22 Fun Things to Do in Palo Alto, California Today

While San Francisco is the first city people think of whenever California’s Bay Area is mentioned, several other cities make sizable contributions to the region. One of these is Palo Alto, a mid-sized city of 66,649. Palo Alto was founded in 1894 by Leland Stanford, an American naturalist who founded the esteemed Stanford University. Palo Alto is Spanish for “tall stick” and is so named for the giant redwood trees that grow in this area of the country.

Palo Alto has lots going for it. It’s the birthplace of Silicon Valley, the representative region of the technology and innovation industries. While it is one of the most expensive cities in the United States, the high quality of education and the vast array of amenities it provides its citizens make it a desirable place with many opportunities.

People who live in Palo Alto or the greater Bay Area are always looking for fun and exciting things to do. We’ve compiled this list for anyone living there, looking to relocate, or planning to visit this west coast city. Here are 22 top-rated fun things to do in Palo Alto, CA.

STANFORD UNIVERSITY ATTRACTIONS

As a significant part of the city, Stanford’s campus is where many exciting things happen. Many of these activities are available to the general public as well as students. Here are just a few.

1. Take a Tour of Stanford University

Stanford is one of the best academic institutions in the nation, consistently ranking as high or higher than some of the schools from the Ivy League. Whether you’re considering enrolling in a program, the University’s campus is worth checking out. It’s large enough to warrant its own zip code, although it is considered part of Palo Alto’s city limits. The prestigious University is also home to unique educational architecture, state-of-the-art athletic facilities, and an overall classic college atmosphere.

2. Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University 

Cantor Center is home to 24 separate art galleries and 15 special exhibits each year. It’s been open since 1891 and has since amassed over 38,000 pieces of art for public enjoyment. Those around Stanford’s campus, the city of Palo Alto, and the Bay Area can take advantage of free daily admission, educational tours, and special lectures year-round. The Cantor Arts Center is considered one of the largest and most coveted collections of University art in the entire country.

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3. Stanford Dish

The Stanford Dish is more of a novelty visit than anything else, but it’s a cool stop, regardless. The radio telescope was built by the Stanford Research Institute in 1961. It is 150 feet across in diameter and is still used today for various educational and research purposes. The dish also has a 3.7-mile trail around it, a popular spot for walkers and joggers. People who aren’t interested in the dish but need to get outside and exercise can still enjoy the area.

4. Stanford Shopping Center

Who doesn’t love a good shopping spree? The Stanford Shopping Center is an open-air outdoor mall located on the campus of Stanford University. The facility is enormous, as it houses over 140 specialty businesses and plenty of restaurants and cafes. It’s even a pleasant place to take a walk, with fountains, sculptures, and gardens adding to the peaceful aesthetic of the mall.

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PALO ALTO ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS

Outside the University campus, Palo Alto has a terrific downtown area and a plethora of friendly neighborhoods to explore. If you’re looking for unique and exciting activities around town, you will do worse than check out these options.

5. Take a Walking Tour of the City

Palo Alto has numerous companies that offer walking tours of various parts of the city. The biggest challenge is finding the right one for you. Find a guided tour of downtown, Stanford University, or one of the many historic neighborhoods, or use a local website to conduct a self-guided walk. You’ll get some exercise and fresh air while learning about the city and its local traditions.

6. Hewlett Packard Garage

Since Palo Alto is the center of the tech industry’s Silicon Valley, it’s no surprise that it’s also the home of the exact location where the industry took off. The unassuming suburban home built in 1905 would become a historic landmark in the story of California’s computing business.

It was rented in 1938 by David and Lucille Packard, who would use the home’s small garage to work on their computers. The breakthroughs they achieved there became the stuff of legend. Their garage became a National Historic Landmark in 2007. While it is not usually open to the public, you can drive by and get a photograph.

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7. Participate in a Scavenger Hunt 

Bay Mystery Scavenger Hunt runs events that don’t necessarily take place in Palo Alto (some of them do). Still, they are a regional Silicon Valley favorite. Groups of up to 15 can book special events that take them through various businesses in the area. Many of these events involve sampling food, drink, and local culture while trying to solve a crime or find the answer to a narrative mystery. There’s no better way to get to know the area around Palo Alto.

8. Palomo Archery

Archers in other cities often need help finding an excellent place to practice. Not in Palo Alto! Palomo Archery is a fully-equipped indoor archery range offering lane and equipment rentals, lessons, and a professionally-trained staff ready to keep all guests safe and happy during their visit. The space is also rented to larger groups, such as corporate teams and families. Be sure to book in advance, as space is limited.

9. Junior Museum and Zoo

The Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo were conceived during the Great Depression in the United States as a place for children to come and spend some leisure time. Today the zoo is home to over 200 individual animals spanning over 50 species. Some of the favorites for children are the pink flamingos and the giant tortoise. Children can stimulate their curiosity inside the museum with a large selection of science exhibits designed to educate young minds about the world around them and how it works.

