Foothill Park - Toyon to Woodrat Loop
I learned about this park 15 years ago and have always wanted to explore it. Of course, I also learned that this park was only open to residents of Palo Alto. What the hell! Who had a public park that wasn’t open to everyone? These rich bastards were going to really hold out on us?
Apparently, I wasn’t the only one that felt this way. Late last year, under the pressure of a lawsuit from the ACLU and NAACP, the park opened its doors to all. I missed that news, but when I heard, I went the first weekend I had free.
The park was gorgeous. Probably the most beautiful park I’ve been to in the Bay Area. We arrived, parked next to Boronda Lake, and took a few minutes just inhaling it’s beauty. It felt rich, and like lots of rich things, it was intoxicating.
We took a walk around the lake and was a little sad that the little island on Boronda Lake was closed for COVID reasons. I wished at that moment that I had brought my SUP so that I could take the girls to the island, but alas, maybe next time.
We hiked the Toyon Trail next to the lake and my oldest told me a half a mile into that hike that this was her favorite hike of all time. She just loved the variety of things that she saw. It also probably helped that we were playing the hiking game where I would pretend to be the trail guide and spout out made up nonsense about various things that we saw on the trail.
This park was really crowded though. It was so crowded that there were more cars parked on the side of the road than in parking spots.
What I Learned:
You’re allow to hand-launch kayaks and SUPs from the various docks on Boronda Lake. The lake is pretty small, but still, I don’t know many lakes in the bay area that let you launch kayaks/SUPs without tons of paperwork and fees.
There were tons of wild life at and around the lake.
There was also tons of pollen, which was surprising for January, I suppose we had a warm winter though.
There were people playing with a RC boat on the lake, and that looked like a lot of fun.
1.9 miles, 1 hr 36 min, 158 ft of ascent
Hike Review:
Again, I believe Foothill Park is the most beautiful park I’ve been to in the Bay Area. It’s cozy, pretty, and straight-up gorgeous.
It’s trails are well maintained with very little dust to speak of.
Toyon and Woodrat trails were mostly shaded, with the trail around the lake being less shaded.
I feel like this park would be beautiful all parts of the year.