About Palo Alto
Palo Alto in California isn't, but should be, named the city beautiful. With broad tree-lined boulevards where hacienda-style residences stand proudly fronting exquisitely manicured gardens, its antiquated appearance belies the fact it is part of Los Angeles' major technological zone, Silicon Valley.
Palo Alto has come a long way since the late 18th century when all there was of the city was a Spanish mission. The 21st century sees Palo Alto home to almost as many large tech companies and research centers as people. Even their presence can't detract from the stunning landscapes around Palo Alto which are made up of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the Los Altos Hills, and numerous parks and nature preserves.
Natural beauty isn't the only thing celebrated in Palo Alto by a long chalk. This city has incredible art and history museums, excellent wineries, a superior food scene, and many venues hosting outdoor music events. Palo Alto is a city to be enjoyed inside and out, a place where you can immerse yourself in the past and the present, try a new wine that will be a future vintage, and let your hair down as if it was still the 1960s.
Things to do in Palo Alto
There are two main elements differentiating the things to do in Palo Alto and they are indoor and outdoor. Palo Alto has sensational outdoor spaces where you can hike through wildernesses that once you're there you'll feel like you're the only person on earth or at least the only person in Silicon Valley. There are museums where the artworks rival the beauty of nature and places to visit in the city that will make you realize just how recent all of the modern technology we now take so for granted actually is. Palo Alto is in every aspect a contrast between old and new that is both eye-opening and awe-inspiring.
- Fascinate the youngsters in the family with a visit to the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo where they can learn by playing on interactive exhibits and get close up to over fifty different animals.
- Step back into the past with a tour of the Los Altos History Museum and not only will you discover facts about the bygone days, but how the area changed from being agriculturally based to the high-tech industrial center it is today.
- Immerse yourself in the innovations and technology of the modern world by browsing the exhibits at the Museum of American Heritage.
- Learn all about California wine with a visit to one of the first established wineries in the state, the Mountain Winery. Time your visit right and you could catch a show in the winery's amphitheater.
- Get a cultural fix by pondering the artwork on display at the Iris and B Gerald Center for Visual Arts. When you've gone around the internal exhibitions head outside to the sculpture garden.
Transit options in Palo Alto
- The Caltrain connects Palo Alto with San Francisco and the surrounding area. It also links with the Bay Area Rapid Transit, or BART, line, making it easy to get around.
- The Stanford-Marguerite Shuttle Bus Service connects Stanford University and its medical center with Palo Alto. The bus stops at Palo Alto Transit Center, connecting it with the Caltrain.
- VTA Bus operates a number of bus lines in Palo Alto, making it easy to get around the city without a car.
Luggage storage in Palo Alto
Using public transport to get around in Palo Alto isn't convenient when you have bags with you. Going into museums and galleries with a suitcase is also a no-no. Leave your bags at a Bounce luggage storage service in Palo Alto and wherever you go the doors will be wide open. Bounce is the most economical and most secure option for storing your bags in Palo Alto while you get to know this incredible city and will give you peace of mind too.
Attractions and activities near Palo Alto
- California's Great America: California's Great America is a huge theme park in Santa Clara. The park covers over a hundred acres with rides and attractions that will literally blow your mind. From single-rail roller coasters to sky-high spinning swings to a big wheel with a five-bar thrill level, this park has it all. For a more sedate ride with scenic views included, board the park's cable car or have a fun drive on the dodgem cars. If you decide to go here for the day, pack towels and swimwear as there's a massive water park too.
- Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum: The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum is a museum in San Jose dedicated to all things related to ancient Egypt. Enter through the portal of this incredible building which looks just like a columned temple and you'll be in a wonderland of artifacts ranging from tablets with hieroglyphics to sarcophagi complete with mummies and golden jewelry fit for Queen Cleopatra herself. The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum only opens three days of the week, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
- Filoli Historic House and Garden: The Filoli Historic House and Gardens are a well-preserved country estate with a seventy-room mansion as a centerpiece. The house was built over a period of three years and is a luxurious example of how the rich lived. The ornateness spreads from the muralled walls of the ballroom to the gilded taps of its sixteen bathrooms. Be prepared to be awed by the kitchen, staff quarters, furniture, the gardens, and the orchards. It really is a different world.