Painting Locations for January - April 2026 

Thank you to Betsy R, Sue M

Download pdf of Jan - Apr 2026

Jan 6 & 13 - BAYLANDS NATURE PRESERVE

2560 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/Community-Services/Open-Space-Parks/Neighborhood-Parks/Baylands-Nature-Preserve  Duck Pond, tidal and fresh water habitats, wildflowers, shore birds, trees and bay views.

Directions: 

• From Peninsula take Hwy 101 South, to Exit 402 onto Embarcadero Road, keep left toward Embarcadero Road East then keep right onto Embarcadero Rd and continue to the dead-end and turn left on Embarcadero Rd.

• First parking lot on the left is by the Duck Pond and porta-potties. Second lot has picnic tables and where we will have lunch. There is more parking at the end of the road for close views of the marsh and East Bay Hills.

Jan 20 & 27 – POPLAR BEACH

First Ave, & Poplar St., Half Moon Bay https://www.visithalfmoonbay.org/places/poplar-beach/

Poplar Beach is run by the city of Half Moon Bay There is a paid parking lot and restrooms on site.  The steps down to the beach are not too difficult and the Coastal Bike Trail runs right through so there are lots of places to set up with views of the blufftops and ancient cypress trees as well as the ocean.  Poplar Beach is run by the city of Half Moon Bay There is a paid parking lot and restrooms on site.  The steps down to the beach are not too difficult and the Coastal Bike Trail runs right through so there are lots of places to set up with views of the blufftops and ancient cypress trees as well as the ocean.

Directions: From Half Moon Bay at the intersection of 92 and route 1, head south for about 1 mile and turn right onto Poplar Street. The state beach is at the end of this street, parking on the left. Pay parking kiosk at the lot.  Porta-potties available. 

Feb 3 & 10 - PORTOLA VALLEY TOWN CENTER 

765 Portola Rd, Portola Valley, CA 94028 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portola_Valley_School   Views of western hills, meandering native plant garden, small Redwood Grove with charming bronze statues, several attractive buildings, including the old school house dating from 1909, a walnut grove and large meadow (both adjacent to library).

Clean, modern bathrooms, drinking water fountains, picnic tables, shade and sun. Good parking and paved paths.

Directions:  

• South from San Francisco via Highway 280. Take the San Hill Rd exit and head West. After 2 or 3 miles, Sand Hill Rd gently curves left towards the South and becomes Portola Rd as you approach Portola Valley. When you see a sign for “Portola Valley Town Center” on the right, drive a few more yards then turn right into the parking lot that runs alongside Portola Valley Rd. Note: when you are on Sand Hill Rd, do not make the mistake of turning right onto Portola Rd - it leads to Woodside).

• North from San Jose via Highway 280: Take the Alpine Rd exit and head West. Turn right onto Portola Rd and continue for 1.3 miles until you see the parking lot along the left side of Portola Rd.  Note: The parking lot is a few hundred feet beyond the Springdown Equestrian Center.

Feb 17 & 24 – SUTRO HEIGHTS PARK

846 Point Lobos Ave., San Francisco  https://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/sutro.htm  (this parking lot is directly across the street from the Land's End parking lot).  Sutro Heights Park is directly south of Lands End in San Francisco and is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.  Formerly the site of Adolph Sutro's cliffside mansion, the park contains ruins of an old parapet and gardens, and also features AMAZING panoramic views to the west and south.  

Restrooms are located at Lands End, a short walk away.  

Lunch location: At the picnic tables inside the park area. 

Note: The main entrance to Sutro Heights Park is near the corner of Point Lobos Ave and 48th Ave. Free parking is available in the lot off Point Lobos Rd. (decribed below), as well as ample parking on 48th Avenue.  PARKING ON 48th between Geary and Anza is RECOMMENDED.  You can easily walk into the park from your parked car.  

Directions:  

• To the parking lot - From 280 North, take exit 47 to Pacifica, to make your way to Skyline Boulevard North.  Take exit 508B for CA 35 Skyline Boulevard NORTH. Stay in 35/Skyline North past Lake Merced to Sloat Boulevard. Go LEFT on SLOAT Boulevard, then RIGHT on 45th Avenue north to Lincoln.  LEFT on Lincoln and RIGHT onto the Great Highway which goes uphill and turns into Point Lobos Ave. Just as you pass the old Cliff House on your left, watch for the parking lot around the corner, on your right. You will walk uphill on a path to the flat paved walking area. 

