The city, like no other place on the planet, forever invites innovation.
Palo Alto is synonymous with colossal ideas. Home to Fortune 500 powerhouses, buzzworthy startups, impactful nonprofits and tomorrow’s technology superstars, this is where ideas come to life. The 26-mile area that makes up the city—and includes Stanford University—is the birthplace of Silicon Valley. Whether visitors stay for a day or a week, here are the places not to miss this fall.
Rooftop nights at The Graduate Hotel in Palo Alto
WHERE TO DINE
A great place to start a culinary adventure is downtown. The highly walkable area is more than a commercial hub. It also serves as a social and cultural hot spot. Regardless of how often visitors explore this vibrant area of Palo Alto, there’s always something new to taste and discover.
A great cup of coffee can be the start of incredible things. For proof, look no further than Coupa Cafe (coupacafe.com). With nine Bay Area locations, including seven in Palo Alto, Coupa Cafe has fueled plenty of founders and developers. Since opening its first location in 2004 on Ramona Street in downtown Palo Alto, Apple’s Steve Jobs, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg and Google’s Sergey Brin have been spotted at the cafe. So associated with Silicon Valley’s start-up culture, the coffee shop’s cup has appeared in movies, including The Social Network, The Muppets, Larry Crown and the mini-series The Dropout. Most recently, a 60 Minutes From top: Rooftop nights at The Graduate Hotel in Palo Alto; The Graduate brims with eclectic public spaces. episode about AI was filmed in the cafe where coffee beans roast in small batches and menu items hail from Venezuela. The owners also support local nonprofits and community organizations, including Human Rights Watch.
The Graduate brims with eclectic public spaces.
Chef Robbie Wilson of Bird Dog (birddogpa.com), has food lovers taking note. The toque honed his skills by working in kitchens and attending French culinary school. That hard work and devotion allow him to elevate simple ingredients and traditional techniques. Gourmands love the ambitious menu, hip environment, stellar cocktails and wine list.
A visit to Palo Alto wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Sundance The Steakhouse (sundancethesteakhouse.com) on El Camino Real, located steps from Stanford University. The steakhouse was opened in 1973 by the Fletcher family matriarch Bob Fletcher. Bob’s sons, Galen and Aron Fletcher, now lead the resto, serving steak, seafood, soups, salads, side dishes and cocktails. In addition to dinner, guests love the lunch menu, weekday happy hour and private dining spaces. Don’t miss the memorabilia of local sports heroes dating back generations.
Hotel Citrine
Evvia Estiatorio (evvia.net) is pure alchemy between traditional Hellenic hospitality and California agricultural bounty. Created by Greek ex-pats, the team behind the restaurant has perfected the welcoming experience and a laudable menu (order the grilled whole fish with lemon-oregano vinaigrette and horta)— reminiscent of its sister restaurant, Kokkari Estiatorio (kokkari.com) in San Francisco.
Newer to the Greek dining scene but equally noteworthy is TAVERNA (tavernarestaurant.net) located on Emerson Street. Co-founders Thanasis Pashalidis and Hakan Bala are devoted to creating a gathering place for Palo Altans to eat, drink and enjoy life. The fresh and flavorful foods, creative Greek cocktails and outstanding wine list served in a cozy and bright restaurant will transport guests to the Greek Isles.
Organic maitake mushrooms at Bird Dog
Reposado (reposadorestaurant.com) takes Mexican dining to new heights with menu items made from scratch. We love the modern yet warm dining room and the creative cocktail list, including the exceptional margaritas. Sun of Wolf (sunofwolfpa.com) focuses on flavorful dishes, family and friends. With a focus on food’s ability to unite people, Sun of Wolf stands out for its impressive menu items and vibrant drink options.
Bistro Elan (bistroelan.com) has been a local favorite for over 25 years. Located in The California Street business district—and close to the weekly California Ave Farmers Market—Bistro Elan celebrates the produce of small farmers and sustainable seafood. The bistro is a respite in bustling Palo Alto. Its Dungeness crab salad and chilled soups are especially welcome during warm fall days.
WHERE TO STAY
The Clement Palo Alto (theclementpaloalto.com) is unlike any other in the region. The urban retreat sits minutes from downtown and adjacent to the university. It’s also an all-inclusive property, making it the sought-after location for high-level executives and travelers seeking indulgent quality. All meals and beverages, including alcohol, are included in the room rate. Guest meals are prepared in an open kitchen by on-site personal chefs. Menus follow the seasons, ensuring the upscale and exceptional quality of the cuisine. The residential feel of this boutique hotel combines both comfort and luxury. But, the experience is strictly for guests as the restaurant and bar are not open to the public.
Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University
The newly opened Graduate Hotel (graduatehotels.com/palo-alto) brings the town a hip and luxuriously vintage vibe. The hotel’s rooms offer tributes to notable Stanford alumnae, including Sigourney Weaver, John McEnroe and John Steinbeck. While its customer service is outstanding, the hotel makes for a comfortable environment by not taking itself too seriously. Fun and fancy are around every corner. Of particular note is the rooftop: Presidents Terrace restaurant-bar with a view instantly became a popular spot for locals to enjoy happy hour.
NOBU Hotel Palo Alto (paloalto.nobuhotels.com), located downtown, merges Japanese design and California coastal luxury living. The 73-room boutique hotel sits close to downtown cafes, boutique shopping and international fare. And be sure to dine at the hotel’s eponymous restaurant for some of the most innovative and exquisite Japanese delights.
The chef’s kitchen at The Clement Palo Alto
Hotel Citrine, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel by Marriott (hotelcitrine.com) is chic, eco-conscious and serves Silicon Valley’s sustainability-focused traveler. The hotel’s signature restaurant, Wild Onion Bistro & Bar (hotelcitrine.com/dining), sources locally and takes its cue from its Northern California location. Whether lounging on the patio of the spacious pool or warming up around the fire pit, Wild Onion’s space affords guests an assortment of experiences.
WHAT TO DO
The city’s robust visual art scene is further evidence that creativity goes far beyond the magic of bits and bytes in Palo Alto. Three prestigious museums sit next to one another on Stanford’s campus. The Anderson Collection (anderson.stanford.edu) houses significant modern and contemporary American art. To delve into history via art, visit the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University (museum.stanford.edu), which has been open since the university’s founding. The 24 galleries of the Cantor Arts Center hold more than 38,000 artworks spanning 5,000 years. The adjacent Rodin Sculptural Garden (museum.stanford.edu) offers the opportunity to marvel at 20 of Rodin’s sculptures in a stunning outside setting.
Gamble Gardens
The city’s annual Palo Alto Festival of the Arts (paloaltochamber.com), hosted by the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, is a beloved community event celebrating local art and wine. The bash showcases the work of more than 300 fine art purveyors. The Palo Alto Art Center (cityofpaloalto.org) is a must-visit for any art enthusiast. This contemporary art space features rotating exhibitions, art classes and workshops for children and adults.
Local artists find Palo Alto an inspirational place to create. Ria Krishnan of Ria Krishnan Fine Art (riaKrishnan.com) describes herself as a storyteller capturing fleeting scenes in life. “I moved to the Bay area in 2016 from Portland, Oregon, and love it,” she says. “I create in my home studio and also on location. Palo Alto has a lot of parks that feed my inspiration. Some places that come to my mind are the Gamble Gardens and the Palo Alto Baylands. I have painted en plein air at these locations. Most of what I paint is inspired by local scenes, with the bonus of being just a few hours from Yosemite and Lake Tahoe.”
Tunitas Beach is an easy drive from Palo Alto.
WHERE TO SHOP
Confessed shopaholics will find Palo Alto a haven of all things retail. The Stanford Shopping Center (simon.com) is an outdoor oasis with equal parts high-end shopping center and park. Regulars appreciate the stunning floral beds and potted plants that change every season. Anchored by Neiman Marcus (neimanmarcus.com), Bloomingdales (bloomingdales.com), Nordstrom (nordstrom.com) and Macy’s (macys.com), the center is a local go-to as well as a destination for out-of-towners.
Gleim the Jewelers (gleimjewelers.com), also in the Stanford Shopping Center, has been a trusted jeweler to generations of Palo Altans and Bay Area natives. Family-owned for more than 90 years, Gleim offers a complete range of services and the personal attention of a small shop. Gleim’s specializes in fine gems and a wide range of estate jewelry—bringing one-of-a-kind treasures from past generations.
Shoppers also love Town & Country Village (tandcvillage.com) for its fitness studios, wellness shops, locally owned and national chain restaurants, gift shops, a bookstore, fine clothing stores and casual boutiques. The center does feel like a village, where purveyors are welcoming and strolling is easy.
