Jane's Guidebook
Food scene
As a well-heeled suburb, Palo Alto has always served classic steaks and chops in comfortable bars and grills. But as big tech booms, wallets are getting fatter and appetites more ambitious, attracting a few world-class chefs who are setting out serious tasting menus. That said, this is still a college town filled with hungry students, and not to mention, some software engineers are simply allergic to overpaying for lunch. From high-end Californian and Indian restaurants where you’ll bump elbows with tech execs to hummus and curries for students on a budget, there’s something for everyone to eat University Avenue.
University Avenue
University AvenueAs a well-heeled suburb, Palo Alto has always served classic steaks and chops in comfortable bars and grills. But as big tech booms, wallets are getting fatter and appetites more ambitious, attracting a few world-class chefs who are setting out serious tasting menus. That said, this is still a college town filled with hungry students, and not to mention, some software engineers are simply allergic to overpaying for lunch. From high-end Californian and Indian restaurants where you’ll bump elbows with tech execs to hummus and curries for students on a budget, there’s something for everyone to eat University Avenue.
Shopping
On the outskirts of the Stanford University campus, this shopping plaza is popular for window browsing and eating out. Fashion interests at the Stanford Shopping Center range from athletic casual to extravagant formal wear, including popular upscale clothing brands such as Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, and Louis Vuitton. Numerous restaurants offer fresh entrees at the shopping center, with new eateries opening every year. Home to an annual Summer Jazz Series, the Stanford Shopping Center also hosts weekly meetups, fashion shows, and sponsored events.
526 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Stanford Shopping Center
660 Stanford Shopping CenterOn the outskirts of the Stanford University campus, this shopping plaza is popular for window browsing and eating out. Fashion interests at the Stanford Shopping Center range from athletic casual to extravagant formal wear, including popular upscale clothing brands such as Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, and Louis Vuitton. Numerous restaurants offer fresh entrees at the shopping center, with new eateries opening every year. Home to an annual Summer Jazz Series, the Stanford Shopping Center also hosts weekly meetups, fashion shows, and sponsored events.
Sightseeing
The campus of Stanford University is simply beautiful. The historic Main Quad is the central attraction, displaying California Mission Revival architecture with lush backdrops of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Other campus attractions stem from the Main Quad, including the towering 285-foot Hoover Tower on the horizon, named after the 31st president of the United States, Herbert Hoover. Visitors can take an elevator to the top of the tower for a bird's-eye view of campus.
537 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Universidad Stanford
450 Serra MallThe campus of Stanford University is simply beautiful. The historic Main Quad is the central attraction, displaying California Mission Revival architecture with lush backdrops of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Other campus attractions stem from the Main Quad, including the towering 285-foot Hoover Tower on the horizon, named after the 31st president of the United States, Herbert Hoover. Visitors can take an elevator to the top of the tower for a bird's-eye view of campus.
This is much more than your average Apple store you go to for repairs or to buy the latest i-technology. While this Apple store sells pretty much the same products as the rest, you’ll also find special merchandise such as Apple T-shirts, mugs and pens. After all, a Silicon Valley visit just wouldn’t be complete without a trip to one of the world’s most well-known tech companies – and who could pass up the chance to buy an “I Visited The MotherShip” T-shirt?
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Apple Park
One Apple Park WayThis is much more than your average Apple store you go to for repairs or to buy the latest i-technology. While this Apple store sells pretty much the same products as the rest, you’ll also find special merchandise such as Apple T-shirts, mugs and pens. After all, a Silicon Valley visit just wouldn’t be complete without a trip to one of the world’s most well-known tech companies – and who could pass up the chance to buy an “I Visited The MotherShip” T-shirt?
Nature
Bordering East Palo Alto and the San Francisco Bay, Baylands Nature Preserve encompasses nearly 2,000 acres of undisturbed marshland habitat. Uncovering the true nature of the South Bay Area, this open space provides an immediate disconnect from the hustle and bustle of Palo Alto and the surrounding cities. The 15 miles of trails in the nature preserve are popular for hiking, running, and bicycling, and a nearby sailing station allows boats to get onto the water.
