Things to do in Palo Alto

Find and book activities, attractions and tours

Palo Alto
Palo Alto
Palo Alto
Palo Alto
Photo by David Lew
Photo by David Lew

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Most popular activities in Palo Alto

Tours & day trips

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Redwood Forest & Santa Cruz Harbor Day Tour from San Francisco

Redwood Forest & Santa Cruz Harbor Day Tour from San Francisco

Activity duration is 12 hours and 30 minutes
6.0 out of 10 with 2 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥29,052 per traveler
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Food, drink & nightlife

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Napa, Sonoma and Exclusive Battery Spencer Small Group Wine Tasting Tour

Napa, Sonoma and Exclusive Battery Spencer Small Group Wine Tasting Tour

Activity duration is 9 hours
4.0 out of 10 with 2 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥25,158 per traveler
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Attractions

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Two Flight Indoor Skydiving Experience

Two Flight Indoor Skydiving Experience

Activity duration is 1 hour
7.0 out of 10 with 2 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥17,970 per traveler
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What to do in Palo Alto

Discover the most popular places to visit in Palo Alto

Stanford University

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.

Stanford University
Amazing container gardening here. Water-intensive, I imagine.

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.

Stanford Shopping Center
The chapel

Stanford Memorial Church

Stanford Memorial Church is just one of the places to see in Palo Alto, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

Stanford Memorial Church
Hoover Tower

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.

Hoover Tower

Stanford University Medical Center

Though Stanford University Medical Center might be what brings you to town, perhaps you'll have a chance to explore more of Palo Alto while you are here.

Stanford University Medical Center

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

Though Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford might be what brings you to town, perhaps you'll have a chance to explore more of Palo Alto while you are here.

Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford

Palo Alto VA Hospital

Though Palo Alto VA Hospital might be what brings you to town, perhaps you'll have a chance to explore more of Palo Alto while you are here.

Palo Alto VA Hospital

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.

Stanford University Golf Course

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in Palo Alto

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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
It looks pretty but it's too fruity.

East Palo Alto

4/5(4 area reviews)

Situated near the Baylands Nature Preserve, East Palo Alto offers access to a scenic marshland trail and is close to the Ravenswood 101 shopping center. Convenient transportation options include U.S. Route 101 and SamTrans.

East Palo Alto
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Old Palo Alto

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

Old Palo Alto
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Barron Park

4.5/5(36 area reviews)

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 Stanford Maples Pavillion.

Barron Park
These guys fuse Vietnamese food with their own, local knowledge, in a beautiful low lit setting, and hit it out of the park. Shaking beef, black cod, crab and shrimp noodles, dry sauteed curry string beans, accompanied by a frosty Saigon Vietnamese beer. Reminded me of Monsoon in Seattle, or The Slanted Door in SF. Good, knowledgable and helpful wait staff provide a very memorable dining experience. Can't wait to go back.

University South

4.5/5(55 area reviews)

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

University South
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Midtown

3/5(1 area review)

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 Stanford Stadium and Palo Alto Art Center.

Midtown

Popular day trips from Palo Alto

Photo by Quintin Doroquez

Menlo Park

Mountain View

Mountain View

Redwood City featuring a city and street scenes

Redwood City

Los Altos History Museum featuring a house and a garden

Los Altos

Photo by Ragini Srinivasan

Portola Valley

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.