Beyond the Books: The Ultimate Guide to What’s Fun Near Stanford University
So, you’re heading to Stanford. Whether you’re a prospective student trying to get a feel for the place, a proud parent visiting your kid, or just a tourist drawn to the beautiful architecture & intellectual buzz, you’re in for a treat. Stanford University is incredible, no doubt about it. But here’s the thing a lot of people miss: the area around the university is just as amazing.
Honestly, Palo Alto & its surroundings are packed with things to see, do, & eat. It’s this pretty cool mix of brainy innovation, stunning nature, & bougie living. From world-class art collections just sitting there for you to see for FREE, to epic hikes with killer views, this part of California has a vibe all its own.
But where do you even start? It can be a little overwhelming, especially with the pressure to see all the "right" things. That's where I come in. I’ve spent a ton of time exploring this area, from the most famous landmarks to the little hidden gems that only locals seem to know about. Think of me as your friendly guide who’s already done all the trial-and-error for you.
We’ll cover the must-sees on campus, the best spots to get some fresh air, where to shop ‘til you drop, & of course, where to find the most delicious food. I’ll even throw in a few curveballs – things you probably won’t find in the official visitor’s guide.
Let’s get into it.
On-Campus Gems: You Don’t Even Have to Leave!
First things first, let's talk about the treasures you can find without even leaving the university grounds. Stanford’s campus is HUGE & it’s basically a destination in itself. You could easily spend a whole day just wandering around. Finding a spot to leave your car can be a headache, though, especially on weekdays. Here’s a pro-tip: check out Prked. It’s this awesome service where homeowners near campus rent out their driveways & garages for parking. It can be a total lifesaver, often cheaper & WAY more convenient than the official lots.
The Cantor Arts Center & Rodin Sculpture Garden
Okay, if you only do one thing on campus, make it this. The Cantor Arts Center is a fantastic museum with a surprisingly diverse collection. We're talking African art, Native American pieces, & modern works. But the real showstopper is the Rodin collection.
Turns out, Stanford has the largest collection of Auguste Rodin sculptures outside of Paris! It’s pretty wild. You can see nearly 200 of his works, including a massive, iconic cast of "The Thinker." The outdoor sculpture garden is open 24/7 & it’s just a magical place to walk around, especially in the late afternoon light. You’ll find "The Gates of Hell" here, a towering 20-foot masterpiece that Rodin worked on for decades. It’s intense & beautiful all at once. Inside the museum, there are three whole galleries dedicated to Rodin, showcasing not just his finished bronze pieces, but also plaster casts that give you a peek into his creative process.
What’s so special about Rodin, anyway? He’s basically known as the father of modern sculpture because he broke all the old rules. Instead of creating idealized, smooth figures like the ancient Greeks, Rodin’s work is all about raw emotion & realism. His sculptures have this rough, almost unfinished look to them that captures the light in incredible ways. He believed that even a single part of the body, like a hand, could express deep feeling.
The best part? General admission to the Cantor Arts Center is ALWAYS free. They also offer free guided tours of the Rodin collection, which are totally worth it if you can catch one.
Hoover Tower
You can’t miss it. The Hoover Tower is that 285-foot-tall landmark that basically defines the Stanford skyline. It was built to commemorate the university’s 50th anniversary & is named after Herbert Hoover, who was a Stanford alum & the 31st U.S. President.
For a small fee, you can take an elevator up to the observation deck. DO IT. The 360-degree views are absolutely breathtaking. You can see the entire campus laid out below you, with its red-tiled roofs & palm trees, all the way out to the rolling foothills & even glimpses of the San Francisco Bay on a clear day. It’s the perfect way to get your bearings & appreciate the sheer scale & beauty of "The Farm," as Stanford is affectionately known.
Stanford Memorial Church
Even if you’re not religious, you have to see Memorial Church. It’s located right in the center of the Main Quad & it’s just stunning. Jane Stanford built it as a memorial to her husband, Leland Stanford. The architecture is a gorgeous mix of Romanesque & Byzantine styles, inspired by the churches of Venice.