49 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Baylands Nature Preserve
2500 Embarcadero RoadBordering East Palo Alto and the San Francisco Bay, Baylands Nature Preserve encompasses nearly 2,000 acres of undisturbed marshland habitat. Uncovering the true nature of the South Bay Area, this open space provides an immediate disconnect from the hustle and bustle of Palo Alto and the surrounding cities. The 15 miles of trails in the nature preserve are popular for hiking, running, and bicycling, and a nearby sailing station allows boats to get onto the water.
South of the city and opposite Interstate 280, Pearson-Arastradero Preserve encompasses over 600 acres of woodlands, grasslands, and a thriving riparian habitat. About 10 miles of multi-use trails span the preserve and are popular with hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders. The preserve borders Los Altos Hills and Stanford University, with distant views of the San Francisco Bay. Fishing is popular within the preserve at Arastradero Lake, and wildlife is also abundant, with common sightings including deer, wild turkeys, and the occasional bobcat.
30 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pearson-Arastradero Preserve
1530 Arastradero RdSouth of the city and opposite Interstate 280, Pearson-Arastradero Preserve encompasses over 600 acres of woodlands, grasslands, and a thriving riparian habitat. About 10 miles of multi-use trails span the preserve and are popular with hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders. The preserve borders Los Altos Hills and Stanford University, with distant views of the San Francisco Bay. Fishing is popular within the preserve at Arastradero Lake, and wildlife is also abundant, with common sightings including deer, wild turkeys, and the occasional bobcat.
Located on Reservoir Road in the Stanford foothills, the Stanford Dish is a landmark radio telescope with scenic paved trail loops.
Built in 1966 by the Stanford Research institute, the 150-foot diameter (46 meter) dish was funded by the United States Air Force in order to study the composition of the atmosphere. Because of its unique construction with a separate receiver and transmitter, the dish became a powerful means of communicating with satellites and spacecraft.
The dish’s communication range is so strong that it was able to transmit signals to the NASA Voyager spacecrafts on the outer edge of the solar system. The 3.5-mile trail around the dish is popular with runners and joggers.
41 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Stanford Dish
400 Reservoir RdLocated on Reservoir Road in the Stanford foothills, the Stanford Dish is a landmark radio telescope with scenic paved trail loops.
Built in 1966 by the Stanford Research institute, the 150-foot diameter (46 meter) dish was funded by the United States Air Force in order to study the composition of the atmosphere. Because of its unique construction with a separate receiver and transmitter, the dish became a powerful means of communicating with satellites and spacecraft.
The dish’s communication range is so strong that it was able to transmit signals to the NASA Voyager spacecrafts on the outer edge of the solar system. The 3.5-mile trail around the dish is popular with runners and joggers.
Monte Bello Open Space Preserve is a 3,436-acre park full of dense forests, rolling grasslands, and magnificent vistas. The preserve stretches from Monte Bello Ridge to Skyline Ridge and is one of the region’s most diverse ecosystems rich in wildlife. There are several hiking and biking trails that can take visitors to the most beautiful areas of the preserve. Stevens Creek Nature Trail is a three-mile loop suitable for all fitness levels.
It takes about three hours to complete the loop. Canyon Trail goes along the spine of the Monte Bello Preserve and is very popular among bicyclists. Monte Bello is a great place to watch birds’ migration, take in the views, or just enjoy being outdoors.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Monte Bello Preserve
4301 Page Mill RoadMonte Bello Open Space Preserve is a 3,436-acre park full of dense forests, rolling grasslands, and magnificent vistas. The preserve stretches from Monte Bello Ridge to Skyline Ridge and is one of the region’s most diverse ecosystems rich in wildlife. There are several hiking and biking trails that can take visitors to the most beautiful areas of the preserve. Stevens Creek Nature Trail is a three-mile loop suitable for all fitness levels.
It takes about three hours to complete the loop. Canyon Trail goes along the spine of the Monte Bello Preserve and is very popular among bicyclists. Monte Bello is a great place to watch birds’ migration, take in the views, or just enjoy being outdoors.
