Introduction:

San Francisco Bay is actually a large estuary where freshwater from the San Joaquin and Sacramento rivers meet the salt water of the Pacific Ocean. Around the bay are areas inundated by brackish water twice a day during the high tide. The shallow muddy shores support a unique vegetation type; coastal saltmarsh.

Much of the original saltmarsh area has been lost due to development. However, a number of protected areas are dotted around the margins of the bay. It these areas a number of organizations are actively engaged in restoring the natural vegetation that once occupied these habitats.

Driving Directions: To Lucy Evans Nature Center- 2775 Embarcadero Road Palo Alto, CA 94303-3344

From 101 Southbound Take exit 402 for Embarcadero Road/Oregon Expressway.   Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Embarcadero Rd E and merge onto Embarcadero Rd (stay in right lane to merge onto Embarcadero East crossing freeway)   Follow Embarcadero past Golf Course Turn left to stay on Embarcadero Rd at Welcome to Baylands sign   Pass the Duck Pond and continue across the bridge.  You will see the Nature Center on your Left find parking  where the road turns to the right.