What to do in Palo Alto, CA

Activities, attractions and tours

Palo Alto
Aerial view of commercial and residential areas of Palo Alto, California toward Mountain View along El Camino Real near Page Mill Road
Aerial drone view of dense modern suburban residential neighborhood in Mountain View, California
A university campus with a prominent clock tower, surrounded by trees and buildings with red-tiled roofs.
A coastal landscape with cliffs, a sandy beach, and the ocean.

Palo Alto Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Palo Alto has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Palo Alto, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Palo Alto with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Palo Alto

Palo Alto is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Palo Alto, and make it a breeze to explore Palo Alto and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Palo Alto to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Palo Alto, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Palo Alto.

Palo Alto attractions

Palo Alto has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Palo Alto to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Palo Alto.

Looking for things to do in Palo Alto can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Palo Alto or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Palo Alto attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

Things to do

Private Walking Tour in Stanford University

Stanford University Personalized Self-Guided App Tour

£4
per traveller
Stanford University Personalized Self-Guided App Tour
Two Flight Indoor Skydiving Experience

Two Flight Indoor Skydiving Experience

£93
per traveller
80% of travellers recommend
Two Flight Indoor Skydiving Experience
Silicon Valley Tech Tour

Silicon Valley Tech Tour

£137
per adult
Silicon Valley Tech Tour
Beginner Outdoor Rock Climbing - Bay Area

Beginner Outdoor Rock Climbing - Bay Area

£96
per adult
Beginner Outdoor Rock Climbing - Bay Area
Spa-Quality On Demand Massage - Silicon Valley

Spa-Quality On Demand Massage - Silicon Valley

£133
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Spa-Quality On Demand Massage - Silicon Valley
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Most fun & popular experiences in Palo Alto

Tours & day trips

See all 19 activities
Silicon Valley Private 2-Hour Driving Tour

Silicon Valley Private 2-Hour Driving Tour

Activity duration is 3 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 2 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £38 per traveller*
Silicon Valley Private 2-Hour Driving TourOpens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

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

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

Activity duration is 3 days
Price is £730 per traveller*
Redwood&Crater Lake National Park&Oregon 3-Day Tour from San FranciscoOpens in new tab

Adventure & outdoor

See all 3 activities
Two Flight Indoor Skydiving Experience

Two Flight Indoor Skydiving Experience

Activity duration is 1 hour
8.0 out of 10 with 3 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £94 per traveller
Two Flight Indoor Skydiving ExperienceOpens in new tab

Attractions

See all 3 activities
Filoli House & Garden

Filoli House & Garden

Activity duration is 2 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Price is £29 per adult
Filoli House & GardenOpens in new tab

Recommended things to do in Palo Alto

Number of things to do
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
:
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Palo Alto

Popular places to visit

A university campus with red-roofed buildings, a prominent clock tower, and a scenic view of hills in the distance.

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
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
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
A university campus with a prominent clock tower, a central building with 'KNOW JUSTICE KNOW PEACE' signage, and surrounding residential areas.

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

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

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

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.

Palo Alto Art Center

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.

Stanford Maples Pavillion

Where to stay in Palo Alto

Find the best Palo Alto areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Palo Alto
Learn more about Palo Alto
Aerial View of a University in Palo Alto, California.

University South

While visiting University South, you might make a stop by sights like Hewlett Packard House and Garage and Downtown Palo Alto Farmers' Market.

Downtown, Palo Alto in Silicon Valley,, California, United States of America.

Downtown North

While Downtown North may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Stanford Shopping Center and Stanford Theatre.

Paved running trail on the Standford dish surrounding hills; Stanford campus, Palo Alto and Silicon Valley skyline in the background, San Francisco bay area, California

Crescent Park

While Crescent Park may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo and Palo Alto Art Center.

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.

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.

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Palo Alto

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

Redwood City

A long-span suspension bridge at night with illuminated cables, spanning a wide river.

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 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 kms (1 mile) from the centre, and Barron Park, which is roughly 3 kms (2 miles) 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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