On the eastern shore between Redwood and San Jose, there is a remarkable series of trails and parks overlooking the Bay. Several of these trails incorporate a series of undisturbed tidal marshland (Sloughs) called the Baylands. The trails are a combination of paved and unpaved, and are wonderful for walking and running. It’s a combination of running along the Bay, out along the levees of the sloughs, and through some pleasant parks. This is also among the best bird-watching areas on the west coast. Keep an eye out for the gorgeous white pelicans! Note that several major high tech company HQ, such as the Googleplex, sit between the I-101 and the Baylands trails.
It is impossible to describe any one or two particular runs in the Baylands. There are three main sections of these trails, each described below: East Palo Alto; Mountain View (near Google and NASA); and toward San Jose (the Alviso trails). The “Bay Trail” is an anchor but is not seamless. Below, from north to south, we have described some of the best options for running.
Redwood City
There are some 10 miles of scenic running trails around the sloughs in Redwood Shores near Oracle HQ. A combination of paved and gravel paths follow the bay and wind around Belmont Slough and Steinberger Slough. See this ROUTE for more information.
Palo Alto Baylands
Only 2.5 miles from downtown Palo Alto and right off the 101. Below are a couple of good options. Also, connect to other trails here, such as the San Francisco Creek Trail, which goes around the Palo Alto golf course. A section of the Bay Trail heads west toward the Ravenswood Open Space Preserve.
Shoreline Park. Lovely 3.7 miles ONE-WAY, from intersection of Bay Trail & Adobe Creek Trail to the eastern end of Stevens Creek and the Jogel Slough. Shoreline Park has a cool kite field. Near Google. MAP
Stevens Creek Trail. Nearly 5 mile trail that runs parallel to Rt. 85., from just west of El Camino Real (Rt. 82) all the way to the Bay. A good option near downtown Mountain View. Connect to other trails in the Baylands area. MAP
Moffett Loop. Good quick 3-mile loop around Moffett Channel. MAP
Sunnyvale Baylands Park is your best bet for a quickie run right off Great America/Tasman, near the stadium and many corporate HQ. Connects to Bay Trail. Park Map.
Saratoga Creek has a nice jogging trail. Trail Info.
Alviso Park. 8 mile loop. Nice trails in this area, only 2.5 miles from Santa Clara Convention Center, Levi’s Stadium. We’ve mapped an 8.8 mile loop around Alviso Slough. There are other nice trails heading west toward Coyote Creek, and the 30,000 acre National Wildlife Refuge. MAP
On the eastern shore between Redwood and San Jose, there is a remarkable series of trails and parks overlooking the Bay. Several of these trails incorporate a series of undisturbed tidal marshland (Sloughs) called the Baylands. The trails are a combination of paved and unpaved, and are wonderful for walking and running. It’s a combination of running along the Bay, out along the levees of the sloughs, and through some pleasant parks. This is also among the best bird-watching areas on the west coast. Keep an eye out for the gorgeous white pelicans! Note that several major high tech company HQ, such as the Googleplex, sit between the I-101 and the Baylands trails.
It is impossible to describe any one or two particular runs in the Baylands. There are three main sections of these trails, each described below: East Palo Alto; Mountain View (near Google and NASA); and toward San Jose (the Alviso trails). The “Bay Trail” is an anchor but is not seamless. Below, from north to south, we have described some of the best options for running.
Redwood City
There are some 10 miles of scenic running trails around the sloughs in Redwood Shores near Oracle HQ. A combination of paved and gravel paths follow the bay and wind around Belmont Slough and Steinberger Slough. See this ROUTE for more information.
Palo Alto Baylands
Only 2.5 miles from downtown Palo Alto and right off the 101. Below are a couple of good options. Also, connect to other trails here, such as the San Francisco Creek Trail, which goes around the Palo Alto golf course. A section of the Bay Trail heads west toward the Ravenswood Open Space Preserve.
Shoreline Park. Lovely 3.7 miles ONE-WAY, from intersection of Bay Trail & Adobe Creek Trail to the eastern end of Stevens Creek and the Jogel Slough. Shoreline Park has a cool kite field. Near Google. MAP
Stevens Creek Trail. Nearly 5 mile trail that runs parallel to Rt. 85., from just west of El Camino Real (Rt. 82) all the way to the Bay. A good option near downtown Mountain View. Connect to other trails in the Baylands area. MAP
Moffett Loop. Good quick 3-mile loop around Moffett Channel. MAP
Sunnyvale Baylands Park is your best bet for a quickie run right off Great America/Tasman, near the stadium and many corporate HQ. Connects to Bay Trail. Park Map.
Saratoga Creek has a nice jogging trail. Trail Info.
Alviso Park. 8 mile loop. Nice trails in this area, only 2.5 miles from Santa Clara Convention Center, Levi’s Stadium. We’ve mapped an 8.8 mile loop around Alviso Slough. There are other nice trails heading west toward Coyote Creek, and the 30,000 acre National Wildlife Refuge. MAP
This is an overview of running in Silicon Valley, showing how we have laid out the region and providing some highlights as we move from San Francisco Airport to San Jose.
Worth a detour. Half Moon Bay is an idyllic coastal town about 20 min. off the highway. Home to Mavericks, the famous surfing beach. A 4+ mile coastal trail makes for a fantastic run, with great views to the beach, surf, and cliffs to the north. Cute town, too.
If you get stuck near SFO, don’t despair — there’s great running along the Bay. This spectacular running path follows the East Bay, from Brisbane north of SFO, south to San Mateo and beyond.
This is a great run easily accessible from the highway and only 7 miles south of SFO. There are jaunts out to a beach, a promenade through a lovely green park, and a quick hike up a hill with redwood trees and good views.
10+ miles of scenic running trails along the Bay and around Belmont Slough/Steinberger Slough in Redwood Shores. Wonderful open views of the bay and wetlands, and lots of birds! Can also connect to Bay Trail.
Centrally located park is a treat for running. Interior paths are hilly, winding through groves of trees and ranchland type terrain, while the outer perimeter trails form a flat, 2.3 mile loop around the Wildlife Refuge, skirting the salt marshes.
One of the most popular and iconic runs in Silicon Valley. Accessible from the center of Palo Alto and the Stanford Campus, this is a great ~5 mile loop, featuring open pastureland, a small lake, and great views of the Stanford Campus.
One of the most iconic university campuses in the world also makes for very pleasant running. Our 4.5 mile loop includes all the major campus highlights, with some great add-on options.
Palo Alto is the ‘center’ of Silicon Valley. A great run is to do a random tour of Palo Alto’s toniest residential streets, which feature gorgeous older homes, beautiful lawns, and lovely shade trees. Use University Ave. as the 'anchor'.
Three adjacent open space areas in Belmont, just east of I-280. Scenic, open, and hilly. Combination of fire roads and more challenging trails. There are map kiosks in each area.
In Redwood City near San Carlos just east of I-280, Pulgas Ridge and Edgewood Park & Preserve are adjacent to each other and offer several miles of scenic, hilly trail running. Combination of open & wooded terrain.
There is a wonderful series of parks, preserves, and running trail options in the hills close to Rt. 280: Rancho San Antonio, Sawyer Camp Recreational Trail, Huddart Park, Wunderlich Park, and more. Can be especially pretty in spring.
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!