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Things to do around Stanford

Stanford University is adjacent to the small city of Palo Alto (pop. 69,000), the historic heart of Silicon Valley. It’s well connected to San Jose, Berkeley, Oakland and San Francisco, and makes a good starting point for exploring Northern California.

Stanford Campus

Nearby campus

  • Stanford Theatre Beautifully restored cinema showing classic movies. Hitchcock Festival through May 31, tickets $7. 221 University Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Hoover Tower Observation tower offering panoramic views over campus. 550 Jane Stanford Way, Stanford, CA 94305 · Wikipedia · Map
  • The Dutch Goose Classic local hangout serving burgers, beers, and Stanford-adjacent nostalgia. 3567 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, CA 94025 · Map
  • Stanford Shopping Center Open-air mall. 660 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, CA 94304 · Wikipedia · Map

Silicon Valley history and culture

Numerous technology companies are headquartered in Palo Alto and the surrounding area: Apple in Cupertino, Adobe in San Jose, Google in Mountain View, Meta in Menlo Park, Oracle in Redwood City, Hewlett-Packard (and, until 2021, Tesla) in Palo Alto itself. Several of them have visitors’ centers. The best way to understand the area’s tech history is undoubtedly the Computer History Museum.

Tech

  • Computer History Museum One of the world’s best tech museums, tracing computing from early machines to modern AI. Currently featuring an Apple@50 Exhibit. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. 1401 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Apple Park Visitor Center Cafe, AR campus model, store, and a rooftop observation deck to gaze upon the Apple headquarters. 10600 N Tantau Ave, Cupertino, CA 95014 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Google Visitor Experience A “new destination for everyone” with cafe, Google Store, pop-up shop for local businesses, and community & art events. 1981 Landings Dr, Mountain View, CA 94043 · Map
  • HP Garage (no visits, view from the street only) The shack where from 1939 Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard ran their tiny research lab, development workshop and production facility for experiments in electronics. 367 Addison Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Intel Museum Free museum at Intel HQ tracing the history of the microprocessor and silicon manufacturing. 2200 Mission College Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95054 · Wikipedia · Map
  • The Tech Interactive Hands-on science and technology museum in downtown San Jose, strong on interactive exhibits. 201 S Market St, San Jose, CA 95113 · Wikipedia · Map

Non-tech

Bookstores

  • Bell’s Books Family-run Palo Alto institution since the 1930s; new, used, and rare books. 536 Emerson St, Palo Alto, CA 94301 · Map
  • Stanford Bookstore Large campus bookstore with Stanford merchandise, academic books, stationery, and decent design section. 519 Lasuen Mall, Stanford, CA 94305 · Map
  • Moe’s Books Legendary multi-floor (mostly) used bookstore with excellent art, design, philosophy, and rare book sections. 2476 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Dog Eared Books Beloved indie used and new bookstore with a strong local character. 900 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110 · Map
  • Green Apple Books Large independent bookstore with substantial used-book sections, multiple interconnected rooms. 506 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118 · Wikipedia · Map
  • City Lights Bookstore Historic Beat-era bookstore and publisher in North Beach, San Francisco. 261 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133 · Wikipedia · Map
  • John Windle Antiquarian Bookseller Specialist in Blake, medieval manuscripts, fine bindings and fine press printing. By appointment. 49 Geary St, Suite 233, San Francisco, CA 94108 · Map
  • Argonaut Book Shop Antiquarian bookshop founded 1941, specialising in Californiana, voyages, and the American West. 1145 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94109 · Map

San Francisco and up

  • The Pressroom and Mercantile at The Box SF Working letterpress shop and antique ephemera store in a former printing plant. Over 15 million pieces of printed history — labels, posters, packaging, broadsides — and restored handpresses dating to 1838. Free entry; tours by arrangement. 1069–1073 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94103 · Map
  • Letterform Archive Essential pilgrimage for ATypI attendees: 100,000+ items spanning the history of letterforms, lettering, type design and graphic design. Visits by appointment. 2325 3rd St, Suite 425, San Francisco, CA 94107 · Map
  • Cheaper Than Therapy Playful comedy club with creative cocktails and a laid-back vibe. 108 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94102 · Map
  • Palace of Fine Arts Centerpiece of the 1915 Panama–Pacific International Exposition: a Beaux-Arts colonnade and domed rotunda set around a lagoon. The adjacent Palace of Fine Arts Theatre hosts films, lectures, and live performances. 3601 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA 94123 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Golden Gate Bridge The defining Bay Area landmark. Walk or bike across for the full experience. Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA · Wikipedia · Map
  • Mission District Murals Outdoor street art galleries reflecting the city’s culture and history. Mission District, San Francisco, CA · Wikipedia · Map

Museums

  • SFMOMA One of the leading modern art museums in the U.S. 151 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94103 · Wikipedia · Map
  • de Young Museum Fine arts museum in Golden Gate Park, with American art, textiles, and a free observation tower. 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Legion of Honor European art and antiquities in a dramatic neoclassical building above the Pacific. 100 34th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121 · Wikipedia · Map
  • California Academy of Sciences Aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum in Golden Gate Park. 55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Alcatraz Island Former prison turned museum. Book tickets early, it sells out fast. San Francisco, CA 94133 · Wikipedia· Map
  • Cable Car Museum Free museum in the working powerhouse that drives San Francisco’s still-operating cable car system, a piece of living 1870s technology. 1201 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94108 · Wikipedia · Map

