If you want to see some of San Francisco Bay’s last remaining undisturbed marshland, visit the 1,940-acre Baylands Nature Preserve. The protected area features 15 miles of multi-use trails, where you can explore tidal and freshwater habitats.

The Bay Area offers many destinations for birdwatchers, but many devotees consider the Baylands one of the West Coast’s best for viewing. Not only do hundreds of species make their homes here, the preserve also is a major stopover for migrating birds on the Pacific Flyway. We’re just now entering the best times for birdwatching.

Details: Open daily from 8 a.m. until sunset at 2775 Embarcadero Road in Palo Alto. The preserve offers picnic tables and restrooms, as well as hiking trails. More information here.

A northern mockingbird sings atop a branch at Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto, Calif., on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. The 1,940-acre preserve features 15 miles of multi-use trails, where you can explore tidal and fresh water habitats. The Bay Area offers many destinations for birdwatchers, but many devotees consider the Baylands one of the West Coast's best for viewing. Not only do hundreds of species make their homes here, the preserve also is a major stopover for migrating birds on the Pacific Flyway. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
A northern mockingbird sings atop a branch at Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto, Calif., on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group) 
The tide brings multiple shallow waves to the shore at Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto, Calif., on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. The 1,940-acre preserve features 15 miles of multi-use trails, where you can explore tidal and fresh water habitats. The Bay Area offers many destinations for birdwatchers, but many devotees consider the Baylands one of the West Coast's best for viewing. Not only do hundreds of species make their homes here, the preserve also is a major stopover for migrating birds on the Pacific Flyway. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
The tide brings multiple shallow waves to the shore at Baylands Nature Preserve. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group) 
A group of Black-necked Stilts chase a crow at Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto, Calif., on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. The 1,940-acre preserve features 15 miles of multi-use trails, where you can explore tidal and fresh water habitats. The Bay Area offers many destinations for birdwatchers, but many devotees consider the Baylands one of the West Coast's best for viewing. Not only do hundreds of species make their homes here, the preserve also is a major stopover for migrating birds on the Pacific Flyway. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
A group of Black-necked Stilts chases a crow. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group) 
Ahsan Waseem, left, and his girlfriend, Yazmin Apud, both from Menlo Park, visit Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto, Calif., on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. The 1,940-acre preserve features 15 miles of multi-use trails, where you can explore tidal and fresh water habitats. The Bay Area offers many destinations for birdwatchers, but many devotees consider the Baylands one of the West Coast's best for viewing. Not only do hundreds of species make their homes here, the preserve also is a major stopover for migrating birds on the Pacific Flyway. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
Ahsan Waseem, left, and his girlfriend, Yazmin Apud, both from Menlo Park, visit Baylands Nature Preserve. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group) 
Mustard plants bloom at Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto, Calif., on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. The 1,940-acre preserve features 15 miles of multi-use trails, where you can explore tidal and fresh water habitats. The Bay Area offers many destinations for birdwatchers, but many devotees consider the Baylands one of the West Coast's best for viewing. Not only do hundreds of species make their homes here, the preserve also is a major stopover for migrating birds on the Pacific Flyway. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
Mustard plants bloom at Baylands Nature Preserve. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group) 
A crow flies at Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto, Calif., on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. The 1,940-acre preserve features 15 miles of multi-use trails, where you can explore tidal and fresh water habitats. The Bay Area offers many destinations for birdwatchers, but many devotees consider the Baylands one of the West Coast's best for viewing. Not only do hundreds of species make their homes here, the preserve also is a major stopover for migrating birds on the Pacific Flyway. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
A crow flies at Baylands Nature Preserve. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group) 
The sunset reflects off of slow moving, shallow waves at Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto, Calif., on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. The 1,940-acre preserve features 15 miles of multi-use trails, where you can explore tidal and fresh water habitats. The Bay Area offers many destinations for birdwatchers, but many devotees consider the Baylands one of the West Coast's best for viewing. Not only do hundreds of species make their homes here, the preserve also is a major stopover for migrating birds on the Pacific Flyway. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
The sunset reflects off of slow-moving, shallow waves at Baylands Nature Preserve. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group) 

Source: www.mercurynews.com