Longer days, warmer nights and a tinge of fresh leaves and roses in the breeze are signs of spring approaching. The change in the air says that perhaps it’s time to put away your homework and break out a blanket and some food for a picnic. So lace up your sneakers for an adventure! Foothills, Stanford and our neighborhood parks offer the best spots in Palo Alto to have a picnic to celebrate the welcome shift in weather.
[divider]Boronda Lake[/divider]3300 Page Mill Rd, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
Nestled in the middle of Foothills Park, this gem, exclusive to Palo Alto residents, can be the host of outings for fishing, boating and hiking. Ducks, geese and other animals populate the area. Three docks — one for fishing, the other two for docking canoes — and a series of wooden platforms are prime locations to spread a picnic blanket and eat after a long hike. Behind the lake is a small, secluded picnic area — perfect for taking in the surroundings. Some trails, like Woodrat and Chamise, pass the lake, so if a scenic rest is needed, the lake is the place to stop off.
[divider]Peers Park[/divider]1899 Park Blvd, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Most of us are still little kids at heart, and there is no better place to channel that youthful spirit than a park. Peers Park is located in the quiet Southgate neighborhood half a mile away from Palto Alto High School, and despite the occasional blare of a passing Caltrain, it has a quaint environment perfect for winding down and relaxing. The park has large, spacious fields, big enough for a game of frisbee or soccer with friends. If there is no soccer game happening, the grassy expanse serves as an ideal spot for a picnic. There are two playgrounds in the park, and as long as you are respectful towards small children and their parents, you can have fun jumping around the structures.
[divider]Lake Lagunita[/divider]300 Lane L, Stanford, CA 94305
“Lagunita” means “small lake” in Spanish, but ironically, the lake is nothing but a big hole on top of a hill, nestled on top of a dirt hill in Stanford University. The perimeter acts as a wide running trail. Opposite to the parking lot is a serene field ideal for spreading a picnic blanket and taking Instagram-worthy pictures. There are picnic tables, so there’s no need to stress if you forget a blanket. Usually, when it hasn’t rained for a while, the middle of the lake becomes a dry pit, where you can bring your dog and fly kites. (Drones are prohibited). There are multiple places to park (next to the lake, at the parking lot at the bottom of the hill or in the street), and it is a pleasant 1.5 mile run there from Paly.