At the epicentre of California’s Silicon Valley, Palo Alto’s famed tech start-up scene is augmented by an impressive line-up of attractions that make the city a great place to visit.
The Apple spaceship campus in Palo Alto (Photo: GetYourGuide.com)
Even the most hard-working engineer or product designer needs some respite from the office toil – and for the great minds driving Palo Alto’s world-renowned tech industry there is plenty to be had. Many of the city’s best things to see and do can be enjoyed by outsiders too, including several notable cultural venues. We’ve picked out some of the most unique ways you can spend your time in the Californian city below.
Book a Silicon Valley guided tour
A global centre for high technology, venture capital, innovation, and social media it may be, but the rarefied environs of Silicon Valley can still be seen at close quarters by mere mortals on a guided tour. The options range from self-guided to private tours, each offering a fascinating glimpse into a world that is driving us all forward into the future. You’ll get to walk through company campuses and visitor centres – though office buildings themselves are normally out of bounds – and if you’ve picked a guided tour you’ll be regaled with fascinating facts and stories by your expert guide along the way. Other highlights include a visit to Stanford, the prestigious school of choice for tech entrepreneurs.
You can book a Silicon Valley tour at GetYourGuide
Visit a bird-watching mecca
After immersing yourself in Palo Alto’s sweeping tech landscape, you may well be in need of some sensory respite. Step forward Baylands Nature Preserve, a nearly 2,000-acre area of undisturbed marshland featuring miles of hiking trails and some of the best bird-watching opportunities anywhere on America’s west coast. Indeed, during spring and fall, the preserve is a prime stopover for birds travelling on the Pacific route of their migration flyway – a phenomenon that draws bird watchers here from around the world. There are plenty of charming picnic spots to enjoy, too.
Residents in the water at Baylands Nature Preserve (Photo: John Loo via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
Get acquainted with the local arts scene
Another oasis of calm in the midst of Silicon Valley, The Foster houses a remarkable collection of watercolour paintings by the artist-explorer Tony Foster. The brainchild of Jane Woodward, a lifelong Palo Alto resident and professor at Stanford University – and an avid collector of Foster’s artwork – the museum opened in 2016 with the aim of inspiring connection to art and the natural world. The beautifully designed space is open to the public by appointment only and offers free admission.
940 Commercial Street / Tues-Fri 10am-4pm Sat-Sun 12pm-4pm Closed Mon
Another popular arts venue, the Palo Alto Art Center offers a variety of art activities suitable for all ages. Catering to everyone from seasoned art enthusiasts to complete beginners, the centre provides a space for visitors to explore and engage with artistic disciplines. Activities take place in the centre’s in-house studios and classrooms, providing a hands-on experience for all. As well as its arts courses and lessons, the venue also plays host to a busy programme of free exhibitions and other events featuring artwork spanning a wide range of media.
1313 Newell Road / Tues-Fri 9am-6pm Sat 10am-5pm Sun 1pm-5pm Mon 9.30am-6pm
Spend a day at the zoo
If you’re visiting Palo Alto with kids, then there’s no more sure-fire winner than the promise of a trip to the zoo. Home to around 200 animal species, Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo is a great place to introduce little ones to the wonders of nature and science. Among the zoo’s residents are such exotic creatures as bobcats, raccoons, hedgehogs, ducks, bats, snakes and more, while a range of hands-on exhibits allow visitors to explore, discover, create and play at their leisure.
1451 Middlefield Road / Tues-Sun 10am-5pm Closed Mon
A tiger shows its best side at Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo (Photo: Allie_Caulfield via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
Head to an urban park
Lush greenery, scenic pathways, and tons of open-air recreational facilities make Rinconada Park a major hit with lovers of the great outdoors. Nestled in the heart of the city, the 19-acre urban park throngs with visitors who come to soak up the beautiful surroundings and make use of the assorted leisure amenities including an outdoor swimming pool, a playground and a sports fields. But this is also a park where you can do as much or as little as you please, with plenty of grassy areas to kick back and relax, tuck into a picnic, or simply watch the world go by.
777 Embarcadero Road / Mon-Sun 7am-10.30pm
Take a stroll through a scenic garden
Spread across some 2.5 acres, the Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden boasts an interesting past, having been the home of Elizabeth Gamble, the eponymous granddaughter of the founder of American consumer goods giant, Proctor & Gamble. Later it was given to the city of Palo Alto and it has since grown to become one of Palo Alto’s most renowned– and pleasing on the eye – attractions, featuring pristinely-maintained herb & rose gardens, a historic home, a carriage house and a tearoom.
1431 Waverley Street / Mon-Sun 7am-7pm
The picturesque environs of Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden (Photo: Sylvain Leprovost via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)