• To 48th Ave (recommended): travel past the parking lot described above and turn right onto 48th and you will paralelle the full length of Sutro Heights park, and can easily park on the street.  

Mar 3 & 10 - PESCADERO STATE BEACH

Southern-most entrance at the intersection of Highway 1 and Pescadero Creek Road (which takes you to the village of Pescadero), https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=522

Meet for lunch at the picnic table. State park bathrooms. No running water.

Directions:  

• From Peninsula, Hwy 92 West: Head South on Highway 1 for 14 miles and the southern entrance will be on your right.  

• From San Francisco, South on Highway 1. Continue on Hwy 1 past Half Moon Bay. It is about 14 miles from HMB to the Beach. The southern entrance will be on your right.

Mar 17 & 24 – COYOTE POINT

1701 Coyote Point Dr. Recreation Area, San Mateo, http://parks.smcgov.org/coyote-point-recreation-area

Pay parking. Free for seniors. 

Travel around on Coyote Point Dr. to the marina with views of boats, golf course, eucalyptus trees; views of San Francisco.

Directions: 

• South from SF. Take Hwy. 101 South. Take the Poplar Avenue exit. Turn right onto Humboldt until Peninsula Avenue. Turn right onto Peninsula Avenue. Go over the freeway, and then circle around and into the Park.

• North from Los Altos. Take Hwy. 101 North. Take the Peninsula Avenue exit. Turn right onto Airport Blvd. Turn left onto Coyote Point Drive to the park.

Mar 31 & April 7 - QUEEN WILHELMINA TULIP GARDEN

1690 John F. Kennedy Dr, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. https://sfrecpark.org/777/Gardens-Groves-and-Lakes   Below the towering Dutch Windmill is the Queen Wilhelmina Garden, where some 10,000 tulip bulbs planted each fall blossom the following March/April; interspersed with Iceland poppies, the tulips seem even more glorious and colorful. The bowl-shaped garden was designed by Roy L. Hudson and named in 1962 to honor the long-reigning queen of the Netherlands, who had died that same year. Tulips, the emblem of perfect love, originate from central Asia and Turkey, from where they were introduced into Europe and the Americas in the 17th century.

Directions:  From the South take Hwy 280 North to Hwy 1. Use the middle lane to take Exit 49B for Cal-1N toward 19th Ave/Golden Gate Bridge. Almost immediately, get in the right land and take the Brotherhood Way exit. Turn right onto Lake Merced Blvd. Use the right two lanes to turn slightly right onto Sunset Blvd. Slight right onto 36th Ave. Turn left onto Lincoln Way. Turn right onto Great Highway. Turn right onto John F. Kennedy Dr.

April 14 & 21 - SAN PEDRO VALLEY PARK

600 Oddstad Blvd, Pacifica, 94044, https://parks.smcgov.org/san-pedro-valley-park  Meadows and trees with many views from hiking trails if you are willing to hike a bit. 

Pay parking. Free for seniors but fill out the envelope at the entry kiosk. Picnic tables and restrooms and plenty of parking.

Directions:  From the North or South, take Hwy 280 to Hwy 1. Then Hwy 1 South to the City of Pacifica. Turn east onto Linda Mar Boulevard. Follow Linda Mar Boulevard until it ends at Oddstad Boulevard. Turn right on Oddstad Boulevard and proceed one block to the park entrance.

April 28 – HOLBROOK PALMER PARK, ATHERTON

150 Watkins Ave, Atherton, https://www.ci.atherton.ca.us/180/Holbrook---Palmer-Park   Atherton’s only recreation site is a 22 acre garden setting with sculptures, gardens, historic buildings, including the Main House, Jennings Pavilion, Water Tower and Carriage House. 

Directions:  North or South Hwy. 101. Take the Marsh Rd exit going West. Turn Left on Middlefield Dr. Go one block and turn right on Watkins Ave. Continue to park entrance sign on the left.

Follow road to parking lots. Suggest carriage house parking lot on the right.  NOTE: There should be unlocked restrooms available in the small brown building, past the Jennings Pavilion, near the playground.

(c) San Francisco Peninsula Plein Air Painters, Bay Area / San Mateo  County, California.