Matadero Creek

Matadero Creek is an eight-mile waterway that begins in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains and travels through Los Altos Hills and Stanford lands before reaching Palo Alto. Its name, which translates from Spanish as slaughtering place, refers to a history of cattle ranching on the surrounding land. Over the decades, the creek has appeared on maps under various titles, including Crosby's Creek and Madera Creek, the latter reflecting a time when the area was valued for its timber.