10. Play Polo on a Segway

The Bay Area would be the birthplace of Segway Polo, a variation on the popular horseback sport where the players ride on segways instead. The sport was developed in the region back in 2003 and since has grown into an international phenomenon, with teams from Europe and Latin America getting in on the friendly tournaments and competitions. The Segway Off-Road company offers lessons for anyone who wants to learn. Other startups exist in the area as well.

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11. Music on the Square

Every summer, nearby Redwood City’s Courthouse Square hosts a free concert series on Friday evenings. These concerts are all family-friendly and feature a wide array of regional acts playing all genres and covering well-known rock and pop acts. 2022 was their 16th season, and they show no signs of slowing down anytime soon. So if you’re in Palo Alto or the surrounding area from June-September, take a trip to hear some great tunes on a Friday.

12. Palo Alto Art Center

According to its website, Palo Alto Art Center engages over 150,000 people annually through its exhibits, events, classes, and community outreach programs. That’s a significant amount of folks. The center was founded in 1971 as a place where any community member could show up to engage with the local art scene and create some of their own. The center is also highly invested in the local education system, visiting schools and providing great classes and programs for children.

13. Stanford Theater

Managed by a group called the Stanford Theater Foundation, this theater is dedicated to treating audiences to the classic films from Hollywood’s golden age before technology allowed the general population to see these films from their homes. The theater opened in 1925 and still regularly hosts showings of films from that era up through the 1950s and 60s. Whether on a date, a night out with friends, or looking to share classic cinema with your children, check out the schedule at the Stanford Theater.

14. Farmers Markets

Eating locally-produced food is a great way to support small businesses and ensure you eat only the healthiest available products. Palo Alto is home to three regular farmers markets so that locals can pick the best. The Downtown Palo Alto Farmers Market is open every Saturday morning, the California Avenue Farmers Market operates on Sundays, and the V.A. Palo Alto Farmers Market is open on select weekdays.

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PALO ALTO’S GREAT OUTDOORS

Northern California is known for its comfortable weather. It never gets too cold in the winter or too hot in the summer. To that end, people around Palo Alto will want to get outside and experience some of the region’s extraordinary nature.

15. Redwood Grove Nature Preserve

The Redwood Grove is a 6-acre nature preserve featuring a beautiful patch of redwood trees, a meadow, and other natural areas observable to all lovers of the outdoors. Palo Alto’s Parks department runs summer camps for kids and programs for adults out of the area. A nonprofit preservation group is responsible for the site’s restoration and upkeep. It’s perfect for a walk or a picnic.

16. Rinconada Park

Looking for a place to observe or photograph some giant redwoods? How about taking a swim in the local municipal pool? Or getting involved in a pickup sports game? Rinconada Park, one of the oldest in Palo Alto, has all this and more. Locals have been enjoying the facility since the 1920s. It’s a favorite among children, too, with multiple playgrounds installed on the 19-acre property.

17. Baylands Nature Preserve

With 15 miles of trails and almost 2,000 acres of undisturbed marshland, Baylands Nature Preserve is one of the largest preserved habitats in San Francisco Bay. It is considered the best place for bird watching in the state, as the natural habitat for many species. There’s also a duck pond and a Nature Interpretive Center for visitors.

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PALO ALTO RESTAURANT SCENE

Any great city will have its share of popular local restaurants. If you’re visiting Palo Alto, there’s no better way to find an enjoyable dining experience than talking to some of the residents, but for now, here’s our list of a few great choices.

18. Sundance 

Known as Palo Alto’s best steakhouse, Sundance provides an intimate setting that’s luxurious and classy for all guests. The dining room has the air of an upscale restaurant, but they also offer take-out and a semi-private space for large parties to book. Sundance is known most for its rich cuts of beef but also serves incredible fish and chicken dishes so everyone can get their fix.

19. Terun Pizzeria

With a focus on the freshest ingredients and a perfectionist philosophy, Terun has some of the most popular pizzas in the bay area. The three founders were all born in southern Italy, so they know what it takes to make an authentic wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizza. Other menu items are also available.

20. Fambrini’s Cafe

This family-owned restaurant has a menu based on specialty recipes and old secrets. Their sandwiches are all crafted to be unique, and they use the freshest ingredients in all of their creative offerings. The European philosophy is to create food pleasing to the senses, and they deliver on that promise.

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21. Sun of Wolf

When choosing to go out for Mexican food, it’s essential to know where the best local spots are. Sun of Wolf is that spot for Palo Alto. The restaurant is run by a group of siblings who chose the name to represent their family ties. Their philosophy is to combine old-world Mexican flavors with modern Bay Area sensibilities. The result is a unique, enjoyable, classy experience.

22. Freewheel Brewing Company

Located just up the road in Redwood City, Freewheel Brewing is the most popular beer brewer in the region. Their tap room is perfect for patrons to sip on some unique California brews, and they also offer a full lunch and dinner menu. They’re closed on Mondays and Thursdays but open for the rest of the week for lunch and dinner.

Conclusion:

From the technology industry to a prestigious university, to wondrous natural landscapes, to fantastic local businesses, Palo Alto is an exciting place with no shortage of fun things to do. People of all ages can get lost in the excitement here for weeks. As part of the more extensive Bay Area and Northern California region, Palo Alto is a big winner.

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