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Routes
Hiking trails & Routes
United States
California
Santa Clara County
Mountain View

Charleston Slough – Pelican Island at Adobe Creek loop from Shoreline Amphitheatre

Routes
Hiking trails & Routes
United States
California
Santa Clara County
Mountain View

Charleston Slough – Pelican Island at Adobe Creek loop from Shoreline Amphitheatre

Easy

3.3

(20)

47

hikers

Charleston Slough – Pelican Island at Adobe Creek loop from Shoreline Amphitheatre

01:09

4.49km

20m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: May 28, 2026

Waypoints

A

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

1

349 m

Shoreline Interpretive Trailhead

Highlight • Trail

Start/end of a loop trail through the protected wetlands on the San Francisco Bay shoreline between Palo Alto and Mountain View, with informative panels on the nature and human history of the area. To follow the loop trail see komoot.com/tour/7562409

Tip by

2

641 m

Adobe Creek Loop Trailhead

Highlight • Trail

Trailhead to a network of paved and gravel trails

Tip by

3

1.52 km

Charleston Slough

Highlight • Natural

Charleston Slough is a marsh on the western shore of San Francisco Bay. It is a popular birding spot with a pleasant trail system.

Tip by

4

2.25 km

This spot is a fantastic place to view the many American White Pelicans and other birds on the island of Adobe Creek. A lovely bench is here, ideal for taking a quiet break and capturing some beautiful photos.

Tip by

5

2.56 km

Adobe Creek Loop Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Adobe Creek Loop Trail is a very nice path running along the eastern edge of Byxbee Park. The entire way you are treated to views of the surrounding marshes, Charleston …

Tip by

B

4.49 km

End point

Bus stop

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Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

4.03 km

449 m

Surfaces

3.18 km

1.08 km

< 100 m

< 100 m

< 100 m

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Elevation

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

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Weather

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Today

Thursday 2 July

24°C

13°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 21.0 km/h

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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Description

If you're looking for an easy, high-payoff hiking experience with abundant wildlife, the Charleston Slough – Pelican Island at Adobe Creek loop from Shoreline Amphitheatre is an excellent choice. This easy 2.8-mile (4.5 km) hiking route features a minimal 50 feet (15 metres) of elevation gain, taking approximately 1 hour and 8 minutes to complete. It's perfect for families, birdwatchers, and anyone seeking a peaceful stroll along the San Francisco Bay.

What to expect on Charleston Slough – Pelican Island at Adobe Creek loop from Shoreline Amphitheatre

This trail offers continuous scenic vistas of protected bayside marshland, including salt marshes, mudflats, and the San Francisco Bay itself. The route meanders along Adobe Creek and Charleston Slough, providing an immersive journey through a vital tidal wetland. You'll find the terrain predominantly flat, with surfaces varying from wide, paved sections to packed-dirt levee trails and some gravel. The highlight for many is Pelican Island at Adobe Creek, a fantastic spot to observe numerous American White Pelicans and a diverse array of other bird species. This easy path is suitable for hikers of all fitness levels, making it a rewarding outing for families and casual walkers.

Planning your visit

The trailhead is conveniently located near the Shoreline Amphitheatre, offering accessible parking options, including ADA spots. This multi-use path is popular with pedestrians, dog walkers (dogs must be leashed), and cyclists. You'll find wheelchair-accessible restrooms and drinking water at the trailhead, along with strategically placed benches for resting and bird observation along the route. While enjoyable year-round, the trail is particularly vibrant during migration months in fall and spring, when birdwatching opportunities are at their peak. The tidal dynamics mean the landscape changes throughout the day, offering different viewing experiences depending on the tide.

Trail details

  • Distance: 2.8 miles (4.5 km)
  • Elevation gain: 50 feet (15 metres)
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Estimated time: 1 hours and 8 minutes

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03:10h

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