Begin with breakfast at Manresa (manresabread.com) or Douce France (cafedoucefrance.com), a beauty treatment at LABELLE Day Spa & Salon (labelledayspas.com), lunch at Gott’s Roadside (gotts.com), shopping at Fillmore & 5th (fillmore5th.com) and Hudson Grace (hudsongracesf.com), dinner at Teleferic Barcelona (telefericbarcelona.com) and dessert from Kara’s Cupcakes (karascupcakes.com) or Antoine’s Cookie Shop (antoinescookieshop.com).
COMMUNITY GIVING BACK
A powerful example of a community in action is The Karat School Project (theksp.org), established in 2017 to provide a skills-based education to children and women living in extreme poverty. The Karat School Project is breaking the cycle of poverty and inequality through education, empowerment, advocacy and investment. Their work has both immediate influence and a profound future-changing impact.
Older community members are a vital focus of support in Palo Alto. Peninsula Volunteers, or PVI (1pvi.org), now in its 75th year, redefines what it means to be a senior in society. The impactful organization offers an array of life-affirming activities. For example, it helps combat the loneliness, isolation and lack of opportunities for engagement that seniors often face. By working to build trust with their clients, PVI changes lives. Its clients include individuals recovering from hospital stays, experiencing cognitive decline, facing financial challenges or navigating the challenges and changes that come with aging.
PVI also addresses hunger and health inequities by providing weekly groceries to more than 400 families monthly, daily home meal deliveries and on-demand transportation services. Concierge caregiver and family support services and innovative community partnerships will meet the challenges ahead for the growing senior community and their family members.
The Palo Alto Art Center
Gamble Garden (gamblegarden.org) is a nearly three-acre property that is free and open to everyone 365 days a year. With formal gardens for strolling and working gardens for educational programs, visitors appreciate that the garden’s location allows them to drop by for a few minutes or stay for an extended visit. A team of hundreds of volunteers, including the “The Dirty Knees Brigade,” maintain the gardens. Offering classes and other educational opportunities and donating over a ton of fresh produce from its working gardens to local food banks each year, Gamble Garden feeds body and soul.
“From toddlers reaching up to smell a pretty flower to teens taking prom photos amid the blooms, Gamble Garden is a resource that is loved by the entire community,” says Joan Zweip, president of the garden’s board.
World-famous branding from the coffee geniuses at Coupa Cafe
Headquartered in Palo Alto, Peninsula Open Space Trust, or POST (openspacetrust.org), ensures that the people and creatures who inhabit the Peninsula and South Bay all benefit from the region’s natural wonders. By protecting open spaces on the Peninsula and South Bay, POST’s work benefits residents and visitors of Palo Alto, East Palo Alto and surrounding communities. Transplants to Palo Alto often marvel at how lives revolve around the outdoors. Access to nature is at the heart of what makes this community extraordinary. In addition to checking out POST’s online resources, visiting its offices is a great way to learn about their work. The converted auto repair shop is now an open, airy, sustainably designed space offering daily inspiration.
Canopy (canopy.org) is devoted to making the midpeninsula more beautiful and comfortable by creating urban forests. Working toward a future where all residents can step outside and find the shade of a tree to enhance their lives, Canopy is a statewide grassroots advocacy and engagement model. The organization’s programs bring together environmental justice, nature education and community resilience. Urban forests have proven benefits in improving public health, combating climate change, and creating vibrant, livable cities.
Palo Alto Forward (paloaltoforward.com) also strives for a better future. Its team finds ways to make Palo Alto a model community by addressing the needs of increasing populations while tackling the realities of climate change—the group recognizes that building housing near jobs and retail is critical.
“With Caltrain connections, farmers’ markets, an active nonprofit community, bike boulevards and incredible shopping locales, people can live car-free in Palo Alto. It’s a gift to our well-being and physical health, not to mention the environment,” says Amiee Ashton, executive director of Palo Alto Forward. “We advocate for all the good stuff that makes for an interesting city and life.”
Photography by: COURTESY OF THE GRADUATE HOTEL; COURTESY OF THE GRADUATE HOTEL; BY MICHAEL KLEINBERG; BY KELLY PULEIO; COURTESY OF BRAND; COURTESY OF BRAND; COURTESY OF BRAND; COURTESY OF BRAND; COURTESY OF BRAND; COURTESY OF BRAND