The most incredible part is the mosaics. The walls are covered in these intricate, shimmering tiles of green & gold that tell various biblical stories. The level of detail is just mind-blowing. It’s one of the earliest & most prominent interdenominational churches in the West, which was a pretty progressive idea for its time. It's a peaceful, awe-inspiring place to just sit for a few minutes & take it all in.
The Arizona Garden (aka the Cactus Garden)
Here’s a fun, slightly weird spot on campus. The Arizona Garden, or Cactus Garden, is exactly what it sounds like: a garden full of cacti & other succulents. It was originally planted in the 1880s for Leland & Jane Stanford. Legend has it that it was a popular meeting spot for young couples back in the day.
Today, it’s a cool place to wander around & see some really unusual plants. You'll find everything from towering columnar cacti to bizarre-looking aloes. It’s a little hidden gem that feels a world away from the manicured lawns of the main campus. A great spot for some unique photos.
Outdoor Adventures: Get Your Steps In
One of the best things about the Bay Area is the access to incredible outdoor spaces. If you’ve been cooped up in lecture halls or visiting museums, getting out for some fresh air is a must.
The Stanford Dish Hike
This is THE quintessential Palo Alto outdoor experience. The "Dish" is a 150-foot-diameter radio telescope perched in the foothills behind campus. It's an active research facility, so you can't get too close, but the 3.7-mile paved loop trail that winds around it is open to the public & incredibly popular with locals, students, & faculty.
The trail is hilly, so be prepared for a bit of a workout, but the views are your reward. On a clear day, you can see for miles – across the campus, over to the Bay, & sometimes even as far as San Francisco & San Jose. It's a fantastic place to go for a run, a brisk walk, or just a leisurely stroll to clear your head.
So what's the deal with the giant dish? It has a pretty fascinating history. Built in the 1960s during the Cold War, its original purpose was to study the ionosphere & even spy on Soviet radar signals by bouncing them off the moon. Later, it was used to communicate with spacecraft, including NASA's Voyager probes as they journeyed to the outer solar system. Today, it’s still used for radio astronomy & satellite calibration. So as you're hiking, you're actually walking around a real piece of scientific history.
A few things to know before you go: parking can be tricky, especially on weekends. It's mostly street parking along Stanford Avenue, so get there early or be prepared to walk a bit. This is another situation where checking Prked for a nearby driveway could save you a lot of hassle. Also, there's very little shade on the trail, so bring water & wear sunscreen, even on a cloudy day. And sorry, no dogs or bikes allowed.
Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve
If you’re looking for a flatter, more serene outdoor experience, head to the Baylands. It’s the largest tract of undisturbed marshland in the San Francisco Bay, which is pretty amazing when you think about how developed the rest of the area is.
There are 15 miles of trails that wind through tidal and freshwater habitats, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. You can see dozens of different species of birds here, especially during the migratory season. It's a great place to go for a walk or a bike ride, with beautiful views of the salt marshes & the Bay. It’s easy to miss, tucked away near Highway 101, but it’s a real local treasure.
Filoli Estate & Gardens
Okay, this one is a bit of a drive (about 15 miles north of Palo Alto), but it’s SO worth it. Filoli is a stunning country estate with a magnificent 16-acre formal garden. It feels like you’ve been transported to the English countryside.
You can tour the historic house, which gives you a glimpse into early 20th-century high society, but the real star is the garden. It’s meticulously maintained & changes with the seasons, so there’s always something new to see. From the walled garden with its espaliered fruit trees to the fields of daffodils in the spring, it's a photographer's dream. They also have a network of nature trails on the larger 654-acre estate.
Shopping & Dining: Fuel Your Adventures
All this exploring is bound to make you hungry. And if you’re in the mood for a little retail therapy, Palo Alto has you covered.
Stanford Shopping Center
This is not your average mall. The Stanford Shopping Center is a beautiful, open-air shopping destination with lush gardens, fountains, & a collection of over 140 stores. You’ll find high-end retailers like Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, & Tiffany & Co., alongside more mainstream favorites.
