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A stroller changes what counts as a good walk. Roots, gravel, stairs and sudden grades that a hiker shrugs off can stop a stroller cold. Palo Alto is luckier than most places. The city is flat, it has paved paths through several parks and the agencies that run the bay shore and the ridge have built trails meant for wheelchairs and strollers.
This guide sticks to paths that the city, Stanford or the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) describe as paved or accessible. Where a surface is gravel or dirt, we say so. For walks once your child is on their own feet, see our guide to easy family hikes.
The walks at a glance
| Walk | Surface | Length | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baylands boardwalk | Accessible boardwalk | About a quarter mile each way | Birds, short outing |
| Ravenswood Bay Trail | Mostly paved levee and boardwalk | 2.1 miles | Longer flat walk |
| Rinconada Park | Wide paved paths | Loops of any length | Shade, playground |
| Palm Drive and the Oval | Paved sidewalks | About 1 mile | Stanford views |
| Bol Park path | Paved | About 1.25 miles | No cars, donkeys |
| Alpine Pond and Horseshoe Lake | Accessible trails | Short loops | Hills without the climb |
The bay shore
Baylands boardwalk
The boardwalk behind the Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center is the classic stroller walk in Palo Alto. It runs about a quarter mile over the salt marsh to open water. The first boardwalk went up in 1969 and by 2014 most of it had closed for safety. The city rebuilt it on the same line and reopened it in 2019. It is wider than before and meets accessibility standards.
The preserve is open from 8 a.m. to sunset and entry is free. Interpretive signs on the deck explain the marsh. Late fall through early spring brings the most birds. The gravel levee trails beyond the boardwalk are firm when dry, but small stroller wheels can struggle with them.
Ravenswood Bay Trail
For a longer flat push, cross into East Palo Alto. Midpen says most of the 2.1-mile Bay Trail through Ravenswood Open Space Preserve is paved. It runs on a levee beside Cooley Marsh. A raised boardwalk with overlooks connects University Avenue to the preserve and Midpen says the trail and decks are accessible to visitors using wheelchairs or strollers.
Parking is limited to a small lot at the end of Bay Road, with 12 spaces plus one accessible space. There are no restrooms in the preserve, so plan around that. Dogs are not allowed.
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City parks with paved paths
Rinconada Park
Rinconada Park on Middlefield Road is the easiest park in north Palo Alto for a stroller. A renovation coordinated with the new Junior Museum and Zoo next door added a 12-foot-wide main path with 8-foot connecting paths, plus benches and a water fountain. The city designed the changes to make the park easier for strollers and wheelchairs. Old trees give real shade on hot days and the tot lot sits beside the main playground.
Mitchell Park
Mitchell Park at 600 East Meadow Drive covers 21.4 acres in south Palo Alto. Paved paths link the Magical Bridge Playground, the library and the lawns. Magical Bridge was built so children and adults of all abilities can play together, so its surfaces work well for strollers too. From the park, the Adobe Reach Trail and the Highway 101 bicycle and pedestrian bridge lead toward the bay shore.
Bol Park path
The paved path through Bol Park in Barron Park follows an old rail line for about 1.25 miles, from Hanover Street to Miranda Avenue and Arastradero Road. There are no cars. The donkey pasture halfway along gives babies something to stare at. Bikes use the path heavily at school times, so weekends and midday are calmer for strollers.
Stanford on wheels
Stanford's core is flat and paved, which makes it one of the best stroller areas around. The walk up Palm Drive to the Oval covers about a mile from El Camino Real under rows of palms. From the Oval, flat paved paths lead to the Main Quad and the Cantor Arts Center.
Two campus walks need more care:
- The Dish. The Dish loop is paved for about 3.5 miles and Stanford says it can be used by wheelchairs, manual or electric. It also warns that some sections are steep. Climbs and descents are real, so use a stroller with a hand brake and a wrist strap. There is almost no shade.
