Touring *

South of Palo Alto on U.S. 101, take the Shoreline Boulevard exit and head east. Turn left to drive through the gated park entrance located at the far side of the Shoreline Amphitheater. Beyond the amphitheater grounds, the road curves toward the west to the Sailing Center, a Victorian mansion, a restaurant, the golf course, and free parking.

Trail notes: Surrounding the rolling hills of what used to be the Mountain View landfill are the marshy wetlands of the southern San Francisco Bay. Mountain View's Shoreline Park is situated right next to these saltwater and freshwater ponds, which are protected to preserve the environment for the wildlife living in and around them. As you skate, you'll comes across lots of interpretive signs about the wetlands, including one on the burrowing owl habitat here. Starting from the golf course parking lot, cross the road you entered on and take the paved path up a rise that serves as a creekside levee to Permanente Creek, leading toward the bay. Turn right at the trail intersection near a wooden bridge to take Stevens Creek Trail. Continue to skate toward Moffett Field Naval Air Station, which presents a decidedly unnatural view to the south with its great humpbacked hangars.

When you reach the Moffett gates, turn right to slalom (or ride your brake) down the incline to the cul-de-sac at the end of Crittenden Lane, a low-traffic street near office parks in the Shoreline area. Follow Crittenden back out to Shoreline Boulevard and turn right to skate (still on the street) back to the beginning of the loop.

Another half-mile stretch of good pavement starts from the parking lot at the Club House (a pro shop) and heads off to the north, circling around the north side of Shoreline Lake. When you run out of good pavement at the gray fence, look next to the fence to see where the gravel-strewn trail leads up the hill. This is the access route to the Baylands Trail (see page 143). To make the connection, duckwalk or sidestep up the dirt beside the narrow, rough path and you'll find a trail angling off to the right next to a marker post. It leads down to a gravelly road, where you must turn left to make your way west and north to the small park service building half a mile away. The Baylands Trail is just a few strokes from here.