Walks & easy hikes with toddlers

Alviso Marina County Park

• 👶 0 mo–6 yr (our estimate)
• ⏱ 45 min–1.5 h (our estimate)
• 💵 Free
• 🌤 Outdoor

Surface

Mixed

Distance

? Not published

Steep sections

? Unknown

Non-stroller segments

◐ Partly Paved pathways in the county park; the refuge trails, levees and boardwalks are separate (surfaces not described).

• 👶 Stroller: ◐ Partly The county mentions paved pathways in the park; trails, levees and boardwalks beyond aren't described.
• 🚻 Bathrooms: ? Unknown
• 🌳 Shade: ? Unknown

↩ The free Agents of Discovery game along the paved pathways takes 30–45 minutes.

Boats, birds and boardwalks at the south end of the bay, free to enter. Dogs are OK on the county pathways but not the refuge trails and boardwalks.

Coyote Creek Trail (from Hellyer Park)

• 👶 0 mo–6 yr (our estimate)
• ⏱ 30 min–2 h (our estimate)
• 💵 Free
• 🌤 Outdoor

Surface

Paved

Distance

15 mi one way

Steep sections

✗ No

Non-stroller segments

✗ No The multi-use trail is paved asphalt; an equestrian trail runs alongside south of Metcalf Road.

• 👶 Stroller: ✓ Yes Paved asphalt, relatively flat multi-use trail.
• 🚻 Bathrooms: ? Unknown
• 🌳 Shade: ◐ Partly The path runs under oak, cottonwood and sycamore trees.

↩ 15 miles one way from Hellyer to Anderson Lake; with toddlers, walk out from Hellyer and turn back when you're halfway through your energy.

The easiest long paved walk in San José: flat, creekside and partly shaded. Start at Hellyer Park, where there's also a playground.

Los Gatos Creek Trail (from Los Gatos Creek County Park)

• 👶 0 mo–6 yr (our estimate)
• ⏱ 30 min–1.5 h (our estimate)
• 💵 Paid, price not listed
• 🌤 Outdoor

Surface

? Unknown

Distance

? Not published

Steep sections

? Unknown

Non-stroller segments

? Unknown

• 👶 Stroller: ? Unknown
• 🚻 Bathrooms: ? Unknown
• 🌳 Shade: ? Unknown

↩ Out-and-back along the creek and ponds; the trail continues through Campbell, Los Gatos and San José.

A creekside multi-use trail past ponds and birds, with a lot at Dell Ave. The county doesn't publish surface or distance here, so check the trail brochure.

Martial Cottle Park

• 👶 0 mo–6 yr (our estimate)
• ⏱ 45 min–2 h (our estimate)
• 💵 Paid, price not listed
• 🌤 Outdoor

Surface

Paved

Distance

3 mi

Steep sections

? Unknown

Non-stroller segments

? Unknown The county says the trails are paved; it doesn't say whether every path is.

• 👶 Stroller: ✓ Yes Paved trails over 3 miles.
• 🚻 Bathrooms: ? Unknown
• 🌳 Shade: ? Unknown

↩ The free Agents of Discovery game along the paved paths takes 30–45 minutes from the visitor center.

A historic working ranch turned county park: paved paths past fields and farm plots in south San José.

Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve

• 👶 0 mo–6 yr (our estimate)
• ⏱ 45 min–2 h (our estimate)
• 💵 Free
• 🌤 Outdoor

Surface

? Unknown

Distance

? Not published

Steep sections

? Unknown

Non-stroller segments

? Unknown

• 👶 Stroller: ◐ Partly The city lists wheelchair access; trail surfaces aren't described.
• 🚻 Bathrooms: ✓ Yes Restrooms listed.
• 🌳 Shade: ? Unknown

↩ Fifteen miles of multi-use trails; with toddlers, stay near the duck pond and the Lucy Evans Interpretive Center.

Birds, a duck pond and the Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center: a breezy, flat bay outing. Trail surfaces vary and aren't published, so we don't mark it stroller-friendly.

Rancho San Antonio: walk to Deer Hollow Farm

• 👶 12 mo–6 yr (our estimate)
• ⏱ 1.5 h–3 h (our estimate)
• 💵 Free
• 🌤 Outdoor

Surface

? Unknown

Distance

1 mi one way

Steep sections

? Unknown

Non-stroller segments

? Unknown

• 👶 Stroller: ? Unknown
• 🚻 Bathrooms: ✓ Yes Restrooms: available (Midpen).
• 🌳 Shade: ? Unknown

↩ Deer Hollow Farm is a one-mile walk from Lot 1; the farm is the turnaround.