It’s a great place to just walk around, even if you’re not planning on buying anything. There are also plenty of dining options, from casual cafes to upscale restaurants, so you can easily make a whole afternoon or evening of it.
The Best Places to Eat in Palo Alto
Palo Alto has a surprisingly diverse & delicious food scene. Here are a few recommendations to get you started, ranging from casual to fancy:
- For a casual, can't-go-wrong meal: Check out Gott's Roadside. It’s a modern take on the classic American diner, with amazing burgers, Ahi poke tacos, & a great selection of California wines & beers. It’s got a fun, communal atmosphere with picnic tables, & you don’t need a reservation. Another local favorite is Zareen's, which serves up incredible Indian & Pakistani food in a fast-casual setting. It's super popular with students for a reason!
- For a nice sit-down dinner: Tamarine is a fantastic choice for upscale Vietnamese food with a modern twist. The ambiance is chic & it's a great spot for a date night or a special occasion. If you're in the mood for Italian, Terún on California Avenue is famous for its authentic Neapolitan pizza.
- For something a little different: Rangoon Ruby serves up delicious Burmese food, which is a must-try if you've never had it. Oren's Hummus is an authentic Israeli spot that's both affordable & incredibly tasty.
- For a classic steakhouse experience: Sundance The Steakhouse is an old-school joint on El Camino that does steak right. It's a bit of a splurge, but perfect for a celebratory meal.
Arts, Culture & a Dash of Tech History
Beyond the campus museums, Palo Alto has a few other spots that are worth a visit.
The Stanford Theatre
Step back in time at the Stanford Theatre on University Avenue. This isn't your modern multiplex; it's a beautifully restored 1920s movie palace that shows classic films from Hollywood's Golden Age. The interior is lavish, & they even have a Wurlitzer organ that rises from the stage to be played before some shows. It’s a truly unique & magical movie-going experience.
The Hewlett-Packard Garage
For all the tech lovers out there, this is a must-see pilgrimage site. Tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood is a humble garage that is widely considered to be the "Birthplace of Silicon Valley." This is where Bill Hewlett & Dave Packard started their little company, HP, back in 1939.
You can't go inside, but you can see it from the sidewalk & there's a historical marker out front. It's a cool reminder that some of the world's biggest companies started with a simple idea in a small space. Speaking of small spaces, if you're a student or a young professional moving to the area for an internship or a new job, finding a place for your extra stuff can be tough. That’s where a service like Prked comes in handy for storage, too. You can rent out someone's empty garage, attic, or basement to store your belongings. It's way more affordable & convenient than a traditional storage unit.
Unique & Off-the-Beaten-Path
Want to really explore Palo Alto like a local? Here are a few quirky spots that are a little off the radar.
- The Barron Park Donkeys: Yes, you read that right. In the Barron Park neighborhood, there’s a small pasture that’s home to two donkeys named Perry & Niner. They are local celebrities & have been a beloved part of the community for years. You can go say hello (from a respectful distance, of course).
- The Palo Alto Art Center: This is a great community art center that often has interesting rotating exhibits. The best part? Admission is free! It’s a nice, low-key alternative to the larger museums.
- El Palo Alto: This is the literal tree that Palo Alto is named after. It's a massive, 1,000-year-old Coast Redwood located in El Palo Alto Park. It’s a living piece of history & a cool thing to see.
Day Trips: If You Have More Time
If you have an extra day or two, Palo Alto is a great home base for exploring some of Northern California's most famous destinations.
- San Francisco: The city is just a short drive or Caltrain ride away. You can easily spend a day exploring iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, & Golden Gate Park.
- San Jose: Head south to San Jose, the largest city in Silicon Valley. Here you can find the Tech Interactive museum, the quirky Winchester Mystery House, & catch a Sharks hockey game at the SAP Center.
- The Coast: In less than an hour, you can be at the beautiful beaches of Half Moon Bay or Santa Cruz.
Hope this was helpful! This area really does have something for everyone. Whether you stick to the campus or venture out into the surrounding towns, you're bound to have an amazing time. Let me know what you think if you check any of these places out!
