What to do in Palo Alto, CA

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Visit Palo Alto

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Palo Alto travel guide

Aerial view of commercial and residential areas of Palo Alto, California toward Mountain View along El Camino Real near Page Mill Road

Palo Alto City Limit road sign on Skyline Boulevard

Ducks paddle happily as they squawk amongst themselves.

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!

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Recommended things to do in Palo Alto

Number of things to do	30
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia	Stanford University Personalised Self-Guided App Tour: £4
Top 5 things to do	Woodside: Filoli Historic House and Garden Entry Ticket Stanford University Personalised Self-Guided App Tour Filoli House & Garden Agnews Historic Park Personalised Self-Guided App Tour All Day Unlimited Games in Silicon Valley
Half-day tours	Stanford University Personalised Self-Guided App Tour Filoli House & Garden Agnews Historic Park Personalised Self-Guided App Tour Two Flight Indoor Skydiving Experience Biryani and South Indian Classics Cooking Class
With kids	Woodside: Filoli Historic House and Garden Entry Ticket Filoli House & Garden All Day Unlimited Games in Silicon Valley Mini Golf 9-Hole Course in Silicon Valley Experience Biryani and South Indian Classics Cooking Class

What to do in Palo Alto

Popular places to visit

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Nothing but green grass and blue skies at this Palo Alto Preserve. Parking lot full? There is some street parking towards Page Mill. #Parks

Pearson-Arastradero Preserve

Enjoy the mountain views and explore Pearson-Arastradero 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.

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.

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.

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.

Explore areas of Palo Alto

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.

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 San Francisco Bay or Silicon Valley.

Aerial View of a University in Palo Alto, California.

University South

3/5(1 area review)

While visiting University South, you might make a stop by sights like Downtown Palo Alto Farmers' Market and Stanford Theatre.

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 Stanford Stadium and Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

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.

portrait of cheerful asian Korean female international student carrying book and looking at camera with smile against background of school campus and hoover tower in California usa

Ventura

Though Ventura may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Stanford Stadium and San Antonio Shopping Center.

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

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

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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