Shoreline at Mountain View

Shoreline at Mountain View is the big green space on the bay just south of Palo Alto. The city describes it as a 750-acre wildlife and recreation area. It has a saltwater lake for sailing and paddling, a links-style golf course, tidal marsh and meadows full of birds, a restored Victorian farmhouse and miles of flat paths. Most of it sits on top of a closed landfill, which explains the gentle mounds and the odd vent pipe you will notice along the trails.

From downtown Palo Alto it is a short drive or a flat bike ride along the bay. This guide covers the park's history, its main areas, the wildlife, the rules that catch visitors out and how to get there. For paddling and boat rentals in detail, see our kayaking guide.

From landfill to park

Mountain View bought the bayfront land in 1967 to build a regional recreation area. The low ground flooded and raising it by about 20 feet with clean fill was too expensive, so the city turned the site into a landfill that took garbage from San Francisco. As the cells were filled and capped, the park was built on top. Shoreline was dedicated in 1983, about 15 years after planning began. Its early years brought problems with methane fires, a reminder of what lies beneath. The city celebrated the park's 40th anniversary in 2023.

The landfill is still managed today. Gas collection systems run under parts of the park and its neighbor, Shoreline Amphitheatre. For a visitor the main effect is that some areas are fenced or off limits and that the hills are artificial. The mix of open grassland and marsh edge that resulted has turned out to be good habitat for birds.

Shoreline Lake

The centerpiece is Shoreline Lake, a man-made 50-acre saltwater lake fed with water from the bay. A boathouse on its shore rents kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, sailboats, pedal boats and more. It also teaches sailing, windsurfing and paddling. Mornings are calm and suit beginners. Afternoon winds bring out experienced sailors and windsurfers.

The paved path around the lake is one of the most popular short walks in the park, about right for a stroll before dinner. Sunsets over the water are a local favorite. Our kayaking and paddling guide covers rentals, lessons and the boathouse's practical details, including the lakeside restaurant's remodeling closure in late 2026.

Trails and paths

Paved and unpaved trails run through the park and out along the levees. They are flat, open and exposed, which makes them good for running, walking and easy cycling. Key connections:

• Bay Trail. Runs along the park's bay edge. Head northwest and you reach the Palo Alto Baylands. Head east and you continue toward Moffett Field and Sunnyvale. Our Bay Trail guide covers the whole stretch near Palo Alto.
• Stevens Creek Trail. Starts on the east side of Shoreline and runs about five miles south through Mountain View. See our Stevens Creek Trail guide.
• Permanente Creek Trail. Another creek trail that reaches Shoreline from the south.

There is almost no shade on the levees and the wind picks up in the afternoon. Bring water, a hat and a layer. Runners will find Shoreline on our list of running routes near Palo Alto.

Rengstorff House

The Rengstorff House is the Victorian you see near the lake. Henry Rengstorff came to California from Germany during the Gold Rush and arrived in San Francisco in 1850. He became a major landowner and ran Rengstorff Landing on the bay, a shipping point for local farms. In 1864 he bought 164 acres, land that is now part of the Shoreline business area. He built this Italianate house on it.

In 1959 his grandson sold the home to a land development company. In 1979 the City of Mountain View bought it for $1.00 and moved it to unused land at Shoreline. It moved again to its present site in 1986. After a full restoration it was dedicated on March 2, 1991 as Mountain View's oldest house. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The city offers docent-led tours of the house and rents it for weddings and private events, so it is not always open to drop-in visitors. Check the city's Rengstorff House page for the current tour days before you go. The historical marker outside, at 3070 North Shoreline Boulevard, tells the family story if you arrive when the house is closed.

Birds and wildlife

Shoreline's marshes, sloughs and meadows draw birds at almost any time of year. Shorebirds and ducks crowd the edges of the bay in fall and winter. Egrets and herons hunt the channels. Hawks and kites hover over the grassland.

The park is best known among birders for its western burrowing owls, which use the meadows near the mouth of Permanente Creek. California listed the burrowing owl as a Species of Special Concern in 1979 and the South Bay population has fallen sharply since monitoring began in the 1980s. The city treats parts of the meadows as protected habitat. If you see an owl at a burrow, stay on the path, keep your distance and do not linger. The city also notes that the park supports monarch butterflies and other protected species.

Our birdwatching guide covers the best seasons and nearby spots, including the Palo Alto Baylands just up the shore.

Rules to know

Shoreline has stricter rules than most city parks, mainly to protect wildlife and the landfill cap. The ones visitors most often miss:

1. No dogs. Dogs are not permitted in Shoreline Park. Use the Shoreline Dog Park just outside the main gate instead.
2. Kites only at the Kite Lot. The city says the Kite Lot is the only area of Shoreline where kites may be flown. Kites must stay under 150 feet and weigh five pounds or less.
3. Stay on trails near habitat. Fenced and signed areas protect owls and nesting birds.
4. Groups need permits. Any gathering of 50 or more people requires a special event permit from the Shoreline administrative office.
5. Field use. Athletic fields can be reserved. Drop-in play is fine only when no reservation is scheduled.

The main park follows its own posted opening and closing times, which are not the same as the dog park's hours and can change with the season. Check the city's Shoreline page for current hours and the full rules before you go.

The Shoreline Dog Park

Since dogs cannot enter the park itself, the city built the Shoreline Dog Park at the northeast corner of Shoreline Boulevard and North Road, just east of the entry gate. It covers about two-thirds of an acre, with separate fenced areas for small and large dogs and a shade structure. The dog park is open daily from 6 a.m. until 30 minutes after sunset. Those hours apply to the dog park only, not to Shoreline Park as a whole. Dogs can run off leash inside but must be leashed between the car and the gate. Each handler may bring up to three dogs. Our guide to dog parks near Palo Alto lists other options.

Golf, concerts and the tech campuses

Shoreline Golf Links, an 18-hole links-style course with a driving range, takes up a large part of the park. Our golf guide covers it alongside Palo Alto's courses. Next to the golf course is Shoreline Amphitheatre, the big outdoor concert venue. On show days traffic on Shoreline Boulevard backs up badly in the late afternoon and evening, so plan a park visit for the morning or a non-concert day.

Google's headquarters sits beside the park and the Computer History Museum is a few minutes away by car, which makes an easy pairing for a rainy-morning, sunny-afternoon day.

Getting there from Palo Alto

• By car. Take Highway 101 south to the Shoreline Boulevard exit and drive north to the park entrance.
• By bike. Ride the Bay Trail from the Palo Alto Baylands. It is flat and mostly separated from traffic.
• On foot. A long walk from the Baylands along the levees is possible. Allow plenty of time and bring water.

If you want to stay close to the bayfront parks, Mountain View has more hotel rooms than Palo Alto. You can compare Mountain View hotels for your dates.

Frequently asked questions