Must visit neighborhoods

  • Alamo Square Hilltop park famous for the “Painted Ladies” Victorian houses framing the downtown skyline. Steiner St & Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94117 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Mission Dolores Park Sloping lawn at the heart of the Mission, perfect for people-watching with views of downtown.Dolores St & 19th St, San Francisco, CA 94114 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Chinatown Oldest and one of the largest Chinatowns outside Asia; enter via the Dragon Gate on Grant. Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108 · Wikipedia · Map
  • North Beach / Little Italy Historic Italian quarter, home to City Lights, Caffe Trieste, and the Beat legacy. North Beach, San Francisco, CA 94133 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Fisherman’s Wharf + Pier 39 See the sea lions and grab clam chowder. Pier 39, San Francisco, CA 94133 · Wikipedia · Map
  • The Castro The historic heart of LGBTQ+ San Francisco, anchored by the landmark 1922 Castro Theatre and the legacy of Harvey Milk. Castro St & Market St, San Francisco, CA 94114 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Haight-Ashbury Birthplace of the 1967 Summer of Love, with vintage shops, record stores, and colorful Victorian houses along the Panhandle of Golden Gate Park. Haight St & Ashbury St, San Francisco, CA 94117 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Hayes Valley Compact, walkable neighborhood of independent boutiques and cafés, gateway to the opera and symphony at the Civic Center. Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102 · Wikipedia · Map
  • The Mission Historically Latino district with the city’s best taquerias, the Mission Dolores murals, and a vibrant arts scene. Mission St & Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110 · Wikipedia · Map
  • The Embarcadero The waterfront promenade from the Ferry Building to Fisherman’s Wharf, with Bay Bridge views and the city’s best farmers’ market on Saturdays. The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94111 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Japantown One of only three Japantowns left in the US, with the Peace Pagoda, bookstores, and the Kabuki cinema. Post St & Buchanan St, San Francisco, CA 94115 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Sausalito Houseboat-lined waterfront town across the Golden Gate, easily reached by ferry from the Embarcadero. Sausalito, CA 94965 · Wikipedia · Map

Berkeley / East Bay

  • UC Berkeley Campus Iconic university campus with Sather Tower (the Campanile), Sproul Plaza, and Doe Library. Free, self-guided. Berkeley, CA 94720 · Wikipedia · Map
  • BAMPFA — Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive UC Berkeley’s art museum and film archive in a striking modern building, with over 28,000 works and a renowned film programme. 2155 Center St, Berkeley, CA 94720 · Wikipedia · Map
  • UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley 34-acre garden in Strawberry Canyon with one of the most diverse plant collections in the country. 200 Centennial Dr, Berkeley, CA 94720 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Lawrence Hall of Science Interactive science museum on the hills above campus, with planetarium shows and panoramic Bay views. 1 Centennial Dr, Berkeley, CA 94720 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Tilden Regional Park Beloved East Bay park in the Berkeley Hills, with hiking, a steam train, botanic garden, and Lake Anza. Berkeley, CA 94708 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Oakland Museum of California Excellent museum dedicated to California’s art, history, and natural sciences — a real local gem. 1000 Oak St, Oakland, CA 94607 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Chez Panisse Alice Waters’ restaurant, birthplace of California cuisine. Reservations essential for the downstairs restaurant; the upstairs café is easier. 1517 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Telegraph Avenue The historic spine of student Berkeley: bookstores (Moe’s, Pegasus), record shops, street vendors and cafés. Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704 · Wikipedia · Map

Wine

  • Napa Valley California’s most famous wine region, with 400+ wineries along a 30-mile stretch. Be aware that it’s expensive, the traffic is heavy, and the fees are high. A full day will cover two or three appointments. Napa County, CA · Wikipedia · Map
  • Sonoma Generally less crowded and less corporate than Napa, more pastoral. The town of Sonoma itself has a walkable historic plaza. Healdsburg further north is excellent for food. Sonoma County, CA · Wikipedia · Map
  • Santa Cruz Mountains wineries Much closer to Stanford (Ridge Vineyards’ Monte Bello estate is in Cupertino, Thomas Fogarty above Woodside). Less famous, often more interesting, and you can do it in half a day. Santa Cruz Mountains, CA · Wikipedia · Map

Exploring the Bay Area and further afield

  • Muir Woods National Monument Towering redwoods just outside San Francisco. Parking and shuttle require advance reservations. 1 Muir Woods Rd, Mill Valley, CA 94941 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Point Reyes National Seashore Windswept peninsula north of SF with lighthouse, tule elk, oyster farms, and the San Andreas Fault visible at the Earthquake Trail. 1 Bear Valley Rd, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Monterey Bay Aquarium World-renowned aquarium on Cannery Row, with kelp forest tank and sea otters. About 90 minutes south. 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Carmel-by-the-Sea Charming coastal town with galleries, cottages, and white-sand beach. Pairs well with Monterey.Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93923 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Big Sur Dramatic coastline along Highway 1 with Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls, and Pfeiffer State Park. A long day from Stanford; better as an overnight. Big Sur, CA 93920 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Big Basin Redwoods State Park California’s oldest state park, in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Old-growth coast redwoods with striking post-fire ecology. Timed entry. 21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA 95006 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Easy, accessible old-growth coast redwood loop near Felton — pairs naturally with a Santa Cruz day. 101 N Big Trees Park Rd, Felton, CA 95018 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Mystery Spot Mid-century roadside Americana in the redwoods above Santa Cruz: a deliberately tilted shack where balls roll uphill. California Historical Landmark No. 1055. 465 Mystery Spot Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95065 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Año Nuevo State Park Elephant seal rookery on the coast about an hour south of Stanford. 1 New Years Creek Rd, Pescadero, CA 94060 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Pescadero Small coastal farming village inland of Highway 1. Duarte’s Tavern for artichoke soup and olallieberry pie; Pigeon Point Lighthouse nearby. Pescadero, CA 94060 · Wikipedia · Map
  • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk California’s classic seaside amusement park, home to the 1924 Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster. 400 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 · Wikipedia · Map