PARK TOURS

Explore Santa Clara County's open spaces and enjoy lakes, mineral springs, migrating birds, wildflowers and more while learning about Silicon Valley's rich culture, history and wildlife.

If you missed any of BAO's virtual park tours, you can watch them by clicking this link BAO Videos

BAO members receive a discount on the events. BAO Premium Members receive up to 50% discount and Basic Members (free) receive up to a 25% discount on BAO events. If you are not already a BAO member, and want to join to receive discounts, please Click Here before registering for the events.

**REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED** and space is limited, so please sign up as soon as possible using the registration button below. Detailed information, such as directions, will be sent one week and one day before the event date.

Hike 17 Bugs & Galls

Wednesday October 8, 2025 from 09:15 AM to 01:30 PM

Join us for a thoughtful stroll at McClellan Ranch Preserve while we look for, see and learn about the insects that inhabit the area with a focus on fall gall wasps. Our expert entomologist may find a diversity of colorful beetles, grasshoppers, dragonflies, ants and bugs. We will end our journey with an included picnic lunch. This program is hosted in partnership with Valley Water. Images by Merav Vonshak.

Level of Difficulty: : Easy
Number of Miles: : 2.0
Location: Meeting location is San Jose CA 95120 or Cupertino CA 95104
Additional Benefits: Transportation and picnic lunch are included

Hike 18 Guadalupe River Birding and Native Plants Walk

Wednesday October 22, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM

Join us for an expert-led, one-way leisurely walk along Guadalupe River, a major migratory flyway for birds, from Alviso to Ulistac Nature Area, the only dedicated natural open space in the City of Santa Clara. We will learn about Guadalupe River conservation efforts. Our expert guide will find birds and native plants and teach us about the California native plant habitats and the ecosystems in this park. We will walk along the Guadalupe River and see the garden. We will end the day with a social picnic lunch. This special program is hosted in partnership with Valley Water.

Level of Difficulty: : Easy
Number of Miles: : 2.5
Location: The two bus pickups are Saratoga, CA 95070 and Santa Clara CA 95054
Additional Benefits: Transportation and lunch are provided.

Hike 19 Snowy Plovers and Burrowing Owls of Shoreline Nature Area

Wednesday November 12, 2025 from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM

This leisurely walk is led by an expert birder who will teach us about the burrowing owls and snowy plovers that make their home at the Stevens Creek Shoreline Nature Area. Socialize during a group picnic lunch at the end of the hike. Binoculars can be borrowed. This special program is hosted in partnership with Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. Western burrowing owl image copyrighted by Frank Schulenburg. Snowy plover image by Michael L. Baird, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Level of Difficulty: : Easy
Number of Miles: : 2.5
Location: Meeting location is Cupertino CA 95014
Additional Benefits: Transportation and picnic lunch are included

Hike 20 Aromatic Plants & Western Pygmy Blue Butterfly

Wednesday November 19, 2025 from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM

On our leisurely, flat walk along the bay, we will learn about the history of Ravenswood Preserve and aromatic plants, birds and mammals that make their home in the wetlands of this preserve. We may even see the migrating Western Pygmy Blue butterfly! We end the day with a social picnic lunch. This special program is hosted in partnership with Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. Image by Anne Ferguson.

Level of Difficulty: : Easy
Number of Miles: : 3.0
Location: Meeting location is Cupertino CA 95014
Additional Benefits: Transportation and picnic lunch are included

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