Things to do in Palo Alto

Activities, attractions and tours

Palo Alto
Palo Alto
Palo Alto City Limit road sign on Skyline Boulevard
F688EF PALO ALTO, USA - OCT 22 2014
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What to do in Palo Alto

Popular places to visit

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Stanford University

Enjoy the student 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.

Stanford University
Stanford University Medical Center

Stanford University Medical Center

If Stanford University Medical Center is what brings you to town, hopefully you'll have a chance to explore more of Palo Alto.

Stanford University Medical Center
girl holding shopping bags on sunny day outdoors

Stanford Shopping Center

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

Stanford Shopping Center
A flock of Willet birds

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.

Baylands Nature Preserve
Hoover Tower overlooking a Stanford University courtyard with its sandstone archways and Spanish style architecture

Hoover Tower

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

Hoover Tower
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.

Rodin Sculpture Garden

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 Stadium

Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford

If Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford is what brings you to town, hopefully you'll have a chance to explore more of Palo Alto.

Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford

Palo Alto VA Hospital

If Palo Alto VA Hospital is what brings you to town, hopefully you'll have a chance to explore more of Palo Alto.

Palo Alto VA Hospital

Areas of Palo Alto

Stanford Dish - Stanford Dish Trail...

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.

Stanford
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 Silicon Valley or San Francisco Bay.

East Palo Alto
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

When in Old Palo Alto, you can plan a visit to Palo Alto Art Center and Stanford Stadium, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Old Palo Alto
Aerial View of a University in Palo Alto, California.

University South

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While visiting University South, you might make a stop by sights like Stanford Theatre and Museum of American Heritage.

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

Barron Park

While Barron Park may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like San Antonio Shopping Center and Stanford Maples Pavillion.

Barron Park
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Midtown

Though Midtown may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Palo Alto Art Center and Stanford Stadium.

Midtown
Aerial view of commercial and residential areas of Menlo Park, California toward Palo Alto along El Camino Real Road near Middle Avenue. Backdrop distant San Francisco Bay and mountains

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 featuring street scenes and a city

Redwood City

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 Centre 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 neighbourhoods and top attractions within walking distance of the city centre, 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 kilometres from the centre, and Barron Park, which is roughly 3 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Palo Alto with kids?
Whether you're holidaying 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 neighbourhoods, 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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