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Ravenswood Open Space Preserve
4.4 ★★★★☆ 393 Google reviews · Running trail in East Palo Alto, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- 3 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Ravenswood Open Space Preserve's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Scenic 376-acre preserve featuring marshland, observation decks & trails for walking & bicycling.
What runners say about Ravenswood Open Space Preserve
“Native plants, great view, bike & walking trail.”
“Just an out and back but nice birds, flowers, and Bay views ☀️ no shade so bring a hat and water!”
“This place is very peaceful and a nice place to ride my bike.”
Truly one of favorite places to take in nature during day and evening. Kimmy and I often stroll path through reserve as well as sit by the bay. Lot of birds 🐦 and other wildlife. Easy access with bathrooms. Bring water. Highly recommend. Note: pets not allowed on path through reserve.
Wow! What a trip! Amazing nature preserve. It's flat and breezy. Easy hike. Just be prepared for long hike with no bathrooms and no water spigots. I bought a 40oz Mello Yello with lots of ice. And a 23oz Smart Water.
1.5 mile trail, with mostly paved paths. Not a loop so you'll be walking back the same path. You can enter on either side with gazebos on each end. No shade so go in the morning or a cloudy day.
Small parking lot, but doesn’t seem like the kind of place to get overcrowded. In general, the Bay Trail is a pretty standard walking trail. As part of the Preserve, there are a few observation platforms & pieces of land jutting out into the bay, but mostly there’s not too much to see.
Trail conditions & character
“Just an out and back but nice birds, flowers, and Bay views ☀️ no shade so bring a hat and water!”
“Small parking lot, but doesn’t seem like the kind of place to get overcrowded.”
“This place is very peaceful and a nice place to ride my bike.”
“The Cooley Landing Education Center has a set of bathrooms & a few picnic tables.”
“The trail is paved & accommodated my stroller.”
“Just an out and back but nice birds, flowers, and Bay views ☀️ no shade so bring a hat and water!”
“No evidence of sea level rising there, but the opposite.”
“The trail is paved & accommodated my stroller.”
Plan your run at Ravenswood Open Space Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Distance3 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websiteopenspace.org
- Phone+1 650-691-1200
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 5:30 am–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 5:30 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 5:30 am–9 pm |
| Thursday | 5:30 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 5:30 am–9 pm |
| Saturday | 5:30 am–9 pm |
| Sunday | 5:30 am–9 pm |
Running trails near East Palo Alto
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Cooley Landing Park
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Baylands Nature Preserve
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Flood Park
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Bedwell Bayfront Park
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