of turns. Approach a paved road that leads down to the Crittenden storm water pumping station and turn sharply left at the pump station. Then, at the trail sign, turn right toward the Stevens Creek Trail. Turn left onto Stevens Creek Trail and then right onto the rust-colored bridge to the levee. You can see Moffett Field to the east. From the bridge, walk to your left along the levee.

Having entered a birders' paradise, watch for dramatic white pelicans, great egrets and great blue herons. Cormorants, black-necked stilts, pied-billed grebes, coots, pintails and mallards are also common. Plant life along the creek bed and in the marshes reflects the salty habitat. Cord grass and pickleweed are plentiful. The parasitic salt weed dodder creates colorful yellow-orange patches on thethe Stevens Creek Shoreline Nature Study Area. To pick up the Stevens Creek Trail from Caltrain's Mountain View station, go north on Moffett Boulevard and right on Central Avenue, then enter the Stevens Creek Trail. Continue north into Shoreline park. Cross the rust-colored, arched metal bridge that spans Stevens Creek to reach the preserve's levee trail.

From Highway 101 heading south, take the Rengstorff Avenue exit. Stay right at the fork, following the signs for Amphitheater Parkway. Turn left at North Shoreline Boulevard and continue through the entrance kiosk at Shoreline at Mountain View Park. Turn right into the "Kite Area" parking lot. By car, from Highway 101 heading north, exit at Shoreline Boulevard in Mountain View, and continue north on Shoreline through the entrance kiosk at Shoreline at