Things to do in Palo Alto

Activities, attractions and tours

Visit Palo Alto

Types of activities

Where to stay

Palo Alto Travel Guide

Aerial view of commercial and residential areas of Palo Alto, California toward Mountain View along El Camino Real near Page Mill Road

Aerial view of Hoover Tower at Stanford University, California, USA. The tower is a landmark, housing archives. Palo Alto, California, USA. 28 December 2024.

Cliffs and large half moon shaped beach, Pacific Ocean Coast, Half Moon Bay, California

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, USA - JULY 2, 2019: Municipal Rose Garden

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Redwood Forest & Santa Cruz Harbor Day Tour from San Francisco

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Redwood&Crater Lake National Park&Oregon 3-Day Tour from San Francisco

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Filoli House & Garden

What to do in Palo Alto

Popular places to visit

Stanford University

Enjoy the collegiate vibe around Stanford University, a top university in Palo Alto. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

girl holding shopping bags on sunny day outdoors

Stanford Shopping Center

You can enjoy retail therapy at Stanford Shopping Center during your trip to Palo Alto. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

Baylands Nature Preserve

Enjoy the mountain views and explore Baylands Nature Preserve, a lovely green space in Palo Alto. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

Aerial view of Stanford University, Palo Alto, Silicon Valley, California, USA.

Hoover Tower

Find out about the history of Palo Alto with a stop at Hoover Tower. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

Le Penseur dans le jardin du Musée Rodin, Paris.

Rodin Sculpture Garden

Enjoy the mountain views and explore Rodin Sculpture Garden, a lovely green space in Palo Alto. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

Stanford Stadium

Catch an event at Stanford Stadium during your trip to Palo Alto. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

Stanford University Golf Course

Enjoy a round of golf in Palo Alto at Stanford University Golf Course. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

Palo Alto Art Center

Enjoy an outing to Palo Alto Art Center during your stay in Palo Alto. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

Stanford Maples Pavillion

Catch an event at Stanford Maples Pavillion during your trip to Palo Alto. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

Areas of Palo Alto

Stanford

You'll enjoy the churches and monuments in Stanford. You might want to make time for a stop at Stanford Stadium or Stanford Shopping Center.

A boardwalk at Baylands Nature Preserve. Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California, USA

East Palo Alto

You'll enjoy the mountain views and restaurants in East Palo Alto. You might want to make time for a stop at San Francisco Bay or Silicon Valley.

Aerial view of towards Stanford campus and Hoover tower, Palo Alto and Silicon Valley from the Stanford dish hills, California, USA

Barron Park

Though Barron Park might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like San Antonio Shopping Center and San Andreas Fault Trail.

Midtown

While Midtown might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Palo Alto Art Center and Stanford Stadium.

2024-01-16 BRICK BUILDING WTH ARCHES AND SQUARE WINDOWS ALONG A TILED WALKWAY WITH A GREEN PARK LIKE SCENE AT THE END OF THE WALKWAY IN PALO ALTO CALIFORNIA

Old Palo Alto

Old Palo Alto might not have many top sights, but Palo Alto Art Center and Stanford Stadium are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

portrait of cheerful asian Korean female international student carrying book and looking at camera with smile against background of school campus and hoover tower in California usa

Ventura

While Ventura might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Palo Alto Art Center and Stanford Stadium.

Menlo Park

Panoramic view of snow mountains and citrus trees and Santa Rosa Valley and homes Ventura California during winter snow storms

Mountain View

Redwood City

San Francisco Bay bridge in the evening.

Los Altos

Frequently asked questions

Is Palo Alto worth visiting?

Whether you want to experience the local charm and cultural hotspots or sample unique foods and explore the outdoors, there are plenty of things to do in Palo Alto.

How do I spend a day in Palo Alto?

Start your adventures with a visit to Golfland USA and Los Altos History Museum. Then, explore other areas of Palo Alto for a bite to eat and some shopping.

What is the top tourist attraction in Palo Alto?

Shoreline Amphitheatre is one of the top tourist attractions in Palo Alto and deserves a spot on every must-do list of the area.

Is three days enough to stay in Palo Alto?

Three days will be enough time to check out many city attractions, like Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts and Los Altos History Museum. The average stay in Palo Alto is two days. If you feel the urge to extend your escape, San Francisco isn't far away.

Is Palo Alto a walkable city?

With popular neighborhoods and top attractions within walking distance of the city center, Palo Alto is a good destination to discover on foot. Enjoy wandering between Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo and Shoreline Park. Then take a stroll through Ventura, located 2 kilometers from the center, and Barron Park, which is roughly 3 kilometers away.

What are some activities to do in Palo Alto with kids?

Whether you're vacationing with tiny adventurers or thrill-loving teens, an itinerary filled with cool activities sets the tone for a great escape. Take a look at our recommendations for what to do in Palo Alto with kids.

What to do in Palo Alto for adults?

There are loads of things to do in Palo Alto, with entertainment for adults of all ages. Cap off your day with a visit to Computer History Museum or NASA Ames Research.

Are there free things to do in Palo Alto?

One of the top ways to learn about free things to do in Palo Alto is to ask a local tour guide. You'll get insider recommendations on interesting neighborhoods, parks and other hotspots you can visit without reaching into your pocket. Los Altos History Museum is one sight that doesn't charge an entrance fee.

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