Douglas Family Preserve

The 70-acre Douglas Family Preserve (DFP) is located near the intersection of Cliff Drive and Las Positas Road in the Mesa neighborhood. In 1996, the Preserve was acquired by the Trust for Public Lands and transferred to the City a year later. The DFP is an undeveloped open space that provides passive recreation opportunities, such as hiking, dog walking, wildlife viewing, and bicycle riding. Off-leash dog use is allowed within the park in select areas.  Hang glider opportunities are available for experienced users in one area of the park. Entry to the park is from the east at Borton Drive, Mesa School Lane, Medcliff Drive, and at the Oak Grove Trail at the intersection of Las Positas Road and the southern side of Cliff Drive. Dogs must stay on leash while entering the park and until the off-leash areas signs are encountered within the park. There are over three miles of park trails, some providing views of the Pacific coastline. The park supports several native habitats including southern oak woodland, coastal bluff scrub, coastal sage scrub, riparian (creek) and annual grassland.  The park includes a variety of trees, including coastal live oaks, Monterey pine and Monterey cypress. Non-native ornamental plants remain from the property’s past use as a nursery, along with other exotic vegetation. Staff and volunteers have performed habitat restoration at the park, including providing habitat for the monarch butterfly.