The classic South Bay toddler hike: a mile to a 160-year-old working farm with goats, sheep and chickens, then a picnic. Park early; the lots fill.

⚠ Farm buildings and pens are closed to the public; animals are viewed from outside. Farm programs are run by the City of Mountain View. No dogs in the preserve.

Alpine Pond Loop (Skyline Ridge Preserve)

• 👶 0 mo–6 yr (our estimate)
• ⏱ 30 min–1.5 h (our estimate)
• 💵 Free
• 🌤 Outdoor

Surface

? Unknown

Distance

? Not published

Steep sections

✗ No

Non-stroller segments

? Unknown Surface not published.

• 👶 Stroller: ◐ Partly Midpen says the Alpine Pond loop accommodates wheelchairs and strollers, but it doesn't publish the loop's length or surface.
• 🚻 Bathrooms: ✓ Yes Restrooms: available (Midpen).
• 🌳 Shade: ◐ Partly Alpine Pond's two picnic tables are in the sun.

↩ A short loop around the pond; the David C. Daniels Nature Center overlooks it (seasonal weekend hours).

A little loop around a pond where kids can peer in for pond creatures, next to a small nature center. Midpen says it takes strollers, but it doesn't publish length or surface, so we list it as partial.

⚠ The Daniels Nature Center is seasonal (weekends 11 a.m.–4 p.m. while open; Midpen says it's closing soon for the season). No dogs.

Bedwell Bayfront Park

• 👶 12 mo–6 yr (our estimate)
• ⏱ 45 min–2 h (our estimate)
• 💵 Free
• 🌤 Outdoor

Surface

Mixed

Distance

2.3 mi loop

Steep sections

◐ Partly

Non-stroller segments

✓ Yes Most of the trail system is unpaved and some interior trails are steep; only some trails suit wheelchairs.

• 👶 Stroller: ◐ Partly Most trails are unpaved; some are suitable for wheelchairs.
• 🚻 Bathrooms: ✓ Yes Restrooms near the first large paved parking lot.
• 🌳 Shade: ? Unknown

↩ Relatively flat 2.3-mile perimeter loop (part of the Bay Trail); cut back across the park whenever you need to.

Wide-open bay views, kites and birds. The flat 2.3-mile perimeter is mostly unpaved, so bring a rugged stroller or a carrier.

Devil's Slide Trail

• 👶 0 mo–6 yr (our estimate)
• ⏱ 45 min–2 h (our estimate)
• 💵 Free
• 🌤 Outdoor

Surface

Paved

Distance

1.3 mi one way

Steep sections

? Unknown

Non-stroller segments

✗ No The whole trail is paved (former Highway 1).

• 👶 Stroller: ✓ Yes Paved trail with separate lanes for walkers and bikes.
• 🚻 Bathrooms: ✓ Yes Restrooms provided.
• 🌳 Shade: ? Unknown

↩ Out-and-back on the old highway; the benches at the overlooks make natural turnaround points.

Dramatic ocean views on a paved, car-free stretch of old Highway 1 with restrooms and fountains. Weekend parking is tight; go early.

Half Moon Bay Coastside Trail (State Beach)

• 👶 0 mo–6 yr (our estimate)
• ⏱ 45 min–2 h (our estimate)
• 💵 Price unknown (check before you go)
• 🌤 Outdoor

Surface

Paved

Distance

3 mi one way

Steep sections

? Unknown

Non-stroller segments

✗ No The Coastside Trail itself is paved (a separate dirt horse trail runs parallel from Venice to Francis).

• 👶 Stroller: ✓ Yes The Coastside Trail is paved; Francis Beach has a paved ramp to the sand.
• 🚻 Bathrooms: ✓ Yes Restrooms with running water at Francis, Venice and Dunes; pit toilets at Roosevelt.
• 🌳 Shade: ? Unknown

↩ Three miles along the four beach lots; start at Francis Beach and turn around at Venice (about two miles north) or sooner.

A paved coastal path linking four beach lots, with restrooms and picnic tables at Francis Beach. Dogs are OK on the trail, not the beach.

