Kite flying in Palo Alto

On a spring afternoon the wind comes off San Francisco Bay strong and steady, bending the grass on the Baylands hills and rattling the ropes of the Wind Wave sculpture at Byxbee Park. It is good kite weather. The shoreline between Palo Alto and Mountain View has the open ground to use it. The catch is that two airfields sit right on that same shoreline. Palo Alto Airport's runway lies just north of Byxbee Park. Moffett Federal Airfield borders Shoreline at Mountain View.

This guide covers the best places to fly, the rules published by the cities and the Federal Aviation Administration and practical tips on wind and safety. Most families will never come near a legal limit with a small kite on a short line. Knowing where the limits are still helps you pick a spot.

Where to fly near Palo Alto

The Shoreline Kite Lot

The best-organized kite spot near Palo Alto is the Kite Lot at Shoreline at Mountain View, about 10 minutes south of the Baylands. Mountain View says the Kite Lot is the only area in Shoreline where kites may be flown. Kites must stay below 150 feet and weigh 5 pounds or less. Those limits reflect the park's location next to Moffett Federal Airfield, whose runways lie just east of the park.

The lot is flat and open with a reliable afternoon breeze. Single-line kites for kids and dual-line sport kites both work well. Shoreline bans dogs throughout the park, so leave pets at home. The park also has Shoreline Lake, a boathouse and miles of Bay Trail, which makes it easy to turn a kite session into a half day. Check the city's Shoreline page for hours and closures.

Byxbee Park Hills and the Baylands

Byxbee Park turned Palo Alto's old landfill into grassy hills inside the Baylands Nature Preserve. Height is rare on the bay shore and Byxbee has it, with nothing taller than grass between you and the water. The wind picks up most afternoons, which is why the park has a Wind Wave sculpture of poles and hanging ropes. The preserve is open from 8 a.m. to sunset and parking is free.

The city's Byxbee and Baylands pages do not say anything specific about kites. We could not confirm a city kite rule either way. Use judgment here, because the park sits beside Palo Alto Airport. The concrete Chevrons in Byxbee Park were laid out so pilots can read them from the air. Small planes pass low over the shoreline on approach and departure. Our advice:

• Fly a small kite on a short line and keep it low.
• Stay on the south side of the hills, away from the airport.
• Bring the kite down if a plane is approaching low nearby.
• Keep clear of the power line towers along the Baylands shore.
• Ask the Baylands rangers if you plan anything larger than a child's kite.

Airport rules: what the FAA says

Federal rules for kites are in Part 101 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. They mostly apply to big kites. Section 101.1 says the operating limits cover kites that weigh more than 5 pounds and are flown on a rope or cable. For those heavier kites, section 101.13 bars flying:

• less than 500 feet from the base of any cloud,
• more than 500 feet above the ground,
• where ground visibility is under 3 miles,
• or within 5 miles of the boundary of any airport.

That last rule rules out heavy kites anywhere in Palo Alto or along the Mountain View shoreline, since Palo Alto Airport and Moffett Federal Airfield both sit on the bay. One more section applies to every kite regardless of weight. Section 101.7 says no one may operate a kite in a way that creates a hazard to other people or their property, or drop anything from it that does. A child's diamond kite on 100 feet of string is well inside the rules. A large power kite or a kite train is not something to fly on this stretch of shore.

When the wind is right

The bay's wind follows a daily rhythm. Mornings are often calm. As the inland valleys heat up, a sea breeze pulls air in through the Golden Gate and down the bay, usually building from late morning and peaking in mid to late afternoon. Spring and summer afternoons are the windiest. Fall brings lighter, more variable breezes and clearer air. In winter, days are often calm between storms. Storm fronts bring gusty, shifting wind that is hard on kites and kite flyers.

• Best window: about 1 to 5 p.m. from April through September.
• Light-wind kites: bring a delta or a large sled for calm fall days.
• Too windy: if whitecaps cover the bay, smaller kites will dive and spin. Shorten the line or wait.

Our weather guide explains the seasons in more detail.

Choosing a kite for bay wind

The right kite depends on the day. A classic diamond or a delta suits children and light to moderate breezes, launches easily and needs little skill. Sled and parafoil kites have no rigid spars, pack small and handle gusty air well, which makes them good for Byxbee's hills. Dual-line sport kites turn and loop under your control and need a steady wind of the kind Shoreline gets on summer afternoons. Keep any kite you fly here light. Even a sport kite well under 5 pounds pulls hard in a 15 mph breeze. Start with about 100 feet of line, which keeps the kite low, easy to control and far below any aircraft. Add a reel or winder so you can bring it down quickly if the wind jumps or a plane appears.

Neighborhood parks

For a quick flight close to home, look for big lawns without overhead wires. Eleanor Pardee Park has a large open lawn that fits a kite or a game with a dozen kids, with shade trees around the edges. Mitchell Park and the fields at Greer Park also have open grass when teams are not using them. Wind inland is lighter and gustier than on the shore, so a lightweight kite works best. Stay well away from street power lines and never try to free a kite tangled in them. Call City of Palo Alto Utilities instead.

Kite safety checklist

1. Never fly near power lines, roads or airports.
2. Use cotton or polyester line. Metal or wire line conducts electricity.
3. Wear gloves with sport kites. A strong pull can burn bare hands.
4. Stop when lightning or a storm front is near.
5. Keep the line clear of walkers, cyclists and dogs.
6. Pack out broken kites and line, which tangle birds in the marsh.

The Bay Trail links the Baylands and Shoreline, a few miles apart along the shore. A bike with a kite in the backpack makes an easy afternoon loop. Visitors can compare bike rentals for the ride. Our Palo Alto with kids guide has more ideas for windy afternoons.

Frequently asked questions