Things to do in Palo Alto

Activities, attractions and tours

A winding road in a hilly area with a prominent tower and a distant cityscape.
A wooden bridge over a river, surrounded by autumn-colored vegetation and a distant mountain.
An aerial view of a city with a prominent sports field, modern buildings, and a mountainous backdrop.
Rolling green hills, a distant town, and a cloudy sky.
A calm lake surrounded by grassy fields and trees under a partly cloudy sky.

Things to do

Woodside: Filoli Historic House and Garden Entry Ticket

Filoli Historic House and Garden Entry Ticket

RM159
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Filoli Historic House and Garden Entry Ticket
Private Walking Tour in Stanford University

Stanford University Personalized Self-Guided App Tour

RM20
per traveller
Stanford University Personalized Self-Guided App Tour
Two Flight Indoor Skydiving Experience

Two Flight Indoor Skydiving Experience

RM490
per traveller
80% of travellers recommend
Two Flight Indoor Skydiving Experience
Rock Climbing 2 - Beyond the Basics

Outdoor Rock Climbing - Level 2

RM486
per adult
Outdoor Rock Climbing - Level 2
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Most popular experiences in Palo Alto

Tours & day trips

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Filoli Historic House and Garden Entry Ticket

Filoli Historic House and Garden Entry Ticket

10.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is RM 184 per adult
Filoli Historic House and Garden Entry TicketOpens in new tab

Adventure & outdoor

See all 4 activities
Filoli Historic House and Garden Entry Ticket

Filoli Historic House and Garden Entry Ticket

10.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is RM 184 per adult
Filoli Historic House and Garden Entry TicketOpens in new tab

Attractions

See all 4 activities
Filoli House & Garden

Filoli House & Garden

Activity duration is 2 hours
9.6 out of 10 with 5 reviews
Price is RM 159 per adult
Filoli House & GardenOpens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

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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 RM 3,946 per traveller*
Redwood&Crater Lake National Park&Oregon 3-Day Tour from San FranciscoOpens in new tab

What to do in Palo Alto

Stay near popular Palo Alto attractions

A historic building with arches and a tower, surrounded by palm trees and greenery.
Photo by Jerry Lin (Jinfu Lin)
Open Photo by Jerry Lin (Jinfu Lin)

Stanford University

8.8/10 (4,609 reviews)
Stanford University's iconic Main Quad and Hoover Tower anchor this prestigious academic haven with picturesque gardens. Explore the Cantor Arts Centre and Rodin Sculpture Garden for a refined cultural experience.
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Where to stay in Palo Alto

Find the best Palo Alto areas for the activities you enjoy most.
A university campus with red-roofed buildings, a prominent clock tower, and a sunset sky.

University South

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

An aerial view of a city with a mix of modern and historic buildings, a central intersection, and surrounding greenery.

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 Allied Arts Guild.

A winding road through a green landscape with a prominent tower and a cityscape in the distance.

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 Art Center and Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo.

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.

A stone corridor with arches and columns, leading to a door at the end.

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.

A sunset over rolling hills with scattered trees and a clear sky.

Menlo Park

A vast salt flat with a winding road and distant mountains.

Mountain View

A modern multi-story building with red and white accents, located at a street corner with visible street signs and parked cars.

Redwood City

A tree-lined path with a fence on either side, leading towards a sunset.

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 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 kilometres from the centre, and Barron Park, which is roughly 3 kilometres 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.