Little Butano Creek Trail (Butano State Park)

• 👶 12 mo–6 yr (our estimate)
• ⏱ 45 min–2 h (our estimate)
• 💵 Price unknown (check before you go)
• 🌤 Outdoor

Surface

? Unknown

Distance

1.5 mi one way

Steep sections

✗ No

Non-stroller segments

? Unknown

• 👶 Stroller: ? Unknown
• 🚻 Bathrooms: ? Unknown
• 🌳 Shade: ✓ Yes The trail runs through redwoods, ferns and sorrel.

↩ State Parks suggests it for 'if you have an hour': it extends 1.5 miles into the redwoods; turn back whenever you like.

A quiet redwood creek walk on the south coast, pairable with Pescadero. State Parks calls it gentle; surface and restrooms at the trailhead aren't described.

⚠ Dogs aren't allowed on park trails (service animals excepted).

Quarry Park

• 👶 12 mo–12 yr (ages from the organizer)
• ⏱ 60 min–2.5 h (our estimate)
• 💵 Free
• 🌤 Outdoor

Surface

? Unknown

Distance

1 mi

Steep sections

? Unknown

Non-stroller segments

? Unknown

• 👶 Stroller: ? Unknown
• 🚻 Bathrooms: ✓ Yes A restroom at the park, by the playground and parking lot.
• 🌳 Shade: ? Unknown

↩ Vista Point Trail is 1 mile and begins as a service road from the main parking lot; turn back whenever little legs are done.

A coastside playground with a real tot area (1–5), a treehouse and a restroom by the lot. Pair it with a short look up the Vista Point Trail.

Ravenswood Preserve Bay Trail

• 👶 0 mo–6 yr (our estimate)
• ⏱ 30 min–1.5 h (our estimate)
• 💵 Free
• 🌤 Outdoor

Surface

Mixed

Distance

2.1 mi one way

Steep sections

? Unknown

Non-stroller segments

✗ No Midpen says the trail and observation decks are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers (the majority of the trail is paved).

• 👶 Stroller: ✓ Yes Midpen says the trail and observation decks are accessible to visitors with wheelchairs or strollers.
• 🚻 Bathrooms: ✗ No Restrooms: not available (Midpen).
• 🌳 Shade: ? Unknown

↩ Out-and-back on the levee; the overlook platforms at each end and along the boardwalk make natural turnaround points.

A flat, mostly paved levee walk and boardwalk over restored marsh, full of herons and egrets. No restrooms and no shade, so keep it short on hot days.

⚠ No dogs in this preserve (Midpen). No restrooms: go before you come.

Redwood Trail (Purisima Creek Redwoods)

• 👶 0 mo–6 yr (our estimate)
• ⏱ 20 min–60 min (our estimate)
• 💵 Free
• 🌤 Outdoor

Surface

? Unknown

Distance

0.25 mi

Steep sections

✗ No

Non-stroller segments

? Unknown Surface not published.

• 👶 Stroller: ? Unknown
• 🚻 Bathrooms: ✓ Yes A restroom along the trail (Midpen).
• 🌳 Shade: ✓ Yes The trail winds through tall redwoods.

↩ The whole trail is a quarter-mile; wander it and come back.

The easiest way to stand among big redwoods on the Peninsula: a flat quarter-mile with a restroom and picnic tables. Midpen says it suits all abilities; the surface isn't stated.

Sawyer Camp Trail (south end)

• 👶 All ages (our estimate)
• ⏱ 45 min–2 h
• 💵 Free
• 🌤 Outdoor

Surface

Paved

Distance

6 mi one way

Steep sections

? Unknown

Non-stroller segments

✗ No The county describes the whole segment as paved and wheelchair accessible.

• 👶 Stroller: ✓ Yes Paved the whole way and wheelchair accessible (county trail page).
• 🚻 Bathrooms: ✓ Yes Restrooms near the north and south access points and at the halfway point (2.5 miles from the north end, 3.5 from the south).
• 🌳 Shade: ? Unknown

↩ 1-mile marker from the south (Crystal Springs Road) end: 2 miles round trip, about 45 minutes (county tour sheet).

Start at the south end and turn around at the 1-mile marker for an easy 2-mile stroller loop with reservoir views. Keep little walkers to the right; the trail is shared with bikes.

⚠ Shared with bikes, runners and horses (marked for two-way traffic). Check county advisories for closures.