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Byxbee Park: A Sanctuary Reclaimed

Explore Byxbee Park: Where art meets nature in a reclaimed landscape with stunning bay views, perfect for walking, birding, and enjoying public art.

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Byxbee Park, located in Palo Alto's Baylands Nature Preserve, is a unique 30-acre park built on a former landfill. It offers walking, hiking, biking, and birdwatching opportunities with stunning views of the San Francisco Bay. The park features art installations, flat trails, and a diverse habitat for wildlife.

A brief summary to Byxbee Park

  • Monday 8 am-8 pm
  • Tuesday 8 am-8 pm
  • Wednesday 8 am-8 pm
  • Thursday 8 am-8 pm
  • Friday 8 am-8 pm
  • Saturday 8 am-8 pm
  • Sunday 8 am-8 pm

Local tips

  • Visit during mild weather, as there is minimal shade and the trails can be hot in direct sunlight.
  • Bring binoculars for birdwatching, as the park is a haven for migratory birds.
  • Wear comfortable shoes suitable for gravel trails, which can be muddy in places.
  • Check the tides; high tides bring birds closer, while low tides reveal a different, rugged side of the marsh.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    From Highway 101, exit onto Embarcadero Road East. Continue on Embarcadero Road until you reach the end. Byxbee Park will be on your right. There are two parking lots available, a main lot near the restrooms and a smaller overflow lot. Parking is free. Be aware that the lots can fill up quickly, especially on weekends. If the lots are full, parking is allowed on the north side of Embarcadero Road.

  • Biking

    Access Byxbee Park via the San Francisco Bay Trail. Follow the Bay Trail to Embarcadero Road and continue east to the park entrance. Bike racks are available near the entrance.

  • Public Transport

    Take Caltrain to the Palo Alto Station. From there, it's approximately a 2-mile bike ride or taxi/rideshare to Byxbee Park. A taxi or rideshare will cost approximately $10-15. There are no direct public transport options to the park.

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Discover more about Byxbee Park

Byxbee Park is a unique and evolving landscape in Palo Alto, offering visitors a chance to experience nature in a space reclaimed from a former landfill. Named after John Fletcher Byxbee Jr., Palo Alto City Engineer from 1906 to 1941, the park embodies a blend of ecological restoration and artistic expression. Originally a landfill operating from the 1930s to 2011, the area was transformed into a park in the 1990s through a process of capping the landfill with clay and earth. This remediation not only addressed environmental concerns but also created a space for recreation and habitat restoration. The park's design, a collaboration between landscape architects Hargreaves and Associates and environmental artists Peter Richards and Michael Oppenheimer, incorporates the site's history while fostering new ecological configurations. Today, Byxbee Park features wide, gravel trails suitable for walking, jogging, and biking, offering panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay and surrounding marshlands. The park is known for its diverse birdlife, attracting birdwatchers with opportunities to spot migratory shorebirds and other species. Art installations, such as the iconic "Pole Field," add a layer of intrigue and contemplation to the landscape. These installations often engage with the park's history and its relationship to the surrounding environment. Visitors can explore the park's trails, which wind through grasslands and around a central hill offering 360-degree views. The trails connect to the broader Bay Trail system, allowing for longer excursions into the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve and Emily Renzel Wetlands. Byxbee Park provides a tranquil escape from the urban environment, inviting visitors to connect with nature and appreciate the ongoing process of ecological renewal.

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