Patch Picks: Top 5 Picnic Spots

The weather is getting warmer, the farmers' markets are back in season and you long to be outside after a long California winter of hibernation. What better springtime activity to pursue than picnicking? Check out our list of the top five picnic spots in town and take advantage of the beautiful weather:

1. EDITH JOHNSON PARK

Located just north of downtown Palo Alto, Edith Johnson Park boasts a beautiful vegetable and flower garden, playground for the kids, and 2.5 acres of soft grassy lay-around lawn. Grab your red-and-white checkered cloth and head over after picking up gourmet picnic groceries at  downtown. Find it at: 200 Kipling Street in Palo Alto.

2. 

Mitchell Park has it all, from a swimming pool to softball diamonds and tennis courts. Plenty of parking is available, as are tons of shade from trees that surround the park. Dogs are welcome, so grab your frisbee and enjoy. Check out this map of picnic areas for reservations. Find it at: 600 East Meadow Drive in Palo Alto.

3. 

Enjoy a well-deserved picnic after losing yourself in the many intertwining trails of Pearson Arastradero Preserve in the foothills in west Palo Alto. The preserve has a 275- to 775-foot elevation and is home to bobcats, deer, coyotes and numerous birds, but the view is worth the hike! Find it at: 1530 Arastradero Rd in Palo Alto.

4.

Pick a picnic table, any picnic table. Burgess Park, located down the street from the Menlo Park CalTrain station, offers a large picnic area, skate park, beautifully landscaped soccer fields, baseball fields, pool and little kids' playground.  Find it at: 700 Alma Street in Menlo Park.

5.

The Shoup Park Garden House and Patriot Corner Picnic Area is a wooded, 3.7-acre gem. The creekside park, adjacent to Redwood Grove Nature Preserve, features large grassy and child-friendly areas--a nice mix of city and nature in one place. Find it at: 400 University Ave in Los Altos.