stopping behavior. Photo by Diane McCoy.
Winter months bring both Varied and Hermit Thrush and Townsend’s Warblers. You’ll likely find both of the thrushes on the ground while the Townsend’s Warblers forage high in the evergreens. In spring and summer, see if you can find a Pacific-slope Flycatcher sitting on a shady branch in the lower canopy of the large oaks. Swainson’s Thrush is another possible spring migrant that you should keep your eyes open for.
Townsend’s Warbler, a winter resident at Foothills Nature Preserve. These handsome warblers can often be found high in the evergreens. Photo by Brooke Miller.
After exploring the picnic area, you can walk through the Wild Horse Valley via the crushed granite, flat 0.35-mile (one way) fire road to the Towle Campground (#7 on map). Wild Horse Valley is a sunny exposed meadow with scattered large oaks. Chaparral covers the surrounding hillsides.
Wild Horse Valley Road by Eve Meier
Coveys of California Quail scratch for food in the grasses. If you hear a bird going on and on and on, it’s likely a California Thrasher. Scan the tops of the shrubs to see this bird with its head thrown back as it claims its territory with its song. Notice this bird’s unusual sickle-like bill which it can use to flick through the leaf litter in search of food. Listen also for Wrentits, with their bouncy-ball-like song, calling from the hillsides. These birds sometimes nest near the trails in the low bushes. Learn their churring call so that you can more easily spot them. California Scrub-Jays dart back and forth along the wide dirt path, calling their familiar loud and distinctive “schreep!” call. Wild Turkeys also enjoy this area and in the late winter or spring you may see a flock with young poults or jakes. In addition to the birds above, also watch for California Towhees (year-round), Golden-crowned Sparrows (fall/winter), Blue-gray Gnatcatchers (spring/summer) and Lazuli Bunting (spring/summer).
Wrentit, a year-round resident, nest in the chaparral. They can sometimes be heard scolding nearby intruders. Photo by Brooke Miller
California Scrub Jays, in the same family as crows (corvids), eat mostly insects and fruit in the spring and summer months. Like the Acorn Woodpecker, they cache acorns in fall for winter food, but will make sure the Acorn Woodpecker isn’t around watching. They may steal acorns from the woodpeckers’ caches and even from other jays. Photo by Diane McCoy
The California Quail, also known as the Valley Quail, became California’s state bird in 1932. Their curving crest, or plume, is made up of six feathers, which droop forward: black in males and brown in females. Multiple broods may mix after hatching and are attended by all of the parents of those broods. Adults that engage in communal brooding tend to live longer. Photo by Diane McCoy
The Wild Turkeys’ gobbles can be heard a mile or more away and they are fast, running up to 25 mph (same as a human track star). Photo by Diane McCoy
At the end of the road is the campground along with three port-a-potties, one of which is ADA standard. Once you reach the campground, turn around and go back the way you came to return to your car.
Stop 3: Vista Hill
For your last stop, drive to the Vista Hill Parking Lot (#8 on map). With panoramic views that span from San Francisco to San Jose, and across the bay to Oakland, Mt. Hamilton, and the East Bay hills, Vista Hill is breath-taking. At the top of the hill is a trail leading up to a few look-out spots describing points of interest in the San Francisco Bay Area. Twisty, red-barked manzanita shrubs and trees and oaks will shade you. Take a seat at one of the benches at Upper or Lower Loop and enjoy the view while watching for Red-tailed Hawks circling above, a teetering Turkey Vulture or perhaps even a Golden Eagle.
View from Vista Hill by Diane McCoy
Turkey Vultures can smell carrion as much as a mile away. They prefer fresh meat. Vultures eating together is called a ‘wake.’ They have the largest olfactory (smelling) system of any bird. The Turkey Vulture was given its name due to its similarity in looks to the Wild Turkey: similar red, featherless heads. Photo by Diane McCoy
Ready for More? If you want a longer hike, you can also access Foothills Nature Preserve from Pearson-Arastradero Preserve (#9 on map). From the Pearson-Arastradero Preserve parking lot, cross Arastradero Road and walk 0.14 miles to the beginning of the Juan Bautista deAnza Trail. In 0.55 miles connect to the Arastradero Creek Trail. In 2.13 miles you will come to the gate entering Foothills Nature Preserve. There is an elevation climb of 200 feet. Birds to spot year-round on this route include Acorn Woodpeckers, California Thrashers, Towhees, Western Bluebirds, jays, finches, Bewick’s Wrens, Black Phoebes and more. The fall and winter bring Golden and White-crowned Sparrows, Hutton’s Vireos, and Ruby-Crowned Kinglets. Overhead look for White-tailed Kites, Red-tailed Hawks, Turkey Vultures and occasionally Band-tailed Pigeons.
Interactive Map
Directions: From I-280 in Palo Alto, take Page Mill Rd (exit 20) towards Arastradero Rd. Continue on Page Mill Rd as it winds its way up into the hills. The park entrance will be on the right in 2.6 miles. Address: 11799 Page Mill Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022. Latitude/Longitude: 37.362950, -122.171836
Parking: Roadside gravel parking area near the park entrance with one paved ADA spot. Paved parking lot with additional roadside parking at Orchard Glen Picnic Area with one ADA spot. Roadside parking at Vista Hills with an ADA spot.
Parking area at the entrance of the park. Photo by Diane McCoy.
Fees: $6 fee at kiosk on weekends, no fee collection on weekdays. Purchase an annual pass through the City of Palo Alto.
Public Transportation: none available
Park Hours: 8 am to sunset
Notes: This park can be busy on weekends, arrive early or visit on a weekday.
Facilities: ADA accessible bathroom and drinking fountain available at the park entrance. Orchard Glen Picnic Area is very shady and has a bathroom, drinking fountains, and many picnic tables. Benches are scattered throughout the preserve on the trails.
Trip Mileage: There are two walks covered in this guide. The Toyon/Wood Rat trails are 1.5 miles, hard packed single track dirt trails. The Wild Horse Valley Rd is paved and 1 mile one-way.
Trail Conditions: The crushed granite trail to and alongside Borondo Lake is flat and shady. The single track dirt Toyon and Wood Trails are gently sloped and shady. The crushed granite and flat Wild Horse Valley Fire Road has little shade.
Accessibility: The bathroom at the trail entrance is ADA accessible. The Orchard Glen Picnic Area has a non-ADA compliant bathroom. The trail to the lake and the Wild Horse Valley Rd are both flat and wide enough for a wheelchair. There is a flat wooden bridge along the way that may be an obstacle for some. The Toyon and Wood Rat trails are not wheelchair accessible. There is ADA parking available at the park entrance, the Orchard Glen Picnic Area and on Vista Hill.
Bikes: Bicycles are allowed on paved roads only, and not on trails. All bicyclists must wear helmets. Bikes are not recommended for this trip.
Dogs: 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
Bird Checklist created by City of Palo Alto
eBird hotspots: Foothills Park
More Resources
For more trips like this one, visit Self-Guided Field Trips.
Visit the SCVAS Birding Resources page for more information on where to bird, our birding community, bird identification resources and more.
Read “What to Look for Now” by SCVAS Executive Director Matthew Dodder.
Banner Photo Credit: Boronda Lake by Eve Meier
Last Updated: 5/18/2022
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