- The Arboretum. Some paths under the trees are unpaved, so expect uneven ground.
Accessible trails on the ridge
Hills usually mean dirt and climbing, but Midpen built two exceptions at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve on Skyline Boulevard. Both are designed for wheelchair and stroller access.
- Alpine Pond Loop. A short loop of about half a mile around a pond used for nature study. The David C. Daniels Nature Center beside it opens on weekends from April through November and then closes until spring. The trail stays open.
- Horseshoe Loop. An easy trail with a gentle grade, paved sections, benches and some shade around Horseshoe Lake. An overlook has two picnic tables under oaks.
In late October 2026 Midpen listed the five-space accessible lot at the Horseshoe Loop trailhead as closed for construction. The main lot has about 100 spaces. Dogs are not allowed. Check the Midpen preserve page before you drive up, since the ridge can be foggy and cold when town is warm.
Walks for rugged strollers
If you have a jogging stroller or one with large air tires, two more walks open up:
- Deer Hollow Farm. Midpen describes a walk of about a mile from Lot 1 at Rancho San Antonio on a wide farm road. It is dirt and gravel with gentle grades. The farm is closed on Mondays.
- Arastradero Lake. The city gives this trail as 0.57 mile one way, mostly flat with one short rise. It is dirt and dusty in summer.
Skip Edgewood Park, where trails are narrow and the county asks hikers to walk single file. Hidden Villa's farm is walkable but its trails climb quickly.
Downtown and shopping strolls
For a walk with coffee at the end, the car-free block of Ramona Street between University and Hamilton is easy with a stroller. The council made it permanently car-free in March 2025. Stanford Shopping Center has flat outdoor walkways and lists family restrooms, which our guide to baby-friendly Palo Alto covers in detail.
What to bring
A few habits make stroller walks here easier. Shade is scarce on the bay shore and the ridge, so a sunshade or canopy matters even in winter, when the sun sits low. Most of these walks have no water fountain you can count on, so carry water for adults and older siblings. The city lists restrooms at Rinconada and Mitchell parks. Ravenswood Preserve has none. In the rainy months from November to March, the levee and farm-road surfaces turn soft and muddy for a day or two after a storm. Stick to pavement and boardwalk until they dry.
Good to know
- Bay shore paths are windy most afternoons. Bring a stroller cover or blanket.
- Caltrain lists Palo Alto and California Avenue as accessible stations. The Stanford stadium station is not.
- The Junior Museum and Zoo suggests leaving strollers at home because parking for them is limited.
- For wheelchair users, our accessible travel guide covers transit and paratransit.
A ground-floor room or a rental with space to park a stroller makes a family trip easier. You can compare family-friendly hotels near Palo Alto.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Baylands boardwalk stroller friendly?
Yes. The rebuilt boardwalk behind the Lucy Evans nature center reopened in 2019. It is wider than the old one and meets accessibility standards, so it works for strollers and wheelchairs. It runs about a quarter mile across the marsh.
Can you take a stroller on the Stanford Dish?
The Dish loop is paved and Stanford says it can be used by wheelchairs, manual or electric. It also warns that some sections are steep. With a stroller, expect a real workout on the climbs and hold on tight on the descents.
Where is an accessible trail in the hills near Palo Alto?
Midpen designed the Alpine Pond Loop and the Horseshoe Loop at Skyline Ridge Preserve for wheelchair and stroller access. In late October 2026 the small accessible lot at the Horseshoe Loop trailhead was listed as closed for construction, so check Midpen's site first.
Can I bring a stroller into the Junior Museum and Zoo?
You can, but the museum says stroller parking is limited and its space is small, so you are not likely to need one. A carrier is easier for babies. There is designated stroller parking inside.
Is Pearson-Arastradero good with a stroller?
Only with a rugged stroller. The trails are dirt and some are steep or close after rain. The flat path to Arastradero Lake is the best bet, but expect ruts and dust. For a smooth surface, the Bol Park path is a short ride away.