Arts
Adjacent to the Rinconada Public Library and expansive Rinconada Community Garden, the Palo Alto Art Center features rotating displays of local and regional artwork. Offering numerous art classes for children, teens, and adults, the Art Center also hosts summer camps for kids and teens. The entire campus of the Art Center is filled with outdoor attractions, including a unique sculpture garden and events like the Great Glass Pumpkin Patch.
Across the street from the Palo Alto Center, the family-friendly Rinconada Park offers hiking trails and numerous amenities to explore. The city's second oldest park, large redwoods, and oak trees cast plenty of shade across the 19 acres of Rinconada Park, providing great places for picnics or an afternoon nap. Home to Palo Alto's Municipal Pool, Rinconada Park also features tennis courts, playground equipment, and a Magic Forest.
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Palo Alto Art Center
1313 Newell RdAdjacent to the Rinconada Public Library and expansive Rinconada Community Garden, the Palo Alto Art Center features rotating displays of local and regional artwork. Offering numerous art classes for children, teens, and adults, the Art Center also hosts summer camps for kids and teens. The entire campus of the Art Center is filled with outdoor attractions, including a unique sculpture garden and events like the Great Glass Pumpkin Patch.
Across the street from the Palo Alto Center, the family-friendly Rinconada Park offers hiking trails and numerous amenities to explore. The city's second oldest park, large redwoods, and oak trees cast plenty of shade across the 19 acres of Rinconada Park, providing great places for picnics or an afternoon nap. Home to Palo Alto's Municipal Pool, Rinconada Park also features tennis courts, playground equipment, and a Magic Forest.
Located on Lomita Drive at Museum Way, the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University is an art museum that opened in 1894 and has more than 130,000 square feet of space. Formerly called the Stanford University Museum of Art, the museum is famous for its outstanding collection of sculptures by the French artist Auguste Rodin; there are 199 sculptures by Rodin, many of which are displayed in the B.
Gerald Cantor Rodin Sculpture Garden. The Cantor Arts Center is one of the best Palo Alto attractions. One of his most famous works, The Thinker, is on display in the center. Works by other artists and from other parts of the world are also exhibited at the museum.
143 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Centro de Artes Visuales Iris & B. Gerald Cantor
328 Lomita DrLocated on Lomita Drive at Museum Way, the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University is an art museum that opened in 1894 and has more than 130,000 square feet of space. Formerly called the Stanford University Museum of Art, the museum is famous for its outstanding collection of sculptures by the French artist Auguste Rodin; there are 199 sculptures by Rodin, many of which are displayed in the B.
Gerald Cantor Rodin Sculpture Garden. The Cantor Arts Center is one of the best Palo Alto attractions. One of his most famous works, The Thinker, is on display in the center. Works by other artists and from other parts of the world are also exhibited at the museum.
Located on University Avenue, the Stanford Theatre is a historic and famous independent movie theater in Palo Alto. It was built in 1925 as a movie palace in the style of neoclassical Moorish and Persian architecture and design. In 1987, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation bought and restored the theatre.
Today, this popular establishment features classical movies dating from 1910 to 1970 and hosts many film festivals focused on directors and actors like Betty Davis, Cary Grant, and Alfred Hitchcock. One of the theater’s best-known features is its theater organ, the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. If you are looking for romantic date ideas in Palo Alto, visitors are treated to an experience of seeing a moving picture in a classical movie house setting as films were intended to be seen.
67 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Stanford Theatre
221 University AveLocated on University Avenue, the Stanford Theatre is a historic and famous independent movie theater in Palo Alto. It was built in 1925 as a movie palace in the style of neoclassical Moorish and Persian architecture and design. In 1987, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation bought and restored the theatre.
Today, this popular establishment features classical movies dating from 1910 to 1970 and hosts many film festivals focused on directors and actors like Betty Davis, Cary Grant, and Alfred Hitchcock. One of the theater’s best-known features is its theater organ, the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. If you are looking for romantic date ideas in Palo Alto, visitors are treated to an experience of seeing a moving picture in a classical movie house setting as films